What to Do in Lyon in Winter (+ Seasonal Tips)

Winter in Lyon

Lyon is one of the most iconic destinations in France. In winter, Lyon discloses a magical side that only a few tourists get to visit. You can enjoy the best places to visit in Lyon and tourist attractions without crowds, so you can admire them as long as you please.

If the outside temperatures get too cold for you in Lyon, you will find great museums to visit and eateries where you can try the Lyonesse cuisine. The city also hosts the best winter festival in France that you really don’t want to miss!

So, are you curious to discover all that Lyon has to offer during the coldest months of the year? Then, keep reading for the best things to do in Lyon in winter. This Lyon winter list is valid for Lyon in December, Lyon in January, and Lyon in February.

Lyon Winter Temperatures

• Average temperatures in Lyon in December: 7 C to 1 C (44,6 to 33,8 F)
• Average temperatures in Lyon in January: 6,4 C to 0,3 C (42,8 to 32 F)
• Average temperatures in Lyon in February: 8,4 C to 1,1C (46,4 to 33,8 F)

Does it snow in Lyon? Snowfall is frequent in Lyon between December and February, with around 20 snow days per year. Statistically, the month with the most days of snowfall is January, with 5,5 days of snowfall on average.

Things to Do in Lyon in Winter

This list of what to do in Lyon in winter includes historical sites, cultural attractions, and fun day trips. Spend two days in Lyon to cover the best places to visit in Lyon and get a good taste of what the city has to offer. Spend more time if you are willing to explore the city’s surroundings on day trips from Lyon.

Is Lyon worth visiting in winter? Winter Festivals, great museums, and delicious food make Lyon an excellent destination to visit all year round!

Lyon Light Festival

If you want to visit Lyon in December, don’t miss the Fête des Lumières, Lyon’s Light Festival. This annual event, during which the city is lit up with colorful light games, marks the beginning of the holiday season in Lyon.

The Festival of Lights unveils the city’s treasures with the creative illumination of its streets, monuments, and buildings, and the Rhône and the Saône banks. Stroll around Lyon to admire the brilliant showcase of technology and artistry that combine to light up the city’s most famous landmarks, making them more beautiful than ever.

The 2024 edition of the Festival of Lights will take place from Thursday, 5 December, to Sunday, 8 December. For what to see and do, check out my quick guide to the Festival of Lights.

Stroll the Lyon Christmas Market at Place Carnot

Enter the jolly, festive atmosphere by visiting Lyon’s Christmas Market. The market boasts more than 90 wooden chalets where you can find all sorts of items, from hand-made accessories to artisan sweets to hot food and drinks, like mulled wine.

The Christmas Market in Lyon is decorated with twinkling lights and plays cheerful music everywhere, creating the ultimate Christmas vibes.

The Lyon Christmas Market offers plenty of fun activities for kids as well, with a classic merry-go-round, a small train to ride, and face-painting stations.

Whether you plan to spend Christmas in Lyon or just want to buy some gifts, you can visit the Lyon Christmas Market from 24th November to 24th December 2024 (to be confirmed). The market open hours are Sunday to Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you are in the Croix Rousse neighborhood, don’t miss the Marché aux Sapins de Noël at Place Croix Rousse (until 24th December).

Hike up to Fourbière Hill and Take in the Views

The best viewpoint in Lyon is, without a doubt, the Fourvière Hill. Located across the Saône River from Vieux Lyon, the Fourvière Hill is Lyon’s most ancient part. The hill is history-rich and boasts several beautiful churches, particularly the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.  

From the Fourvière Hill, you can enjoy panoramic views of Lyon in winter and spot many of its landmarks across the river, from Lyon Cathedral to the Presqu’Île and Place Bellecour. Sometimes, you can even see the French Alps and the Montblanc, but be warned: this is a clear sign that it’s going to rain soon!

This view is even more magical when everything is covered in snow! If you are in Lyon while it snows, rush to the Fourvière Hill, as the snow usually melts fast.

Coffee Break + Tarte à la Praline

After much sightseeing and the cold outside temperature, nothing is better than a warm and cozy break.

The best way to rest and recharge is by sipping a hot coffee in one of Lyon’s many pretty cafés while eating a classic winter dessert, Tarte à la Praline. With its characteristic pink color, this sweet consists of a short pastry filled with a creamy mix of crushed caramelized almonds and hazelnuts.

Why pink? Good sellers, the Lyonnais chose a color that was original and eye-catching.

You can also order Tarte à la Praline in every eatery in town and in boulangeries to eat it on the go.

This is not typical of Lyon, but this spectacular café gourmand raised my spirits after a long morning exploring Lyon in the cold! I found it in the restaurant L’Authentik, 1 Place du Change, in Lyon’s Old Town. I still remember it!!

Learn about the Origins and History of Lyon

One of the unmissable things to do in Lyon in winter is learning about its long history. Start by visiting the Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon, whose highlight is the Roman amphitheaters. You will find the museum at 17 Rue Cléberg. It is open Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Continue exploring Lyon’s history by joining this walking tour of Old Lyon, where an expert guide will disclose all its hidden gems.

You can also visit the Musée Gadagne, which contains the Lyon History Museum and the Puppet Arts Museum. Located at 1 Place du Petit Collège, the museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you are interested in WW2 history and the French Resistance in Lyon, you can take this audio tour while strolling around the city. Alternatively, visit the Centre d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation. The museum is at 14 Avenue Berthelot and is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lyon Museums that Make Great Indoor Activities

When it rains in Lyon, or it’s too cold outside, there are many interesting museums worth exploring.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts houses the biggest art collection in France outside of Paris. This top-notch museum is located at 20 Place des Terreaux. The museum is open Wednesday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 am to 6 pm.

The Musée des Confluences is Lyon’s new science and anthropology museum and it is built where the Rivers Rhône and Saône meet in Lyon (hence the name). The museum is located at 86 Quai Perrache. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

If you are interested in cinema, the Musée Lumière is the place to go. Housed in the family villa of the Lumière brothers (the inventors of the cinema) on 25 Rue du Premier, it is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You can also visit the hangar where the first film in history was shot!

Discover Lyon’s Local Food

Considered the gastronomical capital of France, Lyon offers many savory and sweet food specialties that you don’t want to miss trying.

A great way to start exploring the local food in Lyon is by visiting Les Halles Paul Bocuse, the city’s main indoor food market with stalls for shopping for fresh products and eateries for tasting local dishes. You will find Les Halles Paul Bocuse at 102 Cours Lafayette in the 8th Arrondissement. The market opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Sunday, from 7:30 am to 1 pm.

Another fantastic way to discover Lyon’s mouthwatering cuisine is by taking a food tour with tastings. This Lyon food tour perfectly combines Lyon’s food and history, and it’s mainly indoor, which makes it a perfect winter activity.

Dine in a Bouchon

Another spot where you can try the local cuisine in a warm and cozy atmosphere is the bouchon. Bouchons are Lyon’s traditional eateries and are rightfully part of the city’s cultural and historical heritage.

Dining in a bouchon is an unforgettable gastronomic experience as you can eat local specialties and wines.

Starting from the aperitif with a glass of Communard, a traditional meal in a bouchon continues with Lyonnais Sausages and the special cheese Cervelle de Canut. As a main course, you can order Quenelles (savory dumplings filled with meat or fish) or a Tablier de Sapeur (marinated beef tripe), while for dessert, enjoy a classic Praliné Tart.

Catch a Show in Lyon

One of the best ways to spend a winter night in Lyon is by catching a show at the Opera House. Located in 1 Place de la Comédie, the stunning Lyon Opera House is hosted in a building with a long history.

Famous French architect Jean Nouvel completely modernized the venue, and only the perimeter walls and the foyer remain of the original neoclassical structure. A peculiarity of the theater is the five floors built inside a distinctive glazed barrel vault which you can spot from Fourvière Hill.

The Lyon Opera House’s program is varied and features operas, concerts, and ballets. The dress code to attend a show at the Opera House is elegant and smart-casual.

Check out Lyon Opera House’s full program, and book your favorite show on the official website.

If you are interested in more contemporary shows, check out Lyon’s wide selection of concerts, plays, or shows, and buy your tickets here.

Take a Day Tour to Annecy (French Alps)

A great idea when visiting Lyon in winter is taking a day trip to the nearby Annecy. This picture-perfect town is immersed in the French Alps, and when snow falls, it turns into a winter wonderland.

You will love strolling around Annecy’s scenic canals lit with Christmas lights and visiting the fantastic seasonal markets to try rich and hearty local foods and buy handmade items.

Also known as the Venice of the Alps, this nickname takes its full sense during the two-and-a-half days of the Carnival, when several hundreds of masks roam in the streets of the Old Town, pose, parade, and group together on the catwalks. Annecy’s Venetian Carnival usually takes place at the end of February or the beginning of March. The dates for 2025 are from 7 to 9 March 2025.

Annecy is easily reachable from Lyon by train in just 2 hours. You can check the train times and buy the tickets here.

Go Skiing from Lyon by Train

Once you have explored the city, head to the mountains for some winter fun in the French Alps. Non-skiers will also have a wide choice of fun winter activities and experiences so it’s a great getaway for all the family.

Here are the best ski resorts near Lyon by train:

L’Alpe d’Huez (Northern Alps, Isère): take the train to Grenoble (less than 1’5 hours) and then a shuttle to Alpe d’Huez (1 hour 30 minutes). Check out the best things to do in L’Alpe d’Huez.

La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie): You will need to go to Annecy by train (2 hours) and then take a shuttle (about another half hour). Check out the best things to do in La Clusaz.

Les Arcs (Vallée de la Tarentese, Savoie): it’s a 3-3.5 hour train ride to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and then a 7-minute ride on the funicular. Check out the best things to do in Les Arcs.

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