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Diane Geddie, Product & Short Break Specialist

"Lyon is a fantastic city for all lovers of food, I always make sure I take a trip to a traditional bouchon for Lyonnais cuisine and I recommend you try the quenelles, which is a dish of creamed fish. I also recommend foodies to visit the famous Les Halles de Lyon, the indoor market selling the best quality products from the region, although expensive, this is where you can find the best of the best in terms of produce and wine. Not only a city for foodies, but the place to be for pleasure seekers, Lyon is home to museums, bustling drinking scenes and great shopping!"

Celebrated as the gastronomic capital of the world, Lyon also vaunts diverse buildings, pretty cobbled streets and sparkling rivers.

From its ancient beginnings as the Roman capital of Gaul, through Italian-inspired Renaissance times to today’s modern skyscrapers, Lyon has much to offer any architecture buff. Explore the traboules (corridors) and courtyards of the UNESCO-recognised Old Town by foot and indulge in the ‘bouchons’ (old-fashioned bistros) on Presqu’ile peninsula, nestled between the Rhone and Saone rivers.

Perfect if you’re looking for:

  • Beautiful architecture
  • Café culture
  • Culinary arts

Dining in Lyon

Lyon is often praised by chefs as a culinary mecca, so a trip to this city really will impress with its fabulous French gastronomy! French flavours in Lyon have undergone a modern transformation and many bistros and brasseries are showing off innovative takes on classic French dishes. Another reason Lyon is hailed as a gastronomic city is due to the location, with many of the finest ingredients delivered from elite farms in Charolais, Drome, Ardeche and seafood from Savoy and game from Dombes.

Must-try local dishes:

  • Lyonnaise salad – A regional salad of frisee lettuce topped with a perfectly poached egg and thick bacon and then dressed with a warm vinaigrette.
  • Quenelles – Pike dumplings with Bechamel and crayfish sauce.
  • Tarte Lyonnaise – A wonderful, vibrant red praline tart.

Shopping in Lyon

Tiny boutiques set on cobbled streets and international brands in shopping malls give the discerning visitor a chance to experience all kinds of shopping. The vibrant Rue de la Republique offers good shopping as well as the Confluence Shopping Centre and the bustling La Part-Dieu Shopping Mall. For those wanting to find vintage or antique items, then head to the cool flea market at the Puces du Canal.

Osprey Holidays top tips

For four days around Dec 8th each year, the ‘festival des lumières’ transforms the city into a wonderland of lights. Book early!

Get your tailor-made city break itinerary

Osprey Holidays can create a fabulous short break designed completely around your needs. We can arrange whatever you need, including:

  • All travel and transfers on days of your choice 
  • Accommodation from our handpicked range of  hotels, to suit your budget and requirements

Our award-winning team can provide expert advice and recommendations, from general questions to tiny details. Contact us now for your tailor-made itinerary.

Important information
Population 484,344
Languages French
Currency Euro
Visa Information No visa required for UK citizens
Average temperatures

(monthly highs °C)

Distance from airports
Lyon Airport 28km
Railway stations
Gare de Lyon-Perrache

Tours and Excursions

Beaujolais Gourmet Wine Tour

Tour the southern part of the Beaujolais region, a beautiful area with rolling hills and hilltop villages, known for its Beaujolais Nouveau. Your driver-guide will introduce you to the region, including the medieval village of Omingt. The tour ends with a visit to a winemaker’s estate where the local producer will share some winemaking secrets and you will sample some wines accompanied by cold meats and cheeses.

Old Town Food Tour

A must for any food lover, on this half day small-group tour you will meet local suppliers and sample artisanal produce from the region. Your local guide will share their passion for gastronomy and introduce you to products synonymous with the city of Lyon during a tour that includes at least six tastings and lunch.

Full Day Northern Cotes du Rhone

The morning will be spent in the Côte-Rôtie vineyards where you will meet with a winemaker and taste several wines including Saint-Joseph, Condrieu and Côte-rôtie AOC. After some free time for lunch you’ll head to the Hermitage region. Admire stunning views at the Hermitage hill Belvedere before visiting a local winery where you will sample five to six Côtes du Rhône wines.

We would be happy to arrange an excursion for you. To discuss options with a member of our knowledgeable team or to book, please contact us on 0131 243 8098.