Things to do in Lyon

1. Fourvière - Lyon

Fourvière is a hilly district west of the old town in Lyon, France. Fourvière is the site of the Lugdunum settlement by the Romans in 43 BC and is gently sloping down from north to west. Today the Fourvière is synonymous with the Catholic Basilica of Fourvière. The Fourvière is home to various religious buildings and is affectionately known by the natives as the ‘hill that prays’. It is a designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Taking guided tours of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, and the various ancient ruins are some of the best things to do in Fourvière. The Roman Baths are situated to the south side of the hill, close to the Roman Theatre that was built in 15 BC and the Roman Odeon that is now a museum. The Roman Odeon is also a sight of summer operas and concerts. Amongst the top things to do in Fourvière is to attend the Festival of Lights which is held annually on the 8th of December across the district. Watch thousands of citizens display candles at their windows and flock the grounds of the basilica, which is a sight that alone ensures that you check out what to do in Lyon.

2. Parc de la Tête d'Or - Lyon

The Parc de la Tête d'Or is an urban park in the city. Based on 290 acres of land, the Park of the Golden Head features a large lake, a small zoo, various sports facilities, and other key points of interest. Today, the Parc de la Tête d'Or is the most visited park in Lyon that opened its gates in 1857. For the better part of the past century, it has been the top recreational destination. Boating during the summers in the lake is one of the most popular things to do in Parc de la Tête d'Or. Water activities are available from mid-spring until mid-autumn, allowing visitors to engage in canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and much more. The mini zoo is closely located to the lake and houses reptiles, deer, elephants, giraffes, and various other animals. Cycling is also amongst the top things to do in Parc de la Tête d'Or. If you don’t have one you can always rent different types of cycles from the entrance on hourly rates. Serene during the winters and lively in the summers, the Parc de la Tête d'Or is one of the best recreational spots of the city.

3. Lyon Cathedral - Lyon

Lyon Cathedral is dedicated to the infamous Saint John the Baptist. It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral which also houses the seat of the Archbishop of the city. One of the top things to do in France is to visit amazing cathedrals in the country such as the Lyon Cathedral. The cathedral had a lot of importance as the Pope made it a center of all churches in the kingdom of Gaul in the 11th Century. The church is located in the old town area. One of the best activities to do in this Cathedral is to enjoy the large plaza in front of it. The cathedral is just a few minutes’ away from the Saone River. A metro station nearby makes it easier for tourists to visit this place while moving about efficiently in the city to visit other places of interest as well. The visit to this amazing landmark is one of the first things to do in France when traveling to Lyon. The modern cathedral was established on the ruins of an ancient church and was completed in 1476. The cathedral organ was installed in the 19th Century and it was rebuilt in 187 to have 30 stops. It functioned as the most important church in the cityfor a long time.

4. Bellecour square - Lyon

The Bellecour Palace or the Bellecour square which it is known as a large square which rests in the center of the city Lyon in France. The square is known as one of the largest open squares in the city and it has multiple different attractions for tourists to enjoy. A tall statute of Louis XIV is the Equestrian statute. The statutes as well as the Ferris wheel are star attractions and it has two different pavilions.

5. Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, Odeon of Lyon - Lyon

The Ancient Theatre of Fourvière is a unique structure of Roman heritage. It was built on a hill in the center of the Roman city. Visiting this place is one of the best things to do in France if you are interested in Roman structures and are a history enthusiast. The main theater was established in around 15 BC and had a diameter of 90 meters. The structure was widened a few centuries later to accommodate around 10,000 people for the shows. One of the best things to do in Ancient Theatre of Fourvière is to enjoy the famous festival of Nuits de Fourvière which takes place each year at the theater. The Ancient Theatre of Fourvière is a popular tourist site and it is among the things to do in France list of most travelers. The site is also a famous cultural center as well. It also has some other Roman structures which are in a poor condition now and cannot be recognized properly. There is also a smaller theater close to the original theater known as the Odeon of Lyon. The site still shows the foundations of a proper stage and stone seating galleries for people who would have come to watch the show.

6. Boat trip over the Saône river - Lyon

The Soane river is a nice and calm river which offers scenic beauty on either side of the river. The river takes you through the city and around historic buildings and monuments. In the boat trip over the Saone River the tourists can enjoy a healthy ride which allows them to enjoy the warmth of summer. Boat ride takes you through the water and lets them enjoy the location and allows them to explore the city and it offers a wide variety of activities such as dips in the water and fishing.

7. Musée Gadagne - Lyon

The Musée Gadagne is a famous museum, which is located in the center of old Lyon. It is situated in the Saint-Jean quarter of the Vieux Lyon. It houses a Museum of World Puppets and a Museum of the city's History. One of the best things to do in France certainly is to visit this amazing museum. The building of the Musée Gadagne was classified as a national historical monument in 1920. But it was found that the place had become dormant and did not attract visitors. This is why it underwent a major overhaul and was then reopened in 2009. The museum is housed in a famous building constructed in the early sixteenth century. It was created as a house for a very rich Florentine family that lived there. Amongst the best things to do in Musée Gadagne is to enjoy its beautiful courtyard that connects the two buildings that form the structure. The museum has now been reopened with a lot of vigor and contains many elements with the focus on archaeological finds. The modern upgrade has also greatly increased the overall area of the museum buildings and the size of the museums has now doubled and houses many important exhibits. The visiting of Musée Gadagne is now amongst the most important things to do in France for all visitors.

8. Pont de l'Universite - Lyon

Pont de l'Universite also known as the Bridge of the University is located in the Lyon area of France. The bridge is made over the crossing of the Rhone. The site was built first and foremost on an old ferry to be used by university buildings which were created between 1876 and 1898. The bridge was damaged in 1944. It was a temporary old wooden bridge and was rebuilt using metallic arches and it continues to rest on the stone piers.

9. Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls - Lyon

The Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls is a famous sanctuary which was dedicated to the cult of Augustus and Rome. It was celebrated by many Gallic tribes who had gathered at Lugdunum, the Roman name of the region of Lyon in ancient times. There are many things to do in France as a tourist which must include seeing all the designated historical monuments such as the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls. The amphitheatre was built at the foot of a hill which was then placed at a point where the two rivers of Rhone and Saone met. A recent expedition in 1957 allowed the origins of this place to be confirmed as part of the sanctuary of Rome and Augustus. The recent find dates the building to g=have been built around 19 AD. The Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls was financed by an old Gallic family that held Roman citizenship. Some of the things to do in the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls include a look at the stones which have ancient markings as well as viewing the many architectural elements still surviving in modern times from a very old construction. There are many fine things to do in France, which certainly include viewing this fine amphitheatre which could house 1,800 royal guests in its glory days.

10. Opéra Nouvel - Lyon

The Opera Nouvel known as the Opera National de Lyon. The original opera house has gone through multiple redesigning attempts. The original opera house was started in the year 1985 to 1993. Inside the opera house which was created as an existing free standing building which was opened for the people to enjoy their shows. The Opera house has been able to enjoy undistinguished flow of art. The opera house today is a tourist destination which allows for proper exterior façade and creation of the hid fly tower.