Attractions in Lyon

Lyon National Opera House
This 300-year old structure's glass dome has become a landmark in the city of Lyon, situated between the City Hall and the Rhone River. The first five levels of the opera house are underground while the six higher levels are encased in vaulted glass. The hall seats 1,200 people and boasts six vertically stacked balconies overlooking the orchestra level. This Italian style hall is lined with black wood with gold accents, adding an air of luxury to the venue. The National Opera House is home to the Lyon Opera Ballet company as well as the world renowned Opera House Orchestra. The acoustics are so good that it currently makes more recordings than any other French opera house as well as releasing award winning CDs of operas, including 12 world premieres, ballets and symphony performances.

Historical Museum of Lyon & International Puppet Museum
To the right of the river Saône lies the 'Hôtel Gadagne', one of the most prestigious Renaissance mansions in Lyon. It was built between 1511 and 1527 for the two sons of a spice merchant but fell into the hands of the prominent Gadagne family in 1545. Being rich Florentine bankers, they threw many extravagant parties, infamously linking their name to the mansion. In 1902 the city of Lyon bought the mansion and in 1921 its Historical Museum was installed on the premises. It wasn't until 1950 that the International Puppet Museum became an addition to the mansion's contents. The Gadagne Museum houses paintings, sculptures and furniture as well as archaeological relics dating back from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, illustrating Lyon's vast history. The International Puppet Museum displays hand puppets, stick puppets, marionette puppets and sliding bar puppets originating from countries such as Japan, Cambodia, England, Italy, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Russia.

Vieux Lyon along the banks of the Saone River is old Lyon’s centrepiece. Rue St Jean is its main street and lined with many gothic and renaissance buildings, the whole area is a UNESCO world heritage site. Living up to its considerable gastronomic reputation Lyon’s bouchons (traditional inns) can be found along the cobbled alleyways of the old town. No visit to Lyon would be complete without a visit to some of these lively establishments. Still within Vieux Lyon another highly intriguing attraction are the city’s famous covered passageways (traboules), linking private courtyards to neighbouring streets and built in the Renaissance they were used to great effect by the French Resistance during the cities’ occupation in World War Two.

Presquile (peninsula) is the thin strip of land between Lyon’s two rivers the Rhone and the Saone, this is the hub of smart Lyon with many of the city’s shops being located here. Its main attraction is one of Europe’s largest squares, the grand Place Bellecour.

The Fourviere neighbourhood, at the top of the impressive hill that is its namesake, is topped by the Fourviere Basillica. Surrounded by many Roman ruins including the Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre, historically speaking it is an immensely important area with magnificent views, the summit is reached via the funicular railway.

The Croix-Rousse District (Lyon’s other hillside neighbourhood) on the northern end of the Presquile is the historic centre of Lyon’s silk weaving industry, nowadays it is awash with boutiques and restaurants.

Lyon has a good selection of galleries and museums but one of the best is the Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux Arts), one of the largest collections of its kind in France highlights include paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt as well as Monet and Picasso.

Ampithéâtre Gallo Romain
17 Rue Cléberg, 69005, Lyon, France, FR
Tel: +33 04 7238 8190
On top of Fourvière, this hilltop amphitheatre was constructed during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Tiberius. During its long history, it has been used as a forum of entertainment, a place to swear loyalty to Rome, and a place of execution.
Lyon tourist attraction open: daily
Lyon tourist attraction admission: free

Atelier de Soierie
33 Rue Romarin, 69001, Lyon, France, FR
Tel: +33 04 7207 9783 / +33 04 7828 6184
Silk has been manufactured in Lyon for some 400 years and this tradition continues today in a small number of workshops. Attractions include both demonstrations and displays, with this popular silk workshop allowing visitors to see the techniques used here to create fine silk objects.
Lyon tourist attraction open: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 19:00
Lyon tourist attraction admission: free

Cathédrale St. Jean
Place St. Jean, 69005, Lyon, France, FR
Tel: +33 04 7842 2825
Lyon's main church has been situated on this site in some form or other since the 4th century. The building that you can see today was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and is a fine example of how churches evolve through the centuries. Its astronomical clock, featuring the moving figures of the Annunciation and a lone bugle player, is always popular with tourists. Listen out for its chimes at 12:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00.
Lyon tourist attraction open: Monday to Friday – 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 19:30; Saturday to Sunday (and holidays) – 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.