5 Best Attractions to visit in Lyon

France is a wonderful place to visit, with over 83 million foreign tourists each year. It is ranked as the first tourist destination in the world, ahead of the USA (67 million) and China (58 million). Along with the uber-popular Louvre and Eiffel Tower which are located in Paris, there are hundreds of other amazing attractions in Lyon, the third largest city in France. Lyon is renowned for its cuisine and historical and architectural landmarks, and the Historic Site of Lyons was even designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Lyon is an amazingly beautiful place, with many different parks, quaint little cafes, and numerous museums.

1. Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière was built with private funds between 1872 and 1884. Placed on top of the Fourvière hill, the basilica is located over the city of Lyon, from where it can be seen from many vantage points. The Basilica offers guided tours by professionals, and there is a Museum of Sacred Art which attracts many people. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière receives 2 million visitors annually. At certain times, you can access the basilica’s north tower for a spectacular 180-degree view of Lyon and its suburbs which is an absolutely breathtaking view. There are dozens of mosaics inside the basilica itself, and they are spectacularly made and a pleasure to look at.

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

   2. Place Bellecour

 The Place Bellecour is a large square in the centre of Lyon. It is 15 acres large, and it is one of the largest open squares in Europe. In the middle of the Place Bellecour, there is a large equestrian statue of King Louis XIV, made by Francios Frederic Lamot. The Square also contains two separate buildings, which house a tourist information centre for any tourists and a magnificent art gallery. The Square is also part of a UNESCO world heritage site. Place Bellecour is a great place to just wander about in, a place to sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery. A lovely square that will allow you to just relax, and watch the world fly by you. Oh, and there’s also a Ferris wheel.

Place Bellecour

   3. Parc de la Tête d’Or 

Parc de la Tête d’Or, or known as Park of the Golden Head is a large urban park with an area of over 117 hectares. Parc de la Tête d’Or has a beautiful lake where boat sports can be played, especially during summer months, and it is one of the most popular parks in Lyon. There is a massive amount of space for visitors to jog, cycle, and even just relax and enjoy a picnic on the grass. The park also features a small zoo, with giraffes, elephants and many other animals. There are also sports facilities in the park and even a miniature train that the kids can ride on.

Parc de la Tête d’Or

   4. Musem of Fine Arts of Lyon

The Musem of Fine Arts of Lyon is the municipal museum of Lyon and is one of the biggest art museums in all of France. Its collections range from ancient Egypt antiquities to the Modern art period and make the museum one of the most important in Europe. Filled with dozens of collections of magnificent art from as far back as the 14th century, this museum is a great place to visit with works from many famous artists including works from Van Gogh himself. There is also a large set of sculptures, with two sculptures done by Rodin himself. The museum has many antiquities also, so if you’re a fan of age-old history this is a brilliant place for you to visit. 

Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon