Advertisement

Lyon cruise port guide

Cruise visitors could take a walk to St Jean cathedral, timing it right to see the astronomical clock - Peter Gridley
Cruise visitors could take a walk to St Jean cathedral, timing it right to see the astronomical clock - Peter Gridley

Why go?

Situated at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône, Lyon is the world’s gastronomic capital with multiple Michelin restaurants, including the three-star Auberge du pont de Collonges founded by Paul Bocuse. When it’s time to walk off the calories, there are plenty of culture-rich sights too.

Location

France’s second city is the starting and finishing point for cruises on the Saône and conjoined Rhône taking in Burgundy, Provence and the South of France. Ships moor on the eastern bank of the Rhône, close to the Pont de l’Université bridge that provides easy access to the opposite bank.

Can I walk to any places of interest?

Attractive small boutiques are close to the docking spot and you never have far to walk to find a café or restaurant. Historic Le Vieux Lyon is just over a mile away so pack comfy shoes, particularly if you plan to tackle steep Fourvière Hill.   

Getting around

Lyon’s excellent TCL public transport system comprises metro, tram, funicular railway and bus routes. Timed tickets can be used across the network and start at €1.80/£1.60 for one hour and you can change as many times as you want during the period. They must be validated before boarding.

What to see and do

What can I do in four hours or less?

Start at the top with a visit to the 19th century Notre Dame Basilica on Fourvière Hill, originally the birthplace of the Roman settlement known as Lugdunum or Raven’s Hill. River cruise passengers are taken by coach as part of a general city tour, with a photo stop in front of the basilica to admire sweeping views of the cityscape.

Notre Dame Basilica - Credit: iStock
A walk up Fourvière Hill will reward with views of Notre Dame Basilica Credit: iStock

From here independent guests, who can travel up by funicular, should stroll back towards the river through the delightful narrow streets of the Unesco-listed Le Vieux Lyon district, which is jam packed with Renaissance buildings –one of the largest concentrations in Europe.

Dominating the heart of the old town is St Jean Cathedral constructed over three centuries from 1175 to 1480. If possible time your visit for 12 midday, two or three o’clock when the various figures on the spectacular 16th century astronomical clock inside the cathedral come to life.

What can I do in eight hours or less?

Spend more time exploring (and getting lost) in Le Vieux Lyon’s labyrinth of traboules, or passageways, once used by silk manufacturers and other merchants to transport goods. Puppetry, immortalised in the character Guignol, is a Lyonnaise tradition dating back centuries. The Museum of Puppetry Arts, inside a 16th century Renaissance building, reopened in November 2018 and visitors can meet Guignol and his stringed counterparts.

La Confluence - Credit: iStock
See the Saône and Rhône converge at La Confluence Credit: iStock

Wander through the parks and along the attractive waterfront at La Confluence, the revamped industrial and dock area where the Saône and Rhône meet. Attractions include the namesake Musée des Confluences, a fascinating interactive natural history museum housed in a futuristic building.

Designed in the style of a grand English garden and just shy of 300 acres, Parc de la Tête d’Or is France’s biggest city park with impressive glass houses growing plants from around the globe and rose gardens with 350 different varieties.

What can I do with a bit longer?

Most ships dock overnight and if you’re staying in June and July check out Les Nuits de Fourvière, dramatic shows combining music, dance, drama and other performance arts staged at the Gallo-Roman theatre.

During the day visit the Tapestry Museum, close to the mooring spot, that traces Lyon’s leading role in the French silk industry.

Lyon aerial view - Credit: iStock
If time allows, it's worth visiting a few of Lyon's neighbourhoods Credit: iStock

Eat and drink

Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse, in La Part-Dieu neighbourhood and named after the father of nouvelle cuisine, is a mouth-watering one-stop foodie paradise with three floors of quality food stalls and eateries. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, Sunday morning and for oysters only on Monday.

Alternatively try a traditional bouchon, the rustic family-run taverns where diners sometimes sit at communal tables. Best for committed carnivores, they specialise in all manner of sausages, pork and duck served with pommes Lyonnaise, the classic dish of sliced pan fried potatoes and sliced onions sautéed with butter and parsley.

Don’t leave Lyon without…

Indulgingin the city’s 100-year-old chocolate-making tradition with some artisan chocolates. For a longer lasting souvenir, silk is a top purchase and many cruise lines offer trips to one of the factories in the Croix-Rousse production district where there are many shops selling ties, scarves and silk clothing.

Lyon citysape - Credit: Getty
Lyon's charms are easy to admire from a height Credit: Getty

Need to know

Flight time from the UK

Lyon is an easy one hour and 45 minute flight from the UK.

Safety

Crime is not a major issue; just take the usual precautions to guard against pick-pockets in busy areas. Take care when crossing the road as drivers often don’t stop at pedestrian crossings.

Best time to go

Avoid August when many locals go on holiday and some smaller shops and restaurants are closed.

Closures

Some museums are closed on Monday or Tuesday so check before travelling if there’s one you particularly want to see. Most shops close on Sunday.

Save money

The Lyon City Card offers free entry to 23 museums, a Saône boat trip and Guignol puppet show, plus unlimited public transport.