Top Lyon Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

The perfect introduction to France’s history-filled city, this hop-on hop-off tour of Lyon makes stops at several attractions. Enrich your visit with audio commentary in multiple languages as you listen to anecdotes about the city, its people, and its heritage. Your pass is valid for the whole day, so you can get down—and back on—as many times as you’d like.

Explore Lyon’s hillside Croix-Rousse quarter by mini-train rather than foot on this city tram tour. Board the train with its panoramic windows and roof, and trundle through the village-like streets of this one-time silk workers’ district, famous for its boho atmosphere, markets, and wall murals. Admire the traditional townhouses and best-known murals depicting historical local scenes and figures, including the ‘Murs des Canuts,’ and ‘Fresque des Lyonnais.’ Multi-lingual audio guide included.

Maximize your time in the vibrant Lyon with a Lyon City Card, your passport for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonders of the city. Explore esteemed museums at your own pace and receive free admission to 22 of Lyon’s most popular cultural institutions. Enjoy free guided tours and river cruises; purchase souvenirs in sophisticated shops at a discount; and see free concerts and puppet shows with your indispensable card. Select from either a 1-, 2- 3-day or 4 day pass and receive a free brochure and map-guide to the city when you collect your card.

Part of the Rhône Valley wine region, Côtes du Rhône produces some of the most renowned wines in France, most notably its full-bodied reds. On this tour, enjoy an intimate tasting experience at two wineries in the Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie appellations, meet the winemakers, and sample a variety of Côtes du Rhône wines.

Discover Lyon’s highlights, and wend your way past major landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites alike, on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in the afternoon at the Bartholdi Fountain, and set off on foot. Over the course of several hours, you’ll learn all about the city’s history and gourmet traditions, will stroll through Vieux Lyon (its Old Town), will travel by funicular up Fourvière Hill, and more.

Spend half a day exploring Pérouges, one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages. Enter the town through the Porte d'en Haut gate and check out its 15th and 16th century homes, the Place des Tilleuls, and stunning views that reach across the Ain Valley all the way to the Alps. Enjoy a “galette,” the regional specialty, with a glass of cider before your tour concludes.

This 2.5-hour electric bike tour shows you the best of Lyon. Hop on your bike and cruise past the old city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Place Bellecour with its statue of Louis XIV; the colorful Croix Rousse tunnel; the banks of the Rhône, and more. Stop to enjoy a glass of wine with rosette sausage, local cheeses, cured ham, and cake in France’s culinary capital.

Meet a Lyon local for a private walking tour that’s like having a friend—rather than a professional guide—to show you around the city. It’s a new concept in travel, and everything from the pre-tour phone consultation to the walking tour itself is completely tailored to you. Whether you’re exploring neighborhood life or looking for Lyon’s most authentic flavors, it’s a personalized alternative to an off-the-shelf itinerary.

Take off from Lyon, and make your way to the beautiful southern area of the wine-producing Beaujolais region. First, journey into the heart of a vineyard, and taste three wines and a pastry. Then, pass by the 12th-century village, Omingt, to see its medieval monuments, and end your tour at a winemaker’s estate with some more tastings on the agenda.

Tour and taste your way around Lyon on this half-day Old Town food tour. Save hours researching where to find the best local food, and instead, have insider knowledge from your guide. Meet local producers, and learn about Lyon’s wonderful gastronomy scene. You won’t have to worry about translation problems—your guide translates for you, as you enjoy several tastings throughout the day.

Travelers that want to avoid a crowded tour bus—but see more than with a typical walking tour—shouldn't miss this comfortable, pedicab tour in Lyon. As you cruise through the heart of the city, see top attractions, from bustling Place Bellecour to the historic Theatre des Celestins and Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste. Along the way, learn about Lyon's history from your guide, and see some of the city's ancient hillside passageways, called traboules.

Take in the sights of Lyon with an electric bike tour, an easy way to get around, while you sample some of what makes this the culinary capital of France. After stops in Lyon's UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Place des Terreaux and La Croix-Rousse, riding along the picturesque Rhône River, pause at a restaurant to taste regional specialties like locally-made cheeses and cured meats. Upgrade to the 4-hour tour to include a stop at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière where you'll get wonderful views over Lyon. Tour group size is limited to 10 for more personalized attention from your guide.

Glide around Lyon’s UNESCO-listed historic center on an easy-to-use electric bike with this 2-hour guided bike tour. Cruise along the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers, pedal around the lush Tête D’Or Park and zip through the dazzling Croix Rousse tunnel, with its unique sound and light show. Stop along the way to admire landmarks like Lyon Cathedral, stroll around bustling Bellecour square and discover little known monuments and local haunts.

