The best things to do in Lyon, France’s culinary capital in 2025

What is it? South of Lyon’s city centre, where the Saône and Rhone rivers meet, is an awe-inspiring urban renewal project.

Why go? Launched in 2000, La Confluence aimed to double the size of Lyon city centre without increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The sustainable enclave is built on a former industrial wasteland – although it’s anything but desolate now. Check out the headquarters of the Hôtel de Région, designed by Christian de Portzamparc; Jean Nouvel’s Tour Ycone; and Hikari, the world’s first positive-energy city block, by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.

Time Out tip: After gawping at all those futuristic structures, head to the epic Musée des Confluences and Le Sucre, a buzzing club and events space in a former sugar warehouse.

What is it? On the Jonage canal in Villeurbanne is Les Puces du Canal flea market, a famous brocante that has been attracting thousands of visitors every week since 1995.

Why go? You can rummage through everything from second-hand books and furniture to jewellery and vinyls here, but the best thing about this Lyon institution is the antique dealers. Watch as they jostle for attention, barter, and sip white wine with their fellow sellers. Take cash and go early. 

Time Out tip: There’s also a showcase of vintage cars every first Saturday of the month.

Address: 5 Rue Eugène Pottier, 69100 Villeurbanne, France

Opening hours: Thursdays and Saturdays 7am-1pm. Sundays 7am-3pm

What is it? A historic area in Lyon stuffed full of indie bars, restaurants, galleries and shops – as well as top views, and the city’s most famous bit of street art. 

Why go? Since the nineteenth century, Lyon’s Croix-Rousse district has been known as ‘the hill that works’, thanks to its history as the home of the city’s silk manufacturers. Now a bustling bohemian district, it still wears its past with pride and you’re likely to see signs of its silk-weaving DNA everywhere.

Time Out tip: La Croix-Rousse is also where you’ll find ‘Le Mur des Canuts’, the largest mural in Europe – a trompe l’oeil painted in 1987 that goes deep into the area’s history. 

Address: 69001/69004 Lyon, France

Opening hours: 24 hours (public area)

What is it? A five day festival each June sees some of France’s finest chefs (and many cooks from around the world) dish up small plates in ramshackle old factories. The 2026 editing will mark 10 years of the festival. 

Why go? Fine dining comes with a price tag, unless you whack a street food label on it. Former SNCF workshops Grandes Locos, La Mulatière, become a place where you can taste Michelin-starred mini dishes for as little as €6, take workshops in everything from making your own beer to hip hop dancing, and boogie al fresco to live music and DJ sets. Two countries are spotlighted each year: 2025 put Brazil and Ireland on the podium.

Time Out tip: Budget for around €70pp to eat and drink well, including entry; workshops are free (sign up an hour in advance). 

Address: Les Grandes Locos, 10 Rue Gabriel-Péri, 69350 La Mulatière 

Opening hours: Approx 6pm-12am weekdays, 11am-12am weekends

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What is it? Some say the Jardin des Curiosités offers the most beautiful view of Lyon. And we’d struggle to argue with that. Nestled on a hill in Saint-Just, this 6,000-square-metre park is an uphill climb, but worth every minute of effort.

Why go? Designed at the turn of the last millennium at the request of the city of Montreal (with which Lyon is twinned), this garden of curiosities offers a simply breathtaking view. On a clear day, you can even see Mont Blanc. For some great lookout spots (and if you fancy a bit of a treasure hunt), go in search of the six chairs, all of which were designed by Quebecois sculptor Michel Goulet. 

Address: 8 Place de l’Abbé Larue, 69005 Lyon, France

Opening hours: Daily 8am-7pm (extended to 10pm from May to September)

What is it? A fantastic shop with floor-to-ceiling wine bottles, charcuterie carved in front of you and the most delightfully stinky of cheeses from Fromagerie Mons, on the corner of the same road. 

Why go? It would be easy to walk past this neighbourhood wine bar without a second glance, sandwiched unassumingly between gritty transport hub Perrache and the ‘bobo’ antique shops and florists of Lyon’s 2ème. Don’t. Owner Baptiste Duculty has the kind of gruff knowledge and heavy hand with portion sizes (the liquid and solid kinds)that make it an instant hit. Thirsty locals outnumber tourists, and closing time is often flexible when wine and vibes are in full swing. In winter there’s nowhere cosier, although in summer a little outdoor seating wouldn’t go amiss.

Address: 51 Rue de la Charité, Lyon, France 69002

Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-1am. Closed Sundays and Mondays

What is it? Epic strolls are yours for the taking at the Parc de la Tête d’Or, which opened over a century and a half ago on the banks of the Rhône.

Why go? At 117 hectares, it’s the largest urban park in France. Start the day with a boat trip on the lake, before immersing yourself in the botanical garden’s 16,000 species of plants. The Tête d’Or is also home to Lyon Zoo, which has over 300 animals – and a miniature train and carousel for the little ones. 

Address: Boulevard des Belges, 69006 Lyon, France

Opening hours: Daily, 6.30am-10.30pm

What is it? Put simply, the Fête des Lumières is Lyon’s favourite calendar moment. It dates back to 1852, when residents placed candles in coloured glasses in their windows to celebrate a new Virgin Mary statue on Fourvière Hill.

Why go? Now a huge annual celebration, the festival sees the city become a sparkling dreamscape of colour and light. Streets, parks, squares and facades of buildings are transformed by installations created by local and international lighting designers, visual artists and video artists. See Lyon abuzz with activity and excitement for yourself – the festival is held every year around December 8.

Address: Various locations across Lyon

What is it? Every Friday night, in the vaulted cellars of Saint-Nom-du-Jésus Convent, Dominican monks pour pints and serve planches, accompanied by a lively band of volunteers.

Why go? Beers served are all local (although from Lyonnais brasserie Ninkasi rather than the monks’ own brew), served at the almost outrageously cheap price of €2,50 for a 25cl glass. The rock bottom prices and abundance of board games attract plenty of dewy-faced students, who join in with the end of service prayers and hymns with gusto. On every week, except for the summer holidays when we can only imagine that the monks shed their habits and hit the beach.

Address: 93 Rue Tête d'Or, Lyon, France 69006

Opening hours: Fridays only, 8.30am-11.30pm

What is it? Immerse yourself in the colourful world of aerosols at Peinture Fraîche Festival, a celebration of street art in all its forms. 

Why go? After its inaugural edition attracted nearly 40,000 visitors, the festival has become a mainstay in Lyon’s cultural landscape. Across October, around fifty graffers from all over the world make their mark on Lyon and Halle Debourg, a freight sorting warehouse-turned-gallery. Whether you’re checking out giant murals, watching the artists at work or attending concerts and performances, this street art extravaganza is sure to change your perspective on an art form that’s constantly in flux. 

Address: Halle Debourg, 41 Avenue Debourg, 69007 Lyon, France