Who says visiting a big city has to be expensive? If you're a budget traveler, you've come to the right place. Le Petit Futé today unveils its top 15 free activities to do in Lyon. And here's a pleasant surprise: some of them are even among the city's must-see attractions! Visiting and having fun without spending a dime, it's possible with a few tips we've uncovered for our dear travelers. After the fun activities to try out in this beautiful French city, let's move on to museums, historical relics and gardens, so you can visit Lyon without spending a thing. We promise you won't get bored!
1. Visit the Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules free of charge
In Lyon, you can discover historic remains for free. Once known as Lugdunum, the city is home to the Amphitheatre des Trois Gaules, the oldest in Roman Gaul. Completed in 19 AD on the Croix-Rousse hill, it was used for shows and games. Today, it's one of Lyon's best free activities. Its remains, integrated into the Jardin des Plantes, were discovered during excavations starting in 1956, and promise a powerful testimony to Lyon's ancient history.
The smart tip : the Musée Lugdunum, right next door, is usually free every weekend in summer. It's also free for everyone, all year round, every first Sunday of the month.
2. Admire the Jardin Rosa Mir, Lyon's free splendor
From April to October, the Jardin Rosa Mir is one of Lyon's finest free activities on Saturday afternoons. Between columns of shells and floral art, you enter a heterogeneous garden like no other. Designed by the Spaniard Jules Senis-Mir, it is a magnificent example of "brut" art. Why "brut"? Because its creator had no artistic knowledge whatsoever. But the result, in addition to being free, is absolutely superb! Listed as a historic monument, this garden invites you on an astonishing artistic journey.
3. Attend a free show at the Opéra de Lyon
In Lyon, attending a show at the opera is free at lunchtime. Events change from season to season, so be sure to check the program regularly. Numerous concerts take place throughout the year in the Amphi de l'Opéra , free of charge for Lyonnais and visitors alike l'Opéra. Music, dance, projections: here, every type of artist is welcome. It's the place to be for culture and leisure enthusiasts in Lyon!
L'asuce maligne : If you like to have fun too, discover this fun activity to try out in Lyon. It's not free, but it's hilarious!
4. Strolling the traboules, Lyon's top free activities
Whether you're visiting Lyon for a weekend or devoting more time to the city, the traboules are a must-see. Found in Vieux Lyon, on the Presqu'île and in the Croix-Rousse district, they have made the city's reputation. These narrow passages link two streets together, passing through buildings. An ingenious way to get around town! While those in Vieux-Lyon date back to the Renaissance, those in Croix-Rousse are a little more recent (XVIIIᵉ and XIXᵉ centuries). Discovering Lyon's traboules is free , and it's a great way to get away from the crowded streets framed by stores: we agree, but beware! Not all of them are open to the public.
5. Museums, free activities in Lyon... sometimes!
Let's be honest, museums are mostly free on the first Sunday of the month. However, it's a godsend if you want to discover and learn in some of Lyon's finest museums without paying anything. Free museums in Lyon on Sundays
- Musée des Beaux-Arts,
- Musée d'Art Contemporain,
- Les Musées Gadagne,
- Musée de l'Automobile Henri Malartre,
- Musée de l'Imprimerie et de la communication graphique,
- Center d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation.
The Musée Gallo-Romain also opens its doors free of charge on the 1ᵉʳ Sunday of the month, as well as for a wide range of visitors (young people, senior citizens, people with disabilities and many others.) For its part, the Musée des Confluences is free for under-18s.
6. Free activities in Lyon: visit and admire the Fourvière basilica
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, built between 1870 and 1896, is a must-see among Lyon's free activities. A landmark monument in Lyon, it is, as its name suggests, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Listed as a historic monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts over 2.5 million free visitors every year. With its 86-metre length and architecture combining Byzantine, Gothic and Roman styles, it proudly displays its four towers representing the cardinal virtues. Push open the doors: the richly decorated interior features two superimposed churches (unusual!) and prestigious materials. Cupolas, stained glass windows, chapels and mosaics: a superb program awaits you.
7. Relax in the Musée Gadagne's Jardin Suspendu
Did you know that Lyon was a major rose production center at the beginning of the last century? The Belle de Gadagne rose, with its beautiful pastel salmon-pink color, even comes directly from there. Roses, and many other species of flowers, can be seen in the Musée de Gadagne's hanging garden and café, located on the 4th floor of the museum, which is open to visitors free of charge. It's an astonishing green haven of peace in the heart of the city, inviting you to stroll around. A romantic moment in sight!
8. Free in Lyon: the Montluc Prison National Memorial
Less bucolic, but so interesting, the Mémorial National de la Prison de Montluc is one of Lyon's free activities. Above all, it's a place of remembrance, a reminder of the horrors of the past. A Nazi prison during the Second World War, it was a sad part of the region's history, particularly for Jean Moulin, who was incarcerated there along with 10,000 other prisoners.