10:00 am/English | On this guided walking tour of the historic neighborhoods of Croix-Rousse and Vieux Lyon, you will learn a lot about the culture and history of Lyon. We start on Place des Terreauxwhere you'll see the impressive the Hôtel de Ville and Museum. The Bartholdi Fountain is another highlight. Then we walk through Croix-Rousse, where the silk workers used to work. It is filled with hidden passageways, the Traboules. We will talk about silk enjoy amazing views over the city. From the Roman Amphitheatre, we descend down towards Vieux Lyon, the most famous neighborhood of the city. We will see the Fresque des Lyonnais, an impressive wall painting and Rue Juiverie, with the amazing Gallerie Philibert Delorme. We'll finish in the busy part of Vieux Lyon, right in time for lunch! Tips are greatly appreciated. Our guides spend many hours of personal time increasing their knowledge to provide you with the best experience possible. Typical tip range has been e5-10 per person.

10:00 am/English | On this guided walking tour of Vieux Lyon, you will discover this amazing neighborhood with Paul, your guide. We will explain the history and culture of Lyon, talking about a lot of things, like the Bouchon (local restaurants), the history of Silk production in Lyon, Klaus Barbie and the French resistance during the Second World War, Paul Bocuse and food culture and Renaissance in Lyon. We will visit many hidden passageways (the Traboules) and secret courtyards, that are sometimes hard to find on your own. For the last part of the tour we will cross over to the modern city center and visit some highlights like the Theatre des Celestins and the Hôtel Dieu. Tips are greatly appreciated. Our guides spend many hours of personal time increasing their knowledge to provide you with the best experience possible. Tips not only help financially but also let the guide know he or she is doing a great job. Typical tip range has been e5-10 per person.

Meet and talk with local artisans as you sample their cuisine on this afternoon food tour that offers access to people and places only locals know. Savor more than 10 local specialties over four separate stops as you stroll among the murals and alleyways of Old Town, Lyon’s UNESCO district. On the menu: wine, beer, cheese, cold cuts, brioche, chocolate and ice cream.

Visit the streets of old Lyon by bicycle taxi and admire the historical monuments that abound. A fun alternative to being cooped up in a coach, the bike taxi offers an unobstructed view and an eco-friendly solution. Book a bike taxi for two adults and a child under six and, if you want a longer excursion, upgrade to also include the Presqu'île and the banks of the Rhône River.

Explore the historic villages and beautiful vineyards of the Beaujolais wine region on this private full-day tour from Lyon. Sample Beaujolais wines with a tasting at a distinguished winery, enjoy a delicious lunch (own expense) amid the Dombes vineyards, then taste regional specialty ‘galette’ in Pérouges.

Visit Pérouges—one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’—and the alpine town of Annecy on this private full-day tour from Lyon. Admire the medieval monuments and tuck into a traditional breakfast in Pérouges, then enjoy a walking tour of historic Annecy or an optional cruise around Lake Annecy.

Beaujolais is renowned for its light red wines and this tour adds a fun twist to a wine tasting experience. Zip around the vineyards on a Segway, visit the medieval village of Oingt, and enjoy views of the French Alps. Finally, stop at a local wine cellar to sample a variety of Beaujolais wines, paired with tasty regional specialties.

You will learn all about the Art de Vivre à la Lyonnaise, and you will be tasting local specialities in a friendly atmosphere. You will be offered the best and most authentic local sweets and pastries, a selection of cheeses, as well as a traditional Lyonnais hot dish, associated with tastings of white and red wines from the region. Tasty and generous, you will not only experience a Food Tour but an incredible and memorable culinary adventure.

Take a walk through Lyon's history with a private guide, and discover the small French city as it was during Roman days. You'll learn about the city's architecture and culture through curiosity-packed commentary that's sure to keep your interest piqued as you explore. Stories of Lyon lions and secret city passageways are among the highlights.

Lyon, contrary to what one thinks, is not made only of light ... I invite you to come wander in the dark legends of the city in order to meet its specters, because Lyon does not reveal itself easily to travelers .... From Vieux-Lyon to the Presqu'île, we will stroll through the dark streets in search of symbols and ancient rituals which, perhaps, still influence the inhabitants. From the evil spirits of St. George, to the lycanthropes and tough assassins of Lyon, the city drags a reputation as a demonic city. NOTE: The tour is open to children, the speech can be adapted to the type of audience. However, it is the responsibility of parents to judge the sensitivity of their children. WARNING!! This tour is offered in French, but if you wish to have it in English write to me before booking. Thanks!

Thanks to our gastronomic tour you will have an overview of the gastronomic tradition of this beautiful city and feel like a true Lyonese walking through the streets and tasting delicious typical dishes guided by a local friend.