Lyon is a departure port for river cruises along the Rhône and Saône nearly year-round, with Viking River Cruises, Scenic Cruises, and AMA Waterways all home porting there.
Founded by the Romans in 43 BC at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon has grown from an ancient provincial capital into one of France's great cities, a financial and industrial center since the mid-1500s. Its old town, Vieux Lyon, is a dense maze of Renaissance houses, hidden traboules, and Roman ruins on the Fourvière hill above, reachable on foot or by funicular from the riverbanks where river vessels typically call.
Long regarded as the country's culinary capital, Lyon counts thousands of restaurants and a notable concentration of Michelin-starred kitchens, from traditional bouchons to refined dining rooms. Beyond the table, the city rewards unhurried wandering: Renaissance courtyards, riverside promenades, and views across two rivers toward the surrounding hills and nearby wine villages.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Lyon.
Explore the Traboules of Vieux Lyon
Slip through the hidden passageways that thread beneath Renaissance houses in the old town, once used by silk workers to move goods discreetly. Wander on foot from the riverbank; many traboules are unmarked, so a guided walk helps find the best ones.
Ride the Funicular to Fourvière
Climb the hill above Vieux Lyon by funicular in just a few minutes for Roman ruins, a basilica, and sweeping views over the Rhône and Saône. The vantage point frames the city's two rivers and the hills beyond in one sweep.
Dine in a Traditional Bouchon
Sit down at one of Lyon's classic bouchons for hearty, unpretentious dishes like quenelles or coq au vin, a fitting way to experience the city's storied culinary reputation firsthand. Reserve ahead, as the best-known spots fill quickly.
