Pierre Laurent, auteur à Lyon Secret

In the morning, it's curiosity that gets me out of bed... come on! The deal is simple: let you discover what needs to be seen and, at the same time, let you sit up as little as possible. My hobbies: culture from A to Z and escapades from north to south.

Just an hour from Lyon, this little-known town is nonetheless world-famous; the Michelin Guide ranks it among the “Most Beautiful Detours in France”

Located in the foothills of the Monts du Lyonnais, this charming little town has a very special feature: beyond simply being a place to visit, it can be “drunk.” Just like the village of Camembert, which...

Culture Things to do

This September in Lyon, an exhibition on Robert Doisneau will bring together more than 400 original photographs—it is the largest retrospective dedicated to the photographer in over 20 years

As we celebrate the bicentennial of photography this year, Lyon is hosting one of its greatest practitioners with great fanfare. Organized under the auspices of the Atelier Robert Doisneau, founded by his...

Things to do

Lyon will come alive in the age of gladiators with the new experience ROME: Forbidden Battles—tickets are now on sale

In late September, Lyon becomes Lugdunum once again, inviting you to step back into the age of gladiators, as the Lyon Hippodrome is transformed into a Roman Colosseum. What’s on the program? A life-size...

Culture Escapes Things to do

Just 50 minutes from Lyon, this village, designated a “cité de caractère” (town of character), is home to a thousand-year-old abbey—its church, featuring Romanesque frescoes unique in France, was in fact among the first buildings to be listed as historic monuments as early as 1840.

With this heat, it’s important to stay hydrated. But let’s not forget to quench our thirst in another way as well. For while drinking water is essential, so too is immersing ourselves in our local heritag...

Culture Secret Guides

A 12th-century structure, the city’s first hospital, a masterful work reimagined by Soufflot, a colossus 400 meters long… a look back at the extraordinary history (and proportions) of Lyon’s Hôtel-Dieu

If you invite friends from outside Lyon for a weekend in the capital of Gaul, the reaction is often the same: “Oh my, it’s huge!” And indeed, it is. It’s one of the giants of Lyon’s skyline, just like Pla...

Culture Escapes Things to do

Just 2.5 hours from Lyon, this “Most Beautiful Village in France”—with a population of 150—is a true treasure of our cultural heritage. Its castle, perched on a volcanic peak, looks as if it were straight out of The Lord of the Rings

Nestled deep in a remote valley, this village offers a cinematic setting straight out of *The Lord of the Rings*. Imagine: a rocky outcrop about a hundred meters high, surrounded by a river, where you’ll...

Escapes Food & drink Things to do

Just an hour from Lyon, this vineyard—symbolized by this 15th-century windmill, classified as a historic monument—is often considered the most prestigious in the Beaujolais region.

“Beaujolais” is a magical word for anyone from Lyon. It refers to a place just a stone’s throw from home that is unique in the world: recognized as a UNESCO Geopark for its geological richness, it is also...

Culture Music Things to do

Designed first by Soufflot and then by Jean Nouvel, with a total of 18 stories—including 5 underground levels—and named “the world’s best opera house” in 2017… a look back at the Lyon Opera House, one of the city’s most iconic buildings

Its architecture reflects the city of Lyon itself: a bridge between the past and the present. If Lyon is recognized by UNESCO as having Outstanding Universal Value, it is above all for its architecture—a...

Escapes Things to do

Just 1 hour and 20 minutes from Lyon, this village surrounded by vineyards is home to a thousand-year-old priory, earning it dual designations as a “City and Region of Art and History” and a “Vignobles & Découvertes” site.

There are countless ancient sites to discover around Lyon: Tournus, Salles-Arbuissonnas, Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, Ambierle, and Ambronay, as well as Cluny…all you have to do is look at a map of the region a...

Sport Things to do

Soccer, rugby, archery, dance, rock climbing… a Sports Village will be held for nearly three weeks in Villeurbanne, and admission is completely free

With the World Cup barely over and the Tour de France in full swing, we’re experiencing a decidedly athletic July. While August is usually a quieter month, it’s still the perfect time for the Lyon metropo...