Lyon
France · Country profile
Lyon is the second city of France and the country’s great gastronomic capital, a city of the two rivers, the Rhone and the Saone, that grew rich on the silk trade and kept a handsome, medieval and Renaissance heart that the modern city respects and protects. The old town of the peninsula between the rivers, with its traboules, its painted courtyards and its towers, is a world heritage, and the hill of the Fourvière with its basilica and its Roman theatres crowns the whole. The city is famous for its food, its Michelin tables and its bouchons, the traditional bistros of the Lyonnais kitchen, and its cultural life, its festivals and its university energy give it an intellectual, confident charm. Elegant, food-obsessed and deeply romantic, Lyon is France at its most complete.
About Lyon
Lyon is a city in France. The city's documented population is around 520,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and French is spoken; the dialling code is +33. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport.
The Traboules, the Basilica and the City of the Two Rivers
Lyon is an elegant, confident city where the food is the culture and the rivers set the rhythm. The old town, the peninsula and the hill of the Fourvière hold the classic visitor circuit, while the working districts of the Croix-Rousse and the new quarters hold the daily life and the design. The city is walkable, well-connected and safe, and its museums, its markets and its famous restaurant scene give it a depth that rewards several days. It is also the perfect base for the region, a short trip from the Alps and the vineyards of the north. It is a city that takes its pleasures seriously, and the pleasure here is mostly at the table.
The Bouchons, the Reservations and the Festival of Lights
The food is the essential part of the experience, and the bouchons of the old town and the great tables of the city need reservations in the season. The best seasons are the spring and the autumn, when the weather is mild, and the famous festival of lights in December is a spectacular addition to the calendar. The old town, the Basilica of the Fourvière and the museums are the essential circuit, and the metro and the trams make the two rivers easy to cross. The French is the language, the euro is the currency and the cards are universal. Take the funicular to the basilica and save the legs for the old town lanes and the courtyards.
The Halles, the Funicular and the Illuminations of the December
The traboules, the hidden covered passages of the old town and the Croix-Rousse, are the secret heart of Lyon, and the guided walks open the painted courtyards of the Renaissance. The Basilica of the Fourvière crowns the hill with its views over the whole city, and the Roman theatres below it add the ancient layer. The food halls of the city, the Halles with their stalls of the Lyonnais specialities, are the great indoor market, and the bouchons of the old town serve the classic dishes, the quenelles, the andouillette and the praline tarts. The peninsula and the banks of the rivers hold the shopping and the cafes. The festival of lights in December turns the whole city into a spectacular, and the metro closes late on the weekends.
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- Country
- France
- Population
- 520,000
- Coordinates
- 45.7256, 5.0811
- Capital
- Paris
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- French
- Calling code
- +33
- Country code
- FR
Entry requirements for France
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting France for tourism.
Getting to Lyon
Airports we list for Lyon:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in France
Other cities we cover in France:
Frequently asked questions
Is Lyon the capital of France?
No — the capital of France is Paris.
What currency do I need in Lyon?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in France include French.
What is the dialling code for France?
The international dialling code for France is +33.
Which airport should I fly into for Lyon?
Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) is the airport we list for Lyon.
How far is Lyon from the nearest airport?
Lyon is about 285 km from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit France?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter France visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Lyon? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.