10 Things to Do in Lyon on a Small Budget

If you plan to seriously explore Lyon and its attractions, the City Card will help you to save a fair amount of money. Available with a validity of between 1 and 4 days, it lets you use all the city’s public transportation: bus, tram, metro, Velo’v and funicular. Plus, it gives you free admission or discounted entrance to over 50 attractions.

Note that, if you’re not planning to go to any of the attractions, the Lyon City Card won’t be suitable. Instead, A 1-day City Pass, a ‘Ticket Liberté 1 Jour’ in French, is better value for money if you only want discounts on getting around.

Lyon city centre is home to an impressive number of beautiful religious buildings. Besides the impressive Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Cathedral of Saint-John the Baptist, the Old Town alone has 4 awe-inspiring churches.

The most beautiful churches in Lyon include Saint-Nizier Church on Rue Saint-Nizier, Saint-George Church on Quai Fulchiron and Saint-Martin d'Ainay Abbey on Rue Bourgelat. Even if you’re not religious, you’ll be amazed by the architecture and adornments of these places. Most allow you to step inside to marvel at their interiors for free, just be mindful of worship times.

Located on the scenic banks of the River Saône just north of the city centre, the Park de la Tête d’Or is one of the largest urban public parks in France. Besides the many paths that crisscross the park, offering kilometres of jogging and cycling tracks, the park is home to a botanical garden and a zoo, both of which are visually incredible and can be visited for free.

You’ll have an amazing time at inexpensive attractions doing activities like boating on the glittering lake, riding the adorable mini-train and taking the kids on the charming carousel. With various restaurants and snack stalls found in the park, you’ll easily spend a whole day here.

Hike to the top of Fourvière Hill to see the best views of Lyon, day or night. Once up there, you can also visit the stunning 19th-century Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, one of the main landmarks of the city, as well as explore some ancient Roman ruins. It’s the perfect place to take some souvenir photos to immortalise your holiday in Lyon.

As the hike to this UNESCO World Heritage site is demanding, you can also reach the top by funicular. A single ticket is very cheap, and the funicular ride is included in the price of a public transportation 1-Day City Pass.

The mysterious traboules are a network of hidden passageways that meander through Lyon’s Old Town and the Croix-Rousse district. The secret, covered corridors connecting streets to each other between the old buildings are a truly iconic sight of Lyon. About 40 of them are open to the public, will you be able to find them all?

You can get a map of the traboules at the Office of Tourism on Bellecourt Square, letting you explore them by yourself. Alternatively, guided tours are also available at a cost, should you want to hear more about these intriguing passages from an expert.

The Confluence district is the point where the Saône and Rhône Rivers blend together, at the southern tip of the Presqu’île, or the Peninsula in English. This former industrial area, once filled with empty warehouses, has been fully renovated and now hosts modern buildings that boast innovative design and architecture.

Home to a large shopping centre, restaurants, nightspots and boutiques, you’ll also find the Museum of the Confluences here. This fascinating science centre and anthropology museum charges a small fee but it’s a must-see when in Lyon. There are some wondrous sites around this innovative district, so make sure you take your camera.

If you’re looking for some vintage finds and unique souvenirs, then head to Les Puces du Canal, or the Canal Flea Market, which is held 3 times a week in Villeurbanne, 5 km northeast of the city centre. It hosts about 200 permanent vendors plus another 400 guest sellers offering an eclectic choice of goods, from clothing to furniture to household items and much more. Get your bargaining skills ready to make good deals.

You can really lose yourself in this huge second-hand market. The ambience is super friendly and convivial, and you’ll even find restaurants, cafés and a bakery on site.

Built somewhere between 15 BC and the 1st century AD, the Gallo-Roman Theatre and the Odeon are stunning examples of the ancient city of Lugdunum, as Lyon was called by the Romans. Both venues are still in use today, hosting concerts and festivals showcasing artforms like dance, opera, circus and music. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, it’s free to walk around them.

The adjacent museum is dedicated to the Roman occupation of Lyon and contains some incredible artefacts. Entrance is fairly cheap, or you can visit for free on the first Sunday of the month.

Lyon’s cuisine is famous not only for its incredible flavours, but also for its high quality. Often considered the capital city of French gastronomy, you can find delicious restaurants at budget prices. We’ve picked 3 excellent restaurants in the city centre for you to enjoy, but feel free to find your own.

Try Gourmix Terreaux on Rue de la Platière, for incredibly juicy burgers with mouth-watering toppings. A few streets away, you can lunch on delicious open sandwiches named tartines at the Bistrot a Tartines on Rue de la Monnaie. On the other side of the Rhone River, head to Le Bistrot des Fauves on Rue Saint-Michel, to sample genuine local cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.

A 5 km promenade built along the east bank of the Rhône River offers a very pleasant place to wander in the evening, especially when backdropped by a glorious sunset. Here’s a recipe for a delightful, inexpensive evening: purchase a bottle of the local Beaujolais or Côte-du-Rhone wine and take a seat at one of the many comfortable spots along the embankment.

Savour the rich fruity notes in a peaceful atmosphere and watch the river flow by in front of the Old Town. It’s especially beautiful at night, when it’s lit by the city lights.