Lyon as a family: what to do in the capital of Gaul?

Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 15 July 2025

In this new article, I’d like to introduce you to family activities in Lyon, a city rich in history, culture and gastronomy.

Indeed, we spent a weekend in Lyon with a teenager who, at first, wasn’t the most motivated to discover the capital of the Gauls!

So whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or looking for ideas to keep the kids entertained during the school vacations, find out what to do in Lyon as a family.

I’d like to point out that this article on Lyon en Famille is part of the #EnFranceAussi inter-blogger rendez-vous, initiated by Sylvie of the blog Le coin des Voyageurs. The theme chosen by Ava of the blog Avagabonde is “to do with the family”.

At the end of the article, discover Kiki’s opinion, who made a huge mistake when visiting Lyon.

Introducing Lyon

Lyon is the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, the city boasts a rich architectural heritage, from Roman remains to Renaissance architecture and elegant 19th-century facades. The Fourvière hill, the Vieux Lyon districts, the heart of the Presqu’île and the Croix-Rousse hill are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The city is also famous for the Festival of Lights on December 8, when Lyon’s monuments and streets are illuminated by spectacular light installations. This tradition dates back to the 19th century, when the people of Lyon lit candles to celebrate the inauguration of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourvière hill.

So what’s there to do in Lyon with the whole family? Here are some must-do activities for a successful weekend or vacation.

Visit Vieux Lyon and its traboules

We start with a classic, exploring the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon.

If you’re trying to lose your children or teenagers, discover the traboules, typical passages of the city of Lyon. These are narrow, covered passageways inside buildings. They connect one street to another.

As far as history is concerned, most traboules date back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. These passages were originally used by weavers to transport their wares. They also played a crucial role during the Second World War, serving as escape routes for resistance fighters.

On your visit to Vieux Lyon, stop off at the magnificent Saint-Jean Cathedral.

And if you’re coming from Place Bellecour, you’ll have a magnificent view of the Saône and Vieux Lyon.

Climb to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière

For a panoramic view of Lyon, head for the magnificent Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica perched on Fourvière hill. Designed by architect Pierre Bossan, it was built between 1872 and 1884 in a neo-Byzantine style.

You’ll be able to see the Croix-Rousse hill, the Presqu’île, the Lyon Opera House, Place Bellecour, the Crayon de la Part-Dieu and the Tour Oxygène.

You can get there on foot. But don’t worry, you can rest at the top! However, if your children are too tired, you can take a cable car.

Spending time in the Parc de la Tête d’Or

Parc de la Tête d’Or is a large urban park in Lyon. It offers a multitude of activities for the whole family, including walks, bike rides, children’s playgrounds and even a free zoo.

There’s also a botanical garden for the whole family to discover.

For the record, I still remember the first time I went to this park with my grandmother and parents. Memories engraved forever.

Cruise the Saône and Rhône rivers

Discover Lyon by water on a family cruise on the Saône, the river that runs through the city.

You’ll be able to see Lyon’s main monuments and discover the Confluence district.

An excellent way for the whole family to discover Lyon in an original way. Even your teenager will love it!

Book your cruise in Lyon

Discover Lyon’s gastronomy

If you’re visiting Lyon, you can’t miss the bouchons, Lyon’s famous traditional restaurants. The origin of the term “bouchon” dates back to the 19th century, when these establishments served mainly wine. They were recognizable by the branch of a shrub, or “bouchon”, hanging from their front. Today, Lyon’s bouchons are best known for their generous, authentic cuisine. The establishments are often decorated in a rustic style, with checkered tablecloths, vintage posters and wine bottles hanging from the ceiling.

The menu at Lyon’s bouchons features a variety of traditional dishes. These include cervelle de canut (seasoned fromage frais), quenelle de brochet (a fish speciality), tablier de sapeur (breaded tripe) and tarte aux pralines.

Eating in a bouchon lyonnais is an unmissable way to discover the region’s traditional cuisine. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy a convivial meal with friends or family, in a warm and authentic setting. My favorite bouchon in Lyon? Le café des confédérations. Typical, high-quality dishes. But remember to book before you come.

How to get to Lyon with your family

Lyon is easily accessible by train. It takes 2 hours by TGV from Paris, 45 minutes from Saint Etienne and 2 hours fromAnnecy. Saint Exupéry airport is also within easy reach of Lyon.

Getting around Lyon with your family

To get around Lyon, you can take public transport such as streetcars, metros or buses.

You can also take a sightseeing bus around Lyon. You and your children can listen to interesting commentaries on Lyon’s history, culture and heritage.

Where to stay in Lyon?

During this weekend in Lyon, we had booked accommodation via Airbnb. Otherwise, I can recommend the Appart City Garibaldi hotel. It’s located 5 minutes from a metro station that takes you into Vieux Lyon in less than 10 minutes. It’s also a 15-minute walk from the Lyon Part Dieu train station. What’s more, there’s a small kitchen in the room and a decent breakfast.

Book your hotel in Lyon

Kiki’s opinion of her familyvisit to Lyon

Of course, you know that Sophie is from Saint-Étienne. The relationship between Lyon and Saint-Étienne? Well, it’s a suspenseful story, as complex as a detective story. Even Kiki has realized this by now. If you’re a soccer fan, you know exactly what he means. And, brace yourself, Kiki did talk to an Uber driver in Lyon about AS Saint-Étienne. A real faux pas! It’s a miracle the driver didn’t just throw him out at the next intersection. It’s a mistake that still makes Kiki blush today!

But let’s leave aside the soccer gossip and take a look at what’s beautiful about Lyon. Kiki is a fan of rivers, so he’s all the more excited that there are two here, one of which is the majestic Rhône. Its splendor is simply breathtaking. Just think: a few years ago, Kiki took a walk in the Swiss canton of Valais and crossed a tiny stream. And you can probably guess: it was the Rhône, still young and innocent, ready to explore the world. Almost like Kiki!

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