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9 Best Tours & Experiences in Lyon, France

Last Updated: December 9, 2022 · France

Any trip to Lyon wouldn’t be complete without experiencing a tour of its iconic food, history, and neighborhoods.

One reason I love Lyon’s tours is that most of them are locally guided and offer well-rounded, immersive experiences!

If you’re new to the area, you will soon discover that Lyon is an incredibly fun city with a deeply rich history, culture, and cuisine. And as the gastronomic capital of France, it’s no surprise that Lyon offers some of the best food and wine tours in the region.

A tourist-crowded cobbled street in the heart of Old Lyon.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

But as you’ll come to discover for yourself, Lyon is much more than meets the palette.

The city also boasts gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and neighborhoods dripping with old-world charm and history.

Lyon is truly a fusional city where remnants of the Middle Ages meet in strange harmony with modern life.

I still get “pinch me” moments thinking about how I got to live there for over a year!

Renaissance-era dwellings and courtyard in the heart of Vieux Lyon.

In this guide, I’m sharing the top tours to take so that you can experience authentic Lyon.

The tours range from boat tours to wine tours to walking tours to bike tours and more, and cost anywhere between $15 and $100. There is something for every budget and interest!

So without further adieu, here is my list of the best tours of Lyon, France!

Table of Contents show
The Best Tours & Experiences of Lyon
1. La Saône River Sightseeing Cruise
Or How About This 3-Course Gourmet Dinner Cruise?
2. Vieux Lyon Food Tour with a Local
3. City Center Lyon Discovery Tour by Segway
4. Lyon & Croix-Rousse by E-Bike with Tasting
5. Half-Day Beaujolais Wine Tour From Lyon
6. Customized Private Walking Tour of Lyon
7. Musical Walking Tour of Lyon with Wine Tastings
8. Self-Guided Audio Tours of Lyon
9. Lyon Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

The Best Tours & Experiences of Lyon

1. La Saône River Sightseeing Cruise

  • 🏷 Price: < $15
  • ⏰ Duration: 1 hour
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5, 1120+ reviews
  • ➡️ Click here to book
Credit: Les Bateaux Lyonnais (via GetYourGuide)

If you are only visiting Lyon in a day and are short on time, then this 1-hour river cruise is a great way to see and hear about Lyon’s long history.

On this quintessential Lyon boat tour, you will float by the historic district of Vieux Lyon while listening to commentary in French and English from your guide.

The boat will turn around at the confluence of the two rivers of Lyon—La Rhône and La Saône—which will allow you to see and learn about their distinctions and importance throughout Lyon’s history. As such, you will also float by the very modern and contemporary district of Lyon, appropriately named “La Confluence”, with its uniquely-designed museums, buildings, and residences.

Tip: The cruise will depart and return beside the pedestrian bridge Passerelle du Palais de Justice. And, while there is outdoor and indoor seating on the boat, it would be wise to arrive early to snag your desired seat (especially in the summer).

Or How About This 3-Course Gourmet Dinner Cruise?

The same company, Les Bateaux Lyonnais, also offers a 2.5-hour lunch cruise or romantic dinner cruise.

Credit: Les Bateaux Lyonnais

Similar to the 1-hour day cruise, you will learn about the history of Lyon on these boat tours. However, this time, slow down the journey and turn up the romance!

With the lights illuminating the city at night and a gourmet 3-course dinner, this boat tour turns into a romantic dinner cruise that will make your experience of Lyon extra special.

✨ PS — Save money with the Lyon City Card pass ($30) which already includes a free river cruise (April–October), plus unlimited free public transport, entrance to 23 museums, and more. Get the details here.

Offered via GetYourGuide

2. Vieux Lyon Food Tour with a Local

  • 🏷 Price: < $85
  • ⏰ Duration: 4 hours
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5, 130+ reviews
  • ➡️ Book on GetYourGuide | Book this experience on Viator
Photos: Lyon Original Tours (GYG)

Seeing as Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France, you can’t visit the city without indulging in its food! On this 4-hour guided food tour, you will get to sample approximately 17 different Lyonnais dishes at 5 local establishments across Vieux Lyon.

