Why visit
Lyon is France's gastronomic capital. Bouchons for traditional food, Vieux Lyon's Renaissance old town, and traboules (hidden passageways) used by silk weavers.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Lyon is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Lyon connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for France.
Lyon at a glance
City population
522k
Metro: 2.3 million
Elevation
170 m
558 ft
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 DST)
Europe/Paris
Airport
LYS
Lyon-Saint Exupéry
Founded
43 BCE (Roman Lugdunum)
Getting around
Metro (4 lines), trams, funiculars, buses
Signature dish
Quenelle de brochet, salade lyonnaise, praline tart, bouchon cooking
Neighborhoods for travelers
Vieux LyonPresqu'îleCroix-RousseConfluence
France at a glance
Country center
46.0°, 2.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
551,695 km²
213,011 mi²
Country population
64.8 million
117/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+33
Language
French
Demonym
French
Internet
.fr
UN
Member state
ISO code
FR / FRA
Where in the world
46.0° - 2.0°
France
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Lyon is considered France's gastronomic capital; the "bouchon" bistro tradition is unique to the city.
- Traboules (covered passageways between buildings) were used by silk workers; some date from the 4th century and are still public.
- Lyon is the birthplace of cinema: the Lumière brothers filmed the first-ever movie here in 1895.
- France is the most-visited country in the world: around 90 million tourists annually.
- The Eiffel Tower was meant to be temporary: built for the 1889 World's Fair and only kept because it made a good radio antenna.
Bordering France
Traveler notes
- Paul Bocuse's restaurant still operates
- Les Halles Paul Bocuse market
- Day-trip to Beaujolais or Côtes du Rhône
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Lyon
What currency is used in Lyon?
Lyon uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in France?
The primary language is French.
What is the international calling code for France?
The calling code is +33.
What airport serves Lyon?
Lyon-Saint Exupéry (IATA: LYS).
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