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Lyon Culture & history

Our most recommended Lyon Culture & history

Lyon: 2-Hour Panoramic E-Bike Tour

1. Lyon: 2-Hour Panoramic E-Bike Tour

Begin your tour with a 15 minute training session on how to safely use your e-bike. Then head out on a fantastic trip discovering the two must-see hills of Lyon: Fourvière and Croix-Rousse.  During the tour, you will stop at various points to admire views over Lyon. You will be impressed by the beautiful panorama visible from the hill of Fourvière, famous for its wonderful basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. You will also see a Gallo-Roman theater and your guide will describe to you the foundation of Lyon, called at that time Lugdunum.  Next head to the Croix-Rousse, well known for the silk industry, where the Canuts or silk workers once lived and worked. Admire the beautifully painted buildings which now make up one of the city's most unique and vibrant districts.

Lyon: Old Town City Exploration Game

2. Lyon: Old Town City Exploration Game

Discover Lyon’s fascinating history and attractions while you solve clues around the old town. Explore this charming city in France by playing a quest with your friends, significant other, or family. Each clue leads you from one place to another, so you won't need a map, GPS, or guide. As you solve the problems and guess the answers, the secret story of each location is unlocked. The city game will take you about 1.5 hours to complete, but there’s no time limit, allowing you to go at your own pace. You won't need a guide, just download the app, go to the starting point, and begin the adventure.

Lyon Unesco: Private Walking Tour

3. Lyon Unesco: Private Walking Tour

Embark on a guided walking tour of Lyon and discover city highlights, from the dramatic views at Fourvière to the secretive traboules. Step inside the Guignol Puppet Museum and enjoy insightful commentary from your guide. Begin your guided adventure at Place Saint-Jean and scout out the hidden traboules. Learn about these covered passageways and how weavers and silk merchants used them to transport fabrics. Stroll along the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon and stop at the Guignol Puppet Museum. Explore the interior and see the creative and unusual puppets. Continue to the Fourvière Hill and marvel at the Basilica perched on top. Hear fun facts and stories about Lyon as your guide explains the local history, culture, tradition, gastronomy, and the best activities to do in Lyon during your stay. Finish your tour at the bustling Rue Mercière.

Lyon : Fourvière District Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

4. Lyon : Fourvière District Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

Explore a district known as the cradle of Lyon with its incredible ruins still standing. Let the district come to life with stories of its history automatically triggered by your location as you walk. Begin your tour on the Esplanade de Fourvière and its mini replica of the Eiffel Tower. Discover the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the symbol of the city, majestically placed on the hill. Stroll through sights like the Amphitheater and the Sanctuary of Cybèle. Use the app to go at your own pace, and take breaks whenever you wish. Hear fascinating facts about the district as your discover its heritage in this relaxed and informative way.

Lyon: French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

5. Lyon: French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour

Follow in the footsteps of those who fought the Nazi's in WWII during the French resistance in Lyon. Use your smartphone that will automatically activate as you pass different locations. Stop and start as you please and see the Capital of the Resistance as it was during the war. Relive the dark history of the French resistance from 1940 to 1944 as you are lead through the streets, traboules and secret meeting places. Discover clandestine printing shops and walk in the footsteps of Jean Moulin and all the other known and unknown Resistance fighters.

Lyon: City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour with App

6. Lyon: City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour with App

Explore Lyon like a local using an app with audio narration and excellent navigation. Choose which sights you'd like to see and let the app do the work by customizing a walking route for you. Stop at each landmark to listen to information provided by the app, learning about each area in depth. Immerse yourself in Lyon's fascinating culture and history thanks to this app. Visit iconic landmarks, including the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Lyon Cathedral, and many more. Best of all, steer clear of crowded group tours with strict schedules. Stop whenever you feel like it to visit each sight in depth or to taste the delicious local dishes Lyon is famous for, and enjoy a walking tour of this city at your own pace.

Lyon: Sherlock Holmes Smartphone City Exploration Game

7. Lyon: Sherlock Holmes Smartphone City Exploration Game

Immerse yourself in the exciting world of Sherlock Holmes by collecting clues as part of a fun smartphone game. Solve the murder of a fictional character with your colleagues, friends, or family, and explore the highlights of Lyon, including the Clocktower of the Hospital of Charity of Lyon. After downloading the app and entering the code, embark on a unique adventure full of brain teasers, puzzles, and lots of British humor. Become a high-class detective for a day and work alongside Sherlock Holmes. Take as long as you need to tackle this criminal case, stopping to explore the area whenever you wish to. Restart the game when you're ready and have a blast while you come across iconic sites, such as the Place des Celestins, Place Bellecour, and Clocktower of the Hospital of Charity of Lyon. Whilst this game does not focus on interacting with your surroundings nor informing you about it, it is the perfect activity to explore this amazing city in a fun and interactive way. Get ready for a walk through the most beautiful places in the city.

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What people are saying about Lyon

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 257 reviews

The organization up to the entrance was very well planned. The castle itself is really worth seeing. The audio explained everything very well. if you're on vacation nearby, you should definitely see this magnificent castle. The parks are also beautifully landscaped. Alone the magnificent fountains, which unfortunately were not yet in operation.

I'm so glad I did this! This museum is ideal for families but also for solo travelers who would like to know more about the history of our planet, our evolution, a few ancient civilizations, and our society. The dinosaur fossils were a real treat!

Very interesting information and a fun way to start exploring the city. App was a bit challenging to get going but worked wonderfully once started. App does a great job of guiding. Looking forward to finding another one!

Amazing place to learn much things on the geography, animals, cultures and history

I was positively surprised by this museum. Very interesting