There are all types of flavors found in Lyon, but the city is most famous for its regional specialties, which you can discover in one of the traditional “bouchons Lyonnais” of Lyon. Many of these local restaurants are clustered in Lyon’s old town.

But, wait! This Lyon food tour doesn’t just introduce you to its food! You will also glean insight from your local Lyonnais guide, who will tell and show you Old Lyon’s must-see highlights including the famous secret passageways (traboules), the historic Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptise, and more.

Consider it lunch to go, maybe? In any case, if you’re a foodie, you won’t want to miss out on this guided tour. Please note that this tour cannot cater to restricted diets (i.e. vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc).

3. City Center Lyon Discovery Tour by Segway

  • 🏷 Price: < $35
  • ⏰ Duration: 1 hour
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5, 60+ reviews
  • ➡️ Book on GetYourGuide
Credit: Mobilboard Lyon (GYG)

If you want an easy introduction to the city, a segway tour is a fun and quick way to cover a lot of ground in little time. This is a GetYourGuide-Certified tour, with high ratings and reviews.

On this brisk, one-hour tour, you will glide on your segway through the city center and along the banks of the Rhône River. Along the way, pass through three classic Lyonnais plazas:

  • Place des Jacobins
  • Place des Céléstins
  • Place Bellecour (the biggest pedestrian square in Europe!)

If you would like to extend your time to have a bit more fun in the sun and explore more of Lyon’s top attractions, you can book this 1.5-hour tour or 2-hour tour that takes you along both sides of the Presqu’Île to see the Rhône and Saône rivers and Parc de la Tête d’Or.

4. Lyon & Croix-Rousse by E-Bike with Tasting

  • 🏷 Price: < $55
  • ⏰ Duration: 3 hours
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5, 75+ reviews
  • ➡️ Book on GetYourGuide
The colorful "Mur des Canuts" Canuts mural in La Croix-Rousse, Lyon.
Explore lesser-visited sites like this Mur des Canuts in Croix-Rousse

Want to see even more of Lyon? If so, this locally guided e-bike tour of Lyon will take you on a fun excursion exploring the beating heart of Lyon, starting with my favorite district—the boho neighborhood of La Croix-Rousse (where I lived for a year!)

Ride up to the hill of Croix-Rousse with ease on your e-bike to learn about the district’s colorful history of the silk weavers, the traboules, and the Canut Revolt.

Finish off the tour by discovering various nooks and crannies of Croix-Rousse and Hôtel de Ville and a final tasting in an understated wine bar.

This guided tour will take you off the city’s beaten path to give you an atypical experience of Lyon.

5. Half-Day Beaujolais Wine Tour From Lyon

  • 🏷 Price: < $105
  • ⏰ Duration: 4 hours
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5, 115+ reviews
  • ➡️ Book on GetYourGuide | Book this experience on Viator
The village of Oignt in Beaujolais, France (Source: Getty Images)

Seeing as you are in the heart of the Rhône-Alpes region of France, going on a wine tour is a must. Luckily, there are half-day wine tours from Lyon that take you into Beaujolais wine-making country located just 40 minutes north of Lyon.

This area of the Rhône region is known as Pierres Dorées (Golden Stones) due to the characteristic golden stonework of its storybook medieval villages.

On this tour, not only will you get to taste and learn about the different Beaujolais wines, but you will also get to visit one or all of the charming towns of Châtillon d’Azergues, Oingt, or Bagnols.

This half-day wine discovery tour from Lyon is very well-rated and would be ideal if you are spending 2 days in Lyon or even 3 days.

Click here to read more reviews of this wine tour

6. Customized Private Walking Tour of Lyon

  • 🏷 Price: < $45
  • ⏰ Duration: 2-6 hours
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5, 245+ reviews
  • ➡️ Book on GetYourGuide

If ever you want a private walking tour of Lyon, this locally guided and fully-customizable walking tour will allow you to see the best of Lyon tailored to your preferences.

Depending on how much time you’d like (from 2 up to 6 hours), this tour will not only show you the top attractions and things to do in Lyon, but also insider insight into where to buy groceries, the best way to get around, and more.

I would recommend this tour for you if you came to Lyon with a special interest or are burning with questions to make the most of your time 1:1 with a local. Walk away from this private walking tour (pun intended) with a newfound understanding of not only the city but also its people and culture.

