The five top things to see in Lyon, France

If you are traveling through France and thinking of adding a stop in Lyon, here’s a list of the top 5 things to see. We spent three nights in Lyon, feeling like we had seen much of the city.

I join my friends Cindy and Mary Ann every week, and we share our five favorite things of the week. Since I’m traveling, it seemed to make sense to share my favorite things while traveling and at the moment we are in Lyon, leaving for Provence later today!

First, we had never visited Lyon, but I knew there was a wonderful brocante in Lyon, so that is pretty much why we chose this city as one of our stops. Many people I follow visit Lyon a few times a year to source antiques for their shops, and since I am now a shop owner, Lyon was a must-stop while in France.

1. Lyon is a Very Walkable City

After spending the better part of the previous day shopping at the flea market (a very successful shopping event indeed), the next day, we set out on foot to explore the city as it was our first time in Lyon.

Although Lyon is the third largest city in all of France, considering its size and population, it remains a very friendly city for biking and walking. On this particular day, we chose walking. And after over 30,000 steps and more than 13 miles, we had covered most of the things we’d wanted to see.

The boulevards are spacious, and you can actually walk side by side in most areas without much bobbing and weaving. There is also plenty of shopping along the way and endless places to stop in for a coffee, drink, or snack – all of which we did.

2. Les Puces du Canal

In just a few years, Les Puces du Canal has become France’s second largest flea market. There are over 200 boutiques, five restaurants, a bar, and a boulangerie. You can even park right on the premises for €3.

What You’ll Find: Vintage Coat racks, Loads of Furniture, and Ashtrays

The brocante or flea market is open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, with Sunday being the most popular. Or so we are told. We only made it on Thursday and Saturday. There were a few more shops open on Saturday, but if you can only make it one day, you’ll be happy on any of the days.

Copper & Tureens

We had a few things in mind, like vintage linens and copper, and we were not disappointed. Everyone was lovely and very helpful. We could negotiate with our limited French and the help of Google translator.

Silver, Dishes, Glassware, Linens & Cups

If you’ve ever wanted to visit a brocante in France, this one would not leave you feeling like maybe there’s a better one! If you are looking for silver, china, porcelain, pottery, copper, linens, enamelware, furniture, postcards, glassware…it was all here.

2. The Old Lyon District & Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

Cobblestone Streets of Old Lyon

We stumbled upon Old Lyon on our first afternoon. It was past lunch and way too early for dinner, but we enjoyed walking the cobblestone streets and having a coffee at one of the many cafes. So many alleyways, courtyards, and small streets to explore.

Old Lyon is at the base of Fourvière Hill. It’s a long and steep climb to the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, but the view is incredible. According to Trip Advisor, it’s 580 steps. I lost count way before that. There were a few cafes at the top, and I could only imagine how difficult they must be to staff. Either they find people living on the hill or someone who doesn’t mind a difficult commute!

The view at night from Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere

3. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

Most people think of Paris as the food capital of France, but it’s actually Lyon. And Paul Bocuse is one of the most legendary culinary figures of France. Many of the great French chefs were trained by him, so it’s only appropriate that this spectacular food hall bears his name. If you’re a foodie like us and find yourself in or passing through Lyon, this food hall is a must-stop along the way.

Cheese, Pralines & Tarts

Oysters & Chicken

It’s a great collection of carefully hand-picked vendors consisting of butchers, specialty cheese shops, bakeries, fishmongers, fresh country vegetables, any other kind of French food specialty vendor imaginable, and a handful of restaurants serving traditional Lyonnaise dishes to the locals at lunchtime. 

The restaurants start to fill up around 11 am

It’s best to get there earlier in the day. We started our visit with a brief stop for a coffee and chocolate croissant which didn’t disappoint. We had planned a picnic at a local park for that evening and decided to get all of our food there – a fresh baguette, four different kinds of Chevre cheese (some of the absolutely best cheese we’ve ever had), a country pate, some roasted chicken flavored Lays potato chips (you have to try them and won’t believe how good they are) and finished with a praline tart. Lyon is known for its bright red-colored praline baked goods. 

4. Where to Stay in Lyon

If you are visiting Lyon, I highly recommend the Airbnb Indusoft Apartment where we stayed. It’s in a central location and is more like staying at a nice hotel with amenities like a washer/dryer and a fully equipped kitchen. They had everything you could possibly need. The kitchen was well stocked. There were dishwasher and laundry pods so that you didn’t have to buy a thing.

The apartment seems to be newly renovated and so beautiful! It was exactly as in the photos and in pristine condition. Directions for accessing the building (also clean and beautiful) were easy and felt very secure.

The apartment is ideal for short or long-term stays. You really could not ask for more and the price is beyond reasonable.

The Airbnb was across the river from old Lyon, which meant a lovely walk over one of many bridges connecting the city’s two sides. The city is very walk and bike-friendly. Lyon is the third largest city in France, but it felt very manageable.

Leaving for Provence today; let’s go see what Mary Ann and Cindy found this week.

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Cindy Hattersley