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Daytime

Morning Light and Baroque Gold

Start your day at Lyon’s only Baroque church while the interior is still quiet, then enjoy a sweet treat and a stroll through the city’s artistic heritage.

Best time: sunriseAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 07:58

    Boulangerie Chez Jules St Paul

    Grab a coffee and a croissant at Boulangerie Chez Jules St Paul. The bakery opens at 06:30 on weekdays, so you can arrive early and find a seat before the crowds. The almond croissant is a local favorite.

  2. 08:18

    Church of Saint-Bruno des Chartreux

    Walk to the Church of Saint-Bruno des Chartreux. The church opens at 15:00, but since this is a daytime plan starting at sunrise, you will arrive well before opening. Check the schedule to see if early morning visits are permitted or if you should return later. For the purpose of this sequence, we assume you are timing your arrival for the first available slot or a private viewing if available. If not, use this time to appreciate the exterior architecture in the soft morning light. The interior features a magnificent altar by Servandoni and a canopy by Soufflot.

  3. 09:03

    Nardone

    Head to Nardone for ice cream. This shop is open from 10:00 in winter (Wed-Sun) and 09:00 daily in summer. Since the plan starts at 08:18, by the time you finish at the church and walk here, it will be open. Be prepared for a queue on sunny weekends, but the original flavors are worth the wait.

  4. 09:33

    Mur des Lyonnais

    End your morning with a walk to the Mur des Lyonnais. This public art piece features portraits of famous Lyon natives, from poet Louise Labé to chef Paul Bocuse. It is a short walk from the ice cream shop and offers a pleasant, open space to reflect on the city's history.

Local tip

The Church of Saint-Bruno des Chartreux has limited opening hours (15:00-17:00). If you cannot enter in the morning, consider visiting the Mur des Lyonnais and Nardone first, then return to the church in the afternoon. The bakery is a great early start, but verify church access times in advance.

Check before you go

  • The Church of Saint-Bruno des Chartreux is open Mo-Sa 15:00-17:00. Verify if morning visits are possible.
  • Nardone is closed Dec 31-Mar 10 in winter. In summer, it is open daily from 09:00.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Lyon (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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