Visiting a city is great. Visiting it while having fun is even better! Why not squeeze in a few unusual activities between the traditional must-see tours of Lyon? Confluence, Parc de la Tête d'Or, traboules and Croix Rousse are all great, but there's even more to do. From beer baths to wacky trails and experiences in the dark, the program is mouth-watering. Forget weekends away and other low-key vacations, as we take you on a journey to discover the 15 best unusual activities to do in Lyon!
1. Mini World Lyon, discover a mini version of the city
A fairytale world opens up to you at Mini World Lyon, the place where everything is little, little, little... Towns, countryside, mountains, many different settings are represented in miniature. Top of the bill: the city of Lyon and its Fête des Lumières in miniature! Light effects take you from day to night, adding an extra touch of magic. Better still, these miniatures are animated, inviting your gaze to rest everywhere, discovering 1001 little details. Temporary exhibitions can also be added, to the delight of young and old alike.
Tempted? Click here to book your ticket to Mini World Lyon!
2. Visit the Musée de l'Illusion, one of Lyon's top unusual activities
Get ready to confuse your senses and turn your brain upside down! At the Musée de l'Illusion, nothing seems quite the same. Tilted walls, trompe-l'œil images and other oddities plunge you into a world that's 100% unusual. Of course, every optical illusion has a rational explanation, and it's explained to you every time. From the Hall of Infinity to the Hall of Riddles and the Hall of Mirrors, one thing's for sure: you won't believe your eyes!
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3. Sensas, unusual sensory trails
Enjoy two hours of thrills and spills at Sensas. In fact, Sensas is one of Lyon's favorite unusual activities for young people! Working in teams, you'll test your five senses in six sensory workshops, often in total darkness. In a playful way, you discover the unsuspected power of your taste, touch, hearing, smell and sight through challenges that are as entertaining as they are educational. A Master of the Senses guides you through the experience, but beware: he can amuse or frighten you!
4. Play in Park's unusual activities in Lyon
Come and join us for all the fun and unusual activities at Play in Park, The Place to Be for fun in Lyon. Quiz, bowling, lasergame, Cube Challenge, karaoke or virtual reality, there's something for everyone. It's the ideal place to meet in town to pass the time while having fun whenit's raining in Lyon, or simply to have fun with friends. Take your pick!
5. A treasure hunt to discover the haunted city of Lyon
Leaving from Place Saint-Jean, plunge into an unusual nocturnal adventure with the "Haunted Lyon" exploration game. On this Halloween night, you'll take on the role of a 12-year-old boy lost in Lyon, desperately searching for his friends. Don't be afraid! Armed with your courage, you must solve 10 riddles posed by mysterious spirits to find your way back. You'll visit some of the city's most terrifying locations, where chilling stories and sordid secrets await you, along a chilling 3 km route. To take part, simply download the dedicated app. Ready for an experience as frightening as it is thrilling?
6. Painting in the dark with fluorescent paint
Painting in the dark while drinking an aperitif is possible at Neon Brush, Lyon's unusual creative workshop! Here, the paint is phosphorescent, so you can admire your explosive work step by step. Immerse yourself in an arty, 100% fluorescent universe, for a great time with friends or family. Whether you're an accomplished painter or a beginner, everyone is welcome. For an hour and a half, let yourself be guided by an artist host, alternating between a drink and the art of the brush. The results are often amusing, always surprising. Now you're ready to experience an unusual activity the likes of which you don't often find!
7. Eating in a restaurant... in the dark!
Did you enjoy the previous experience? Do you like unusual night-time activities? We've got a feeling you're going to love La Table en Braille, the restaurant in Lyon where you can eat in the dark. More than just a meal, you'll experience a unique sensory journey. Plunged into total darkness, you're ready to savor inventive and gourmet dishes, while stimulating your senses, without ever seeing your plate. By developing your senses' imagination, your dishes reveal unsuspected flavors. This is one of the most unusual experiences to try out in Lyon, at least once in your life!
Do you love good food? Check out our top 21 brunch spots in Lyon.
8. Try floating in sensory isolation in Lyon
We now invite you to experience the sensation of weightlessness in a sensory isolation center, like Meïsō and Graviti, two unusual addresses in Lyon. Well sheltered in yoursensory isolation chamber, you'll enjoy unparalleled peace and quiet to recharge your batteries. Here, nothing else matters... except you. Cut off from the outside world, there's only one thing to do: relax, meditate and unwind. Want even more? Complete the package with body treatments and massages! Click here to book this unusual experience in Lyon!
9. I-way, the simulator to fill up on unusual activities in Lyon
Head to Lyon's 9th arrondissement to discover I-way, the professional simulator for powerful machines. Want to climb aboard an F1 car, a racing motorcycle or a plane? It's (almost) possible, thanks to our simulators, which give you the thrill of a lifetime. Escape games and virtual reality experiences are also on offer in this den of technology. Ready to get your thrills on? Click here to book your simulation!
10. Try virtual reality in Lyon, an unusual experience
Let's talk about virtual reality! At oVRdoze, located in the Confluence shopping and leisure center, you can experience it for yourself. This expert offers VR experiences to suit all tastes. From space travel to the destruction of zombies and the solving ofmysterious riddles, the program is as vast as it is diverse. Travel through numerous universes, experience introspection into the world of robots, and above all: have fun!