7. Musical Walking Tour of Lyon with Wine Tastings

  • 🏷 Price: < $55
  • ⏰ Duration: 2.5 hours
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.9/5, 11+ reviews
  • ➡️ Book on GetYourGuide
Credit: Lyon Pedicab Tours (GYG)

Music and history lovers will especially appreciate this fun tour of Lyon! On this quirky music and wine tour, a local Lyonnais, who is passionate about music and the city, will take you on a guided walking tour highlighting Lyon’s musical heritage.

“Experience Lyon through its music heritage as you journey through the town’s musical scenes and history through interacting with the historical, social and architectural influences.”

Lyon Pedicab Tours

Before your tour finishes, you’ll waltz into a wine bar (or two) near the bohemian Croix-Rousse neighborhood and listen to local Lyon artists and musicians.

8. Self-Guided Audio Tours of Lyon

If you prefer to explore the city at your own pace, then the French company REWIND offers you an immersive self-guided tour of Lyon with the aid of various audio guides (4–11€).

The stories of each place to visit in Lyon are recounted by professional guides and actors and will automatically trigger when you begin your self-guided walk. You can start from anywhere in the city.

Here are several different DIY audio guide tours of Lyon:

  • La Croix-Rousse Neighborhood Audio Guide
  • Vieux (Old) Lyon Audio Guide
  • Fourvière Hill & Gallo-Roman Ruins Audio Guide

They also offer a fun Lyon Scavenger Hunt and a French Resistance audio guide. After your digital purchase, download the Rewind app to access your DIY tour on your smartphone.

9. Lyon Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

  • 🏷 Price: < $25
  • ⏰ Duration: Valid 1 Day
  • ⭐️ Rating: 4.3/5, 530+ reviews
  • ➡️ Book on GetYourGuide
Credit: Lyon City Tours (GYG)

Lastly, if you have a full day to spare in Lyon and wish to see a bit of everything the city offers, then you can see the sights of the city from the top of an open-top double-decker tourist bus.

Valid for one day, this ticket allows you to hop on and hop off at Lyon’s most popular attractions—from Fourvière Hill to Parc de la Tête d’Or to the famous food market of Les Halles de Paul Bocuse.

Alternatively, and for nearly the same price, you can purchase a 1-Day Lyon City Card pass which grants you unlimited public transport (metro, tram, bus), plus free entrance to 23 museums, 40+ activities, and includes a guided cruise.

Whether you choose to discover Lyon via its flowing rivers or riverside quays or via its regional wine on a day trip tour, I’m sure you will leave Lyon with fond memories. Please come back and let me know what you think of your tour and the city!

PIN THIS GUIDE TO LYON TOURS FOR LATER

Photo of Lyon, France in the evening with Fourvière and buildings illuminated. Photo with text overlay "9 Best Tours Lyon"

By: Bri · In: France

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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My travel blogging journey 👇✨ I started my f My travel blogging journey 👇✨

I started my first travel blog online in 2013 when I moved to France for 14 months as part of my undergrad study abroad program. It really was just a diary-style online journal recounting my cultural and outdoor adventures. 

Then, in 2015, I started another blog inspired by my adopted cat, Yoda, who was just one year old back then and was about to move across the world to Nepal with me. It was there, while living in Kathmandu that I bought my first travel blog domain, which evolved into what you now know as Bucketlist Bri (bucketlistbri.com). Slowly, through trial and error, I learned how to navigate SEO, monetization, and beyond.

It wasn’t until late 2019 that I decided to take travel blogging seriously, as in, pursue it as my career. Up until then, to keep me afloat while getting my master’s degree abroad, I worked as a freelancer writer on Upwork.com. Meanwhile, I was starting to publish more frequently on my travel blog.

I don’t have to explain what happened in 2020 to the travel industry, but what I can tell you is that I didn’t give up on my travel blog.

Now, three years later, and TEN years after I first started publishing online, I am a fully self-funded travel blogger. 

That means I don’t need to land brand sponsorships or grow my Instagram (although, tourism boards are a lovely addition and warmly welcomed), nor do I need to write for others/publish freelance pieces, or work in an unflexible 9-5 to fund my nomadic travel lifestyle. 