9. Visit Saint-Jean Cathedral, a free activity in Lyon
Like all religious buildings, the Cathédrale Saint-Jean, or Primatiale Saint-Jean, offers an interesting free tour. Located in the heart of Vieux-Lyon, it blends Gothic and Romanesque styles. An amazing discovery: you can see a XVIᵉ century astronomical clock, indicating the positions of celestial bodies, as well as superb XIIᵉ century stained glass windows, including a beautiful central rose window. With its three portals adorned with statues and medallions depicting biblical scenes, the facade, too, is a pure marvel.
Did you know? The cathedral has been the setting for major historical events, such as the coronation of Pope John XXII.
10. Parc de la Tête d'Or, a must-see in Lyon
If Lyon is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it's partly for the beauty of its parks. Part botanical garden, part zoological park, part African plain, the Parc de la Tête d'Or is one of Lyon's must-see attractions. This verdant paradise beloved of the Lyonnais invites you to rest, relax and unwind. Children will love the pedal horses, the carousel and the rosalie rides, but be careful! While admission to the park and the rides are free, the activities are not!
Smart fact: The park's name dates back long before its creation. The Crusaders buried a golden Christ's earth here. Never found, it remains a mystery..
11. Admire Lyon's mural art for free!
We're heading for the Croix-Rousse, a neighborhood not to be missed among the top 17 must-do's in Lyon, but this time to discover street art. On the slopes of this hilltop district, street artists have a field day. What a show! There are plenty of places in Lyon where you'll find trendy murals:
- La Fresque des Lyonnais, depicting emblematic figures of the city.
- La Guillotière and its unusual graffiti.
- La Fresque des Canuts, Europe's largest painted wall.
- The Writers' Wall and its giant library.
However, if you like exceptional murals, the Croix-Rousse tunnel is the place to go. A special entrance protects pedestrians, allowing them to admire interactive 2.0 frescoes projected onto the walls. Splendid!
12. Stroll through the galleries of rue Burdeau
Over the years, rue de Burdeau has become a major hub forcontemporary art exhibitions. A dozen galleries, with free admission, have recently sprung up at the foot of the Croix-Rousse slopes. Galerie Le Réverbère, a local institution, has been present for almost 30 years. Focusing on contemporary photography, it presents works by renowned artists such as William Klein, Denis Roche and Bernard Plossu. If you can only visit one, this is the one we recommend! You'll discover some captivating exhibitions, before exploring the other galleries nearby, if you feel like it.
13. Free activities in Lyon: the pleasures of Ile Barbe
An oasis of greenery awaits you in Lyon's 9th arrondissement.Ile Barbe, located in the heart of the Saône river, is the promise of bucolic walks that invite you to daydream. Once home to druids, today it welcomes curious strollers looking for a peaceful place to stroll. This green setting is also appreciated by gourmets, who come to feast at the table of the Auberge de l'île Barbe, a gourmet restaurant. From theNotre-Dame church to children's playgrounds and quiet footpaths, there's something for every member of the family. It's also possible to book a mini-cruise, whose itinerary includes a visit to Île Barbe.
14. Free activities in Lyon: climb Fourvière hill and admire the view
While it's often visited for its basilica and Roman theaters, the Fourvière hill has another asset: a panoramic view of the city! This highest point reveals all the beauty of the city, including the superb Opera House with its unique dome, Place Bellecour, and the Oxygène Tower. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Mont-Blanc! A panoramic stroll then takes you through parks and gardens to the Fourvière Basilica. You'll find different viewpoints everywhere.
The smart tip : a funicular, accessible from old Lyon, takes you up to the hill, while you admire the city from a privileged vantage point.
15. Admire the city from the Jardin des Curiosités
It's a curious name, inviting you to take a twenty-minute walk from Place Bellecour (or a funicular ride to Saint-Just, if you prefer). The Jardin des Curiosités is one of the best things to do in Lyon in summer, or simply when the view is clear. Also known as the Jardin de Montréal, it's located in Lyon's 5th arrondissement. This park, created in 2000 to celebrate the relationship between Lyon and Montreal, invites you to enjoy a bucolic moment in a lush, relaxing setting. The driveway at the entrance leads straight to a belvedere, the undisputed highlight of the garden. You'll be rewarded with a spectacular view of the city!
Finally, we invite you to broaden your horizons a little. Just outside Lyon, in Saint-Romain-au-Mont-d'Or, the Demeure du Chaos awaits you. Housed in a former coaching inn, this open-air museum of the future is a real trailblazer. Free of charge, you can talk to the artists, touch them and take photos. A must-see! All that's left is to find the best addresses for brunches, restaurants and cheap hotels in Lyon, and you're ready to go! Travelling and sightseeing without breaking the bank is well and truly possible with a few tricks up your sleeve. And that's just what we're good at! You'll also find plenty of markets in Lyon. Whether you decide to shop there or not, they allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city and meet the producers and artisans.
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