The end of the year often means not a penny left in the wallet. Between buying Christmas presents, new shoes to face the Viking cold and vaccinating your pooch, purses are empty. But luckily, Lyon is a generous city, for many reasons. From the great classics to less popular ideas for having fun without burning a hole in your pocket, here’s our selection of free things to do in Lyon.
Museums on the first Sunday of the month
Did you know? Many exhibitions are free for all on the first Sunday of every month. It’s a great opportunity to get your fill of culture without spending a penny. For example, we recommend the Musée des Confluences rooftop, where you can enjoy a 360º view of Lyon – a real treat, weather permitting!
Saint Jean Cathedral and its unique clock
Paradoxical, isn’t it? And yet it is. Lyon’s Cathédrale Saint Jean is home to one of the world’s finest timepieces. A colossus of cogs, over 10 meters high, dating back to… 1379, which means it’s seen many a day on its dial! Definitely a must-see.
📍 Place Saint Jean, Lyon 5
The Lyon Opera amphitheatre
Every lunchtime, the Amphi de l’Opéra national de Lyon offers free concerts. Located beneath the Opéra, opposite the town hall and not far from the Place des Terreaux, the diverse program invites you to discover music from all over the world. Each season has its own events, so find out more and choose your favorite lunch break.
📍 1 Place de la Comédie, Lyon 1
Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse
Would you like to enjoy the best concert and dance conditions while supporting the next generation? Lyon’s Conservatoire offers several free performances that deserve our full attention. Whether you’re into classical dance or contemporary music, there’s something for everyone. The best thing is to keep a regular eye on the program so you don’t miss a thing. But don’t forget to book in advance.
📍3 Quai Chauveau, Lyon 9
Fourvière Basilica
The Basilique de Fourvière is the city’s most important religious monument, standing proudly on the heights of Lyon, protecting the city for decades. It’s free to visit, and believe me, the interior is just as impressive as the exterior. You can take advantage of being at the top of the city to admire the panoramic view, and this is an opportunity to hop aboard the funicular!
📍 Place de Fourvière, Lyon 5
The frescoes
One of the distinctive features of our city, and one that contributes to its richness, is its painted walls. Dozens of them can be found on the walls of buildings, the best known being the Mur des Lyonnais, a fresco of Lyon celebrities, and the Fresque des Canuts, the largest painted wall in Europe. So take to the streets in search of these treasures. We recommend that you finish your walk at Croix-Rousse, where you’ll find many works of street art along the slopes. A word of advice: don’t forget to charge up your phone to shoot.
Jardin Rosa Mir
This enchanting garden is the work of Jules Senis Mir, a Spanish mason. He came to France to escape Franco’s regime and settled in Lyon. Stricken with cancer, he vowed to create the garden if he recovered. Once he had recovered, he began a long process of construction, stone by stone, shell by shell, to create this little bubble of paradise, classified as a historic monument. Today, it’s one of Lyon’s most beautiful gardens!
📍87 Grand Rue de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon 4
Les Traboules
Normally, no one tells you anything about the Traboules, but here’s a well-kept secret. Look for the plaques above the gates to Croix-Rousse and Vieux-Lyon, and all you have to do is push open the door. And if you don’t feel like looking, there’s a magic map to help you find them in no time at all .
Parc de la Tête d’Or and its zoo
Even if we’re not teaching you anything and it’s a well-known fact, it’s always good to remember how lucky the people of Lyon are to be able to stroll around the sumptuous Parc de la Tête d’Or free of charge. Take the opportunity to stroll through the park and fill up on greenery, away from the city. The Zoo remains a must-see for young and old alike. Unquestionably one of Lyon’s best free activities in any season.
📍 Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon 6
The Montluc Memorial
Not the most fun activity on this list, but very interesting nonetheless. During the Second World War, it was used by Lyon’s Gestapo as a prison to hold Jews and other prisoners before transporting them to concentration camps. Since 2010, the building has been open to the public as a place of national remembrance. The memorial is free to visit, and takes us back to this dark part of French history.
The Memorial National de la prison de Montluc is engaged in a vast project of restoration and rehabilitation of part of its buildings from 2022 to 2025 (more info here).
📍4 Rue Jeanne Hachette, Lyon 3
Bonus: the Boîtes à lire
If you like to read, if you’re curious, we’ve got a real treasure hunt for you. Sort through your bookshelf and take some of the books you’d like to give away with you. Now set off on an adventure, and rummage through the