Smart tip: this unusual activity is open to children aged 9 and over. Minors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
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11. Dive into a beer bath at the Beer Spa
We already mentioned this type of activity in our article on 15 unusual things to do in Paris, and now we're back to it in Lyon: enthusiasts beware! At The Holy Hop spa , you can indeed relax... in beer. Or rather, the ingredients that make up beer are added to your spa: hops, mat and brewer's yeast. These various components are said to have beneficial effects on the skin. After your private moment of relaxation, you can try a beer accompanied by an aperitif board - all in moderation, of course!
Tempted? Take advantage of our partner's special rates by booking your experience right here !
12. Cook like a chef by making your own baos
How about taking part in a two-hour workshop at Chefsquare in Lyon, to learn how to make baos? Baos are small, steamed Asian buns that are a gourmet's delight. By following the chef's advice, you'll discover how to prepare baos stuffed with pork and shiitake, as well as gua baos in a sandwich version. From bananas in coconut milk to tapioca pearls incorporated into the recipes, the menu promises to be tasty.
Bonus: once the dishes have been prepared, you can of course enjoy them on the spot.
13. Dark Experience, unusual and spine-chilling activities in Lyon!
At Dark Experience, you can choose between two unusual activities that go beyond the simple escape game concept. The first takes you inside Amy's Mansion and then... everything gets dark and spooky. In the second scenario, The Creatureyou become the hero of your own horror film. Sensitive souls, please refrain! A world of darkness opens up, defying the laws of understanding. Chills, shivers, frights - there's no escaping it. Are you ready for themost frightening experience of your life?
14. Board the Food Tour No Diet
From the Croix Rousse or the south of Lyon, discover the Food Tour No Diet, the ultimate gourmet experience! Your 3-hour culinary adventure(don't eat too much in the morning!) takes you on a walking tour of the City of Lights. The objective is simple: sample local specialties as you go, such as praluline, a platter of local charcuterie and cheeses, a local burger, or hazelnut cushions. As your guide leads you to the best places to eat, you'll also discover the city's most emblematic landmarks, sharing a few anecdotes along the way. This tour is perfectly suited to gourmets and the curious, with its varied tastings and totally offbeat atmosphere.
Book my Food Tour "No Diet Club" in Lyon
15. Challenge yourself at the Quiz Room, an unusual activity for friends
The Quiz Room, located in Lyon-Part-Dieu, is a fun activity to try out in Lyon. In a group of at least four people, you challenge your opponents to a game of buzzer, on a tray, just like on TV! Be the smartest, analyze your competitors and have fun! There are several formulas to choose from, all of which include jokers to help you, and numerous themes to challenge your friends. With family or friends, you've found one of the best unusual activities to do in Lyon during your visit to the city! The Lyonnais themselves love it: will you dare to take up the challenge? If so, go here to reserve your time slot!
What unusual things to do in Lyon as a couple?
Are you visiting Lyon for a 2-day weekend or longer? Get up early, because there's plenty to see and do, both normal and unusual. Thephosphorescent painting workshop may be fun to do as a couple, but so is the late-night restaurant. As for the Beer Spa, it's a great way to relax in a private spa, but above all in the heart of an atmosphere like no other.
What if you visited Lyon in a less conventional way? Come aboard Les Bateaux Lyonnaisto explore the city from the Rhone. From Croix-Rousse to Confluence (with a stop at the Musée des Confluences), via Ile Barbe and Fourvière, discover the city of Lyon in a different way, with a guided tour. With the idea of visiting Lyon in a different way, you can also book a helicopter flight over the city. Splendid and romantic: we love it!
What unusual things to do around Lyon?
If you're still thirsty forunusual adventures, get out of town for a while. You'll still find plenty of unusual things to do around Lyon! Just twenty minutes away, in Villeurbanne, head for the Ninja Warrior course. Just like on TV, you can challenge your friends and family to a sporting ninja challenge. Here, you can challenge yourself and your friends on a number of inventive courses. Great fun!
In a much cuter style, have you heard of puppy yoga? In Caluire, near Lyon, you'll find more than just zen positions! After 20 minutes of postures, and before your stretching at the end of the session, you do yoga in the company of adorable puppies. More than just a relaxing session, you're treating yourself to a moment of tenderness that fills the heart with love. Pure bliss!
If you've had enough of sweetness, let's move on to the unusual activities in Saint-Priest, about half an hour from Lyon. From bubble soccer toarchery tag, you'll have a 100% fun time with your friends. For the first activity, you play surrounded by an enormous bouncing bubble. Be careful not to become a ball yourself! Archery tag is based on the paintball principle, but with bows and arrows fitted with plastic tips.
And that's it for our round-up of unusual activities in and around Lyon! Lyon is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it knows how to dazzle as well as entertain you. If you still have time, we invite you to round off your stay with a visit to one of the world's most unusual museums, the Musée Cinéma et Miniature. There's never a dull moment in France. From museums to unusual accommodation and fun activities, every city has its own surprises in store. This top 15 list of unusual places to discover in France proves it.
Discover the most popular things to do in Lyon:
