Lyon 3-day Itinerary
France
Where to go and what to see in Lyon to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Anna Brooke.
Bucket list experience:
Paul Bocuse established himself as one of France’s leading chefs in the 1960s. He was a pioneer of nouvelle cuisine, producing lighter, more innovative dishes than had traditionally been served in fine French restaurants.
You come here for the legacy of this culinary legend; he was born in the restaurant building in 1926. Since his death in 2018, the house motto is ‘tradition in motion’, with menus offering both iconic dishes and new, wow-worthy avant-garde plates.
One of Bocuse’s signature dishes is the VGE black truffle soup, the initials referring to ex-President Valery Giscard d’Estaing, for whom the dish was first created. It’s a classic and a must.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
France
Where to go and what to see in Lyon to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Anna Brooke.
The restaurant is open all year round, from Wednesday to Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[5.8 miles]
Playful school-themed hotel in the heart of Vieux Lyon, offering city views, and a terrace bar where nightly light shows illuminate the facade.
Official star rating:
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[6 miles]
Uniquely stylish hotel-with-restaurant stretching across several historic houses in the centre of Vieux Lyon. Perfectly located for sightseeing.
Official star rating:
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[6.1 miles]
Gorgeous convent converted into a calm luxurious retreat, aloof on the Fourviere hillside overlooking Lyon.
Official star rating:
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[6.4 miles]
Chic family-run hotel smack bang in shop-filled Presqu’Ile, offering a cool restaurant serving excellent breakfast and innovative takes on classic Lyonnais dishes.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Auberge-Rhone-Alpes, France
The gastronomic capital of France, if not the world, is not just a foodie hotspot. With UNESCO-protected architecture and awe-inspiring Roman ruins, its one for history lovers too..
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[5.5 miles]
A major fine arts museum in a former abbey, housing a vast collection of world-class works from Antiquity to the 21st century.
Best for ages: 18+ | £7
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[6.1 miles]
Lyon’s historic and most beautiful quarter, notably filled with fine 16th-century French Renaissance mansions. An insight into how the city thrived in the Renaissance.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[6.2 miles]
The Fourviere hillside offers panoramic city views, a huge 19th-century basilica, two exceptional Roman theatres, and illuminating insights into Lyon’s Roman past.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[6.3 miles]
The city’s iconic hilltop basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is famed for its sweeping panoramas, stained glass windows and bucolic Rosary Garden.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[3.4 miles]
Lyon’s pretty promenades along the Rhone and Saone rivers lead past iconic urban landscapes to waterfront cafes and picnics on bucolic beaches. Perfect for leisurely walks and cycle rides.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free | 2+ hours
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[4.3 miles]
The city bustle evaporates in this sumptuous park, home to rose and botanical gardens, and a savannah-themed animal park. Strolls or cycle its paths and in summer, go boating on the lake.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[5 miles]
Amid the hilly slopes of the former silk-weavers’ quarters, this wonderful daily market (except Mondays) is the locals’ spot for filling up on gourmet treats and taking in the views.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[5.2 miles]
The go-to spot for shopaholics, this covered passage at the foot of Croix-Rousse houses Lyon’s edgiest fashion and interior design boutiques, plus a hand full of arty pop-up stores.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free