Summer is in full swing, and Lyon is already showcasing all its magic as a summer destination. The outdoor dining areas are always packed, the riverbanks are the setting for daytime strolls and evening drinks, and festivals follow one after another from one weekend to the next…On the agenda: even more time spent outdoors to enjoy the sun and its historic eclipse! Picnics, festivals, swimming pools, lakes, and even outdoor exhibitions: here are the events and activities you won’t want to miss this summer in Lyon.
Racine combines refined cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and affordable set menus. Opened in 2017 and awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide, it features a concise, ever-changing menu that follows the seasons and showcases masterful cooking. On the menu: lunch and dinner set menus (€23 / €27) and, on the first Saturday of every month, the “Chef’s Meal” (€46, drinks not included).
Located in Lovagny, just 1.5 hours from Lyon, the Gorges du Fier captivate visitors with their magnificent landscapes. This spectacular canyon can be explored via a suspension bridge 25 meters above the water. During a one-hour walk, you’ll admire vertiginous cliffs, astonishing rock formations, and the famous “Mer des Rochers.” The most observant visitors will even spot faces naturally carved into the stone. A place that offers both thrills and wonder—to be experienced to the fullest… if you’re not too afraid of heights!
Step through the doors of the Cinema & Miniature Museum, a place that’s truly one of a kind! Housed in an iconic 15th-century building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this extraordinary museum immerses you in the magic of cinema and the art of miniatures. Across 2,000 m² of exhibition space, more than 10,000 original objects await you: costumes, sets, iconic props… a veritable Aladdin’s cave for all movie enthusiasts. Want to run into Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, or Batman in a spectacular setting?
More than 90 original works by Mucha brought together for the first time in Lyon. To extend the summer as it should be, a new exhibition dedicated to Alphonse Mucha opens at the Grand-Hôtel-Dieu in Lyon in early September, bringing together for the first time more than 90 original works (posters, drawings, paintings) divided into six sections and enhanced by immersive installations. An exhibition you won’t want to miss under any circumstances. Will we see you there?
The urge to take a dip in the summer is a pleasure you just can’t resist. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just looking to cool off (yes, we’re talking about swimming pools, not drinks), there’s nothing like a dip to refresh yourself. After sharing our picks for bars, restaurants, exhibits, and events, we’ve turned our attention to a seasonal classic: the top swimming pools in Lyon!
Let yourself be swept away by a unique musical experience in the heart of the crypt of the Fourvière Basilica with Candlelight. In this historic setting, the exceptional acoustics enhance these pop-rock covers with classical touches. A timeless escape to savor alone, with a loved one, or with friends!
For a culinary break during your summer in Lyon, head to La Virée: located on Rue Jean-Larrivé in the 3rd arrondissement near the Guillotière Bridge, this award-winning spot (Bib Gourmand)— voted best bistro in France in 2025 —offers a €20 lunch special and market-fresh cuisine just the way we like it.
For a summer getaway steeped in history, Autun is an open-air museum of ancient and medieval history. Autun, founded in 15 B.C. by Augustus, is a small Burgundian town with an exceptional heritage, featuring extensive ancient and medieval ruins. It’s located at the gateway to the Morvan Natural Park, a vast natural area perfect for hiking.
A medieval castle housing 13,000 unusual treasures just a stone’s throw from Annecy. For a summer getaway, head to the Château de Montrottier, located in Lovagny in Haute-Savoie. This 13th-century medieval palace, now a museum, houses a cabinet of curiosities containing some 13,000 objects. Bequeathed by Léon Marès to the Académie Florimontane, it has been open to the public since 1919 and holds the “Musée de France” designation.
Beaujeu, the historic heart of the Beaujolais region and the epicenter of the Sarmentelles festivities. For a summer getaway in the countryside just a stone’s throw from Lyon, head to Beaujeu: this small town surrounded by vineyards is the historic capital of the Beaujolais region and the epicenter of the Sarmentelles festivities marking the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. The Beaujolais region, designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018, offers a rich heritage (Saint-Nicolas Church, Renaissance-style houses, the Maison du Terroir museum), renowned wines, and numerous hiking trails.
For a summer getaway near Lyon, head to Montbrison, the former capital of the Forez region, which charms visitors with its historic center: the Notre-Dame-d’Espérance collegiate church, the Diana statue, and a library housing 30,000 volumes. And to experience the town at its best, don’t miss its Saturday market, which brings together 200 vendors and was voted “France’s Most Beautiful Market” in 2019.
Enjoy an ice cream at Terre Adelice
To cool off during the heat wave, what could be better than a delicious ice cream from one of our favorite Lyon ice cream shops? If you like to try different flavors, Terre Adelice in Vieux-Lyonis definitely the place to go. Elderflower, red kidney bean, agastache, or hibiscus—the ice cream shop offers over 150 sweet and savory flavors on the menu. It’s safe to say: there really is something for everyone!
For a summer getaway just outside Lyon, head to Vienne, a veritable open-air museum on the banks of the Rhône. Famous for its ancient theater and the Jazz à Vienne festival, it’s also known for hosting one of France’s largest markets every Saturday. With over 400 vendors—that says it all!
Among the must-see cultural events this late summer, the exhibition “Robert Doisneau, Instants donnés” at La Sucrière traces the photographer’s career through 400 original photographs—including previously unpublished works—as well as personal items, archival documents, and immersive spaces. The exhibition also features an audio guide narrated by Doisneau himself and highlights his photographs taken in Lyon during the 1950s.
