What to do around Lyon: 7 ideas for activities and visits

What to do around Lyon? Discover a selection of activities and visits to explore and discover the surroundings of Lyon

What to do around Lyon? Must-see activities and visits!

Lyon is a major tourist destination, attracting several million visitors each year.

But the surrounding area also offers many treasures, easily accessible by train or by road.
Discover a selection of the best visits and activities around Lyon!

1. Explore the vineyards and mountains of the Beaujolais

The name of this natural region northwest of Lyon is closely linked to the popularity of its vineyards. Beaujolais wines have several "Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée" (AOC): Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages and Crus-du-Beaujolais. The marketing of Beaujolais Nouveau has become an event in many countries of the world, on the third Thursday of November. A trip to the Beaujolais region allows you to visit various estates and taste the local wines in moderation.

The region is also appreciated for its bucolic landscapes of villages, hills, fields, vineyards, meadows and forests. Roads, footpaths and cycle paths invite you to discover the rural heritage and treasures of a haven of nature at the gateway to Lyon.

You can also get a bird's-eye view of the Beaujolais in Liergues by taking a hot air balloon ride over the region.

Location: northwest of Lyon
Access: from 30 minutes by car
Train: approximately 40 minutes

2. Live History in the heart of the Monts du Lyonnais

To the west of the city, the Monts du Lyonnais unfold their gently curving rural landscapes. Numerous heritage and natural treasures await visitors just a few kilometres from the city, in the heart of a preserved territory. They also open a door to our past, and invite you to return, for a day, several millennia or several centuries back.

The aqueduct of the Gier, in Chaponost, once supplied Lugdunum with water. Today it offers an extraordinary string of arches over half a kilometre, and bears witness to the skills of the Roman builders, only 20 minutes by car from the centre of Lyon. The mediaeval park of Salva Terra, located in Haute-Rivoire, invites you to relive the daily life of the men and women of the 13th century. In Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, the Maison des Métiers brings back to life the trades of yesteryear: tanners, hatters, butchers, clog makers, cartwrights, sculptors, markers...

Location: West of Lyon
Access: from 30 minutes by car
Bus: approximately 40 minutes

3. Walk in the Pilat Regional Natural Park

The Pilat offers a remarkably diverse landscape, less than an hour's drive from Lyon. Villages with character, castles and churches, fields, meadows, lawns, lakes, ponds and forests make up a picture that changes with the seasons and invites discovery. The Monts du Pilat culminate at an altitude of 1,432 metres, at Les Crêts, and can be explored on foot, by bike, mountain bike or on horseback. The generosity of Pilat can also be discovered on the plate, with tasty local products, grown and prepared locally.

From the Rhône to the foothills of the Massif Central, follow the paths that criss-cross the Pilat Regional Nature Park for a day!

Location: South-west of Lyon
Access: from about 45 minutes by car
Bus: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

4. Visit Oingt, classified “Plus Beaux villages de France”

The mediaeval village of Oingt welcomes you for a journey out of time. Its centuries-old ramparts shelter houses of character, huddled together, which visitors access through a maze of alleys and squares. Carefully restored and classified as one of the “Plus beaux villages de France” ("Most Beautiful Villages in France"), Oingt has become a refuge for artists and craftsmen. They welcome you in their shops, and invite you to discover their productions and their works.

The Tour d'Oingt offers a unique panorama, and the church of Saint-Mathieu offers a unique testimony to the architecture of the 10th and 11th centuries. The visit of the Mechanical Music Space invites you to discover an amazing collection of mechanical pianos, barrel organs, phonographs and music boxes.

Location: north-west of Lyon
Access: about 45 minutes by car
Train: about 1 hour - 1 hour 15 minutes

5. Enter the bowels of the earth in Cerdon

The Cerdon caves were dug in the heart of the Haut-Bugey by an ancient underground river. The guided or self-guided tour, which lasts from 1 hour to 1.5 hours, allows you to discover the spectacular concretions of a nature that has become an artist, patiently sculpting stalactites, stalagmites and stone lace over thousands of years. A belvedere offers a spectacular view of the Cerdon valley.

A prehistoric park completes your excursion. Children and parents can relive the gestures of hunters and inhabitants of prehistoric times: firing of assegais, pottery workshops using Neolithic methods, creation of stone and shell jewellery, techniques for lighting a fire, discovery of work linked to archaeological digs...

Location: north-east of Lyon
Access: about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car

6. Dive into the dreamlike world of Facteur Cheval

Ferdinand Cheval, a rural postman, stumbled on a rock while on his rounds. From this encounter between man and rock, a crazy project was born. For decades, the Postman Cheval patiently built his Palais Idéal (Ideal Palace), which has become a true masterpiece of naive art and is now classified as a Historic Monument.

The building combines inspirations of diverse origins, drawn from the Bible, Hindu and Egyptian mythology. Built by a single man, it has remarkable proportions, with a height of 12 metres and a length of 26 metres. Numerous ornaments and sculptures brighten up the facades, and amaze visitors. To the west of the Palais Idéal, alcoves house miniature reproductions of several buildings from all over the world: a mosque, a Hindu temple, a Swiss chalet, a mediaeval castle and the Maison Carrée in Algiers.

Location: south of Lyon
Access: about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car
Train+bus : 1 hour and 40 minutes

7. Skiing in the French Alps

The French Alps are a world-renowned destination for snow lovers. Just a few hours from Lyon, explore the breathtaking scenery and hit the slopes for an exceptional holiday!

Courchevel, Bourg Saint Maurice, l'Alpe d'Huez and many other ski resorts promise a variety of activities and unforgettable off-piste experiences.

Plan your trips directly from Lyon airport! Shuttles, taxis, car hire, find the travel package that's right for you, from your home to your ski resort!

Learn more

Bonus. Rent your car at Lyon Airport

Are you flying to Lyon?

Book your rental car online, in just a few minutes, thanks to our free, no-obligation car rental service!
You will then have a vehicle available when you get off the plane, at the best price.
You simply complete your reservation request and you will receive a comparison of the offers from the various rental companies.

You can also choose the car-sharing solution offered by Lyon Airport.
You book your car online, and it will be waiting for you directly in the airport car park when you get off the plane.

We wish you an excellent stay in our city, and we invite you to discover the most beautiful tourist treasures around Lyon!