Stories · France
3 days in Lyon
The story I wish I had read before going.
Lyon is earned slowly. This story follows a simple logic: the icons early in the morning, the neighbourhoods when the city wakes up, and evenings left to chance. 3 days, one thread, no stress.
Day 1 · Museums and culture
To start, meet me at Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. 4.8 out of 5 across 41,359 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s Parc des Hauteurs. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (1,505 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
Later, I make my way to Site Notre-Dame de Fourvière - Fondation Fourvière. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Lyon is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · The icons
Early in the morning, head to Mur des Canuts. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. 4.7 out of 5 across 6,917 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Mur des Tapis. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or also check Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
In the afternoon, meet me at Escaliers Montée des Carmélites. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Lyon does the rest.
Day 3 · Museums and culture
In the morning, head to Musée Cinéma et Miniature. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (14,739 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Then, head to La Longue Traboule. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. 4.6 out of 5 across 427 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
After lunch, I make my way to Jardin Archéologique. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Lyon is a city that tells itself better at night.
If you’re still hungry
I still have a few up my sleeve: Fresque des Lyonnais, Parc de la Tête d'Or, Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière, Eclipso Lyon, Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Mini World Lyon. Your call.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
There. The rest is yours: the detours, the encounters, the café that becomes your own.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.