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:
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Credit Shutterstock.com/Kollawat Somsri
To appreciate Lyon’s glorious riverbanks and architecture at a wonderfully relaxed pace, embark on a river cruise. The city is bisected by two rivers that join in the city itself – the Saone and the Rhone.
There are two tour options. The shorter one (on simpler boats) focuses on the romantic Saone, travelling up to the historic Barbe Island. The longer one (on more luxurious craft) takes you along a central stretch of the Rhone, providing lunch or dinner. With the longer tour, you take in a greater number of Lyon’s great monuments and quarters and get a fuller commentary.
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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.
For shorter trips, arrive at the Quai des Celestins (nearest metro Vieux Lyon or Bellecour) 15 minutes before departure. For the longer restaurant boat tour head to Quai Claude Bernard (accessible via the tram stop of the same name).
Tickets can be bought without prior reservation at the quay itself, though booking in advance is recommended for the dining tours.
Lunch and dinner are prepared onboard by a Toque Blanche chef from Lyon. On the normal tour boats, light refreshments are available.
Riverboats tours run in the afternoon all year, with morning/night tours too in summer. Restaurant boat tours run March to January for lunch and dinner. Check website for exact departure times.
Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
This well-established company has been providing Lyon river cruises for many years. Its boat, Hermes, for dining cruises, is large and comfortable. The Saone cruise boats are much simpler.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.3 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:
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.4 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[0.5 miles]
Classically smart, refined hotel right in the centre of Lyon’s main shopping quarter, close to both rivers and to the central art museums.
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Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.5 miles]
Gorgeous convent converted into a calm luxurious retreat, aloof on the Fourviere hillside overlooking Lyon.
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Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.5 miles]
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Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.8 miles]
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