Neighbourhoods
Vieux Lyon
Renaissance old town with hidden traboules (covered passageways).
Croix-Rousse
Former silk-weaving hill, now bohemian and local.
Presqu'île
The commercial spine between the two rivers — shopping and squares.
Things to do
Traboule-hunting in Vieux Lyon
Ask any bakery for the nearest one — locals still use them as shortcuts.
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
The city's temple of food — go hungry, graze the stalls for lunch.
Basilique de Fourvière at golden hour
The funicular ride alone is worth the trip up.
Eating & drinking
A proper bouchon (Lyonnaise tavern)
Look for the 'Les Bouchons Lyonnais' plaque for the vetted, non-tourist-trap kind.
Praline brioche from any boulangerie
The pink-praline pastry is a only-in-Lyon thing — worth the sugar rush.
Day trips
Local logistics
City-specific transport and safety notes — for country-wide context, see the France guide.
Fully walkable center, with a funicular up to Fourvière if you'd rather not climb.
Very safe; no notable areas of concern for visitors.
Pacing & budget
Pacing: 2 days is enough to eat extremely well and see the highlights without rushing.
Budget: Noticeably cheaper than Paris for comparable food quality.
Visa, money, culture & transport for all of France
Currency, key phrases, getting around by train, and everything that applies to your whole trip — not just Lyon.