I cannot understate that I did not have this vision for myself in 2013. Or 2015. Or even in 2019. It wasn’t until I started to commit myself to the work, the hustle, the dream, that I even saw the dream unfold. Still unfolding. 

I believe your life leaves you clues. Some of those won’t work out, but some will. 

And in those that do, there’s a common thread that, ultimately, weaves a beautiful tapestry (but that you might not see until much later and those that do are very fortunate). 

I know in my heart that I was always supposed to write. That’s my common thread. I just didn’t know it looked like blogging. 

(Continued in the comments!)

#travelblogging #travelbloggerlife #mystory
Behind the scenes of our dive in the Sea of Cortez Behind the scenes of our dive in the Sea of Cortez 🦭

1. Paul finishing his last dive to complete his PADI Open Water certification!! 🥳

2. A curious sea lion pup coming to play with us! 🥹 

3. Sea lions soaking up the sun on the rocks of Los Islotes ☀️ 

4. The arch of Los Islotes, which we dove under! 🤿 

5 & 6. After our first dive, these humpback whales surfaced right by the boats! This was our first time seeing these beauties up close — just amazing! 🐋 

7. You can see Paul’s nerves and excitement all in one here as he listens to his awesome dive instructor, Gus! @thedivegurusmex 

8. Dolphins followed our boat as soon as we left the marina on day 1. On day 2 of our dives, a huge pod of dolphins put on a show for us just off Espíritu Santo Island! 🐬 
 
9. My pure joy and excitement after my first encounter with the sea lions of Los Islotes 🥲 (sound on)

10. Divers will have an idea of what Paul is doing here before he suits up 😂 💀 

Still can’t believe we got to see all of this amazing marine life in one weekend! La Paz/the Sea of Cortez was named one of the top dive destinations in the world for a reason — have you added it to your bucket list yet?! 💛 

#padi #diving #scubadivers #sealions #losislotes #islaespiritusanto #humpbackwhale #dolphins #marinelife #seaofcortez #lapazbcs #natgeowild #wildlifeplanet #paditv #bajacaliforniasur #vivamexico
The first night after moving to Oaxaca as nomads, The first night after moving to Oaxaca as nomads, we were told by two tourists in our Airbnb, “Two people we know were mugged by dudes on motorbikes just a couple of months ago. Don’t walk at night!”

Our reaction went something like: “Oh, yikes, okay... Thanks for letting us know.” 😳 

That same night, Paul and I went out to grab food and were extremely anxious. I swear I jumped at every moving shadow—and I felt guilty about it!

At that point, I had lived in Mexico on and off for nearly three years. The Mexico that I know is pretty safe for tourists regardless of what the media portrays. 

But this sudden heeding of danger dug its claws into my core and made its nest in my stomach.

For the next two months, Paul and I walked back to our local apartment—a 10–15 minute jaunt outside of the historic center in a no-tourist neighborhood—multiple nights a week after getting dinner or drinks.

And I’m happy to share that we felt very safe. 

Apart from that first night, we felt safe the entire time in Oaxaca City, even at night (and, most importantly, despite the scary warnings of “true stories” from those tourists).

Of course, could we have gotten lucky during those two months and escaped danger? Yes, absolutely. 

But luck is not the whole reason, nor the point! 

Mexico is safer than most people have been told or taught, and my hope is that one day you will experience this lovely, welcoming, beautiful country for yourself! 🧡

Read the blog for more details about safety in Oaxaca + Mexico on my blog @bucketlistbri .com

#mexico #oaxacadejuarez #oaxacalotienetodo #oaxacacity #mexicotravel #nomadadigital #mexicosorprendente
Add “diving with sea lions” to your adventure Add “diving with sea lions” to your adventure bucket list!! 

Literally a dream come true to be in the water with these playful pups 🦭✨🤿

Just watch your head and fingers, they like to nibble 😂 

📍 Los Islotes, Baja California Sur
🤿 w/ @thedivegurusmex 

Would you do this!?! Send to someone who would!🦭🥹

#divinglife #losislotes #lapazmexico #bajacalifornia #scubadivingmag #padi #divemexico #bajasur #seaofcortez #sealions #espíritusanto #mexicoadventures #ecotourism #ecoblogger #adventureblogger #wildlifelover
Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
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