View List On MapMore Top 10 Lists
- Tours
- Cool Activities
- Fun Things to Do
- Romantic Things to Do
- Castles, Palaces & Historic Buildings
- Family Friendly Attractions
- Markets
- Museum Exhibits
- Parks
- Religious Sites
- Things to Do Near Fifth Arrondissement
- Things to Do Near Presqu'île/Second Arrondissement
- Things to Do Near Vieux Lyon
- Unusual Things to Do
- Even more lists
- Ask a Local
- Locals have answered 5 questions about Lyon.
- Ask Lyon Locals
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1. Parc de la Tête d'Or
- Large and lovely nostalgic park
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
- Nile Expert Tip: This beautifully landscaped park should not be missed on a visit to Lyon. Mature lush greenery, cultivated...
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2. Esplanade de Fourvière
- Panoramic Views of the Croix-Rousse
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- Nature & Wildlife
- Fourvière
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3. Col de la Luère
- Hiking in the Lyonnais mountains
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- Tours
- West of Lyons
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4. Ile Barbe (L')
- Remains of Medieval Monastery on an Island in the Saône River
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- North of Lyons
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5. Rhône (Le)
- The grand river of Lyon
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- 4WD
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6. Marche Aux Livres
- Famous book market along Lyon's River Saône
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- Markets
- Old Lyons
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7. Promenades Navig'inter
- Boat trips along the Rhône and Saône rivers
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- Boating
- Perrache
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8. Piscine du Rhône
- Seasonal outdoor swimming pool next to the River Rhône
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- 4WD
- Guillotière
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9. Parc Chambovet
- Large and active park in Lyon
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
- Etats-Unis/Montplaisir
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10. Institut Lumière
- Where cinema was born
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- 4WD
- Etats-Unis/Montplaisir
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The Best of NileGuide
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You don't have to go outside of the city to find outdoor activities in Lyon, being a city that manages its urban and natural balance well, visitors can find an abundance of outdoor things to do right in the centre of town. Top of the list, Lyon's Parc de la Tête d'Or provides plenty of amusement for even the most active of outdoor explorer. The park is huge (105 hectares huge), comprising a zoo, an amusement area, a deer park, botanical gardens and a tropical greenhouse, although you will have to drag yourself inside for the tropical greenhouse.
Second on the list, Esplanade de Fourvière is an outdoor point of interest not to be missed, as it is The prime location for viewing the whole of Lyon from the top of Fourvière hill. But if you prefer some "real" outdoor activities, head to Col de la Luère for some trekking in the heart of the Lyonnaise mountains. If that sounds altogether too energetic, you could take the less strenuous option of a nice little ramble around the lovely river-locked island of L'Ile Barbe, or a nice meander along the River Rhône, which features 8 kilometres of pedestrianised walkway for your wandering comfort.
Staying riverside, Lyon is famous for its Marche Aux Livres at Quai de la Pecherie, located on the quay and along the banks of the River Saône. Quai de la Pecherie is one of the prettiest quays in Lyon, so visiting the book market here, on a Saturday or Sunday, is an quaint outdoor activity with an added dose of intellectual ambiance, and when you've finish at the market, you can take in the fresh river air on a boat trip with Promenades Navig'inter.
