Lyon Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 8.3/10
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October for mild weather; December for the Festival of Lights.
- Population
- 1.7M
Overview
France's gastronomic capital, Lyon sits at the confluence of two rivers with a Renaissance old town threaded by secret traboule passages. Roman ruins, silk-weaving heritage, and cozy bouchon bistros make it a feast for the senses.
Getting around
An efficient metro, trams, funiculars, and buses serve the city, with a walkable old town.
Local etiquette
Greet with 'bonjour' and take meals seriously; Lyonnais take great pride in their food culture.
Safety
Lyon is generally safe; use normal caution against pickpockets around transit hubs and at night.