Lyon

Located in the picturesque south-eastern region of France, the city of Lyon is full of history, gastronomy, and culture. From its historic old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, to its world-class gastronomy, the city offers an enchanting mix of old world charm and modern gastronomy.

Cities near Lyon

• Saint-Etienne: Approximately 60 kilometers southwest
• Grenoble: Approximately 100 kilometers southeast

Events in Lyon

Lyon is a city known for its love for football. From domestic league games to international competitions, there are plenty of football events that take place in the city. Here are the top football events in Lyon:

Olympique Lyonnais Matches: Olympique Lyonnais (OL) is a French football club based in the city of Lyon. The club plays in the top division of French football, Ligue 1, and its home games are held at Groupama Stadium, which is situated on the outskirts of the city.

UEFA Women's Champions League Final: Lyon has a powerful women’s team, Olympique lyonnais feminin, who have been at the forefront of European women’s football in recent times. The Parc Olympia Lyonnais has been the venue for several UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals, including the finals of 2018 and 2020, demonstrating the city’s dedication to women’s sport and offering a platform for some of the world’s finest female players.

International Friendly Matches: Lyon also hosts international friendlies against national teams from all over the globe. These friendly games give football fans in the city the chance to witness world-class international football and cheer on their favourite players and teams.

UEFA Euro 2016: Lyon was also one of the cities to host the Euro 2016 football tournament in France. With its state of the art facilities and seating capacity of more than 59,000 people, the stadium hosted several matches in the tournament, such as group stage games, the round of 16 and semi-final matches.

Tourism in Lyon

Lying in the heart of France’s Rhône region, the city of Lyon is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is renowned for its well preserved historic sites, a lively cultural scene and world renowned culinary traditions.

• Old Town (Vieux Lyon): Vieux Lyon, also known as the Old Town, is a UNESCO-designated district in the heart of the French city of Lyon. It is home to some of France’s most emblematic buildings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as well as cobbled streets.
• Presquile: The Presquile is the commercial and cultural heart of the city. It is situated between the river Rhône, and the Saône. Here, you can find stylish boutiques, lively markets, and some of the city’s most emblematic landmarks. Place Bellecour is one of Europe’s largest squares, and it is home to some of France’s most important cultural institutions, such as the musee des beaux-arts and the opera de lyon.
• Fourviere Hill: Fourviere Hill rises above the rest of the city, providing panoramic vistas of the city and the countryside below. The hill is home to the most emblematic basilica of the city, the Basilica de la Basilica, which is a masterpiece of Byzantine-style architecture. It is also home to the Galloan archaeological site, including a theater and an odeon that date back to the time of the Romans. At the top of the hill, the jardin des curiosites is beautifully landscaped, as well as the musee gallo-romain, which houses artifacts from the Roman past of Lyon.

Lyon Activities

• Explore Vieux Lyon (Old Town): Vieux Lyon is one of the world’s most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city’s cobbled streets are lined with shops and restaurants, and the architecture is a mix of medieval and Renaissance styles. Don’t miss out on some of the city’s best attractions, such as the Sacre-Coulte des Cathedrales, the Sacre-Sainte-Anne, the Traboules, which are secret passageways that lead to different areas of the city, and the musee Gadagne.
• Visit Fourviere Hill: Climb to the top of the Fourvière hill and discover the famous Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Fourvière, and take in the panoramic view of the city of Lyon and its surroundings. In the vicinity of Fourvière hill, you can visit the Gallo’Roman archaeological site.
• Enjoy your time by the river: go for a stroll on the banks of Rhône or Saône, or go on a boat cruise to take in the views of Lyon’s waterfront. Picnic with the locals: go for a picnic at one of the parks along the river’s banks, such as parc de la tête d’Or or parc de gerland.
• Explore the Silk Industry: Discover the rich history of the silk industry in Lyon at the maison des canuts in the croix-rousse area. Learn about silk weaving, traboule-making, and go to the croix-russe market to buy silk and other fine handmade products.

Lyon Stadiums

Lyon is served by one major football stadium that is home to one of France's most successful football clubs, Olympique lyonnais

Parc Olympique Lyonnais (Groupama Stadium):

The stadium, also known as groupama stadium for sponsorship reasons, opened in January 2016 and is located on the outskirts of the city, just east of the city center. It has a striking design with its retractable roof and transparent façade that allows natural light to penetrate the interior. The stadium offers excellent viewing angles from every seat, as well as modern amenities and hospitality facilities. It has a capacity of approximately 59,000 people, and can be expanded to 63,000 people for special events. The pitch is constructed of natural grass and is FIFA-approved for international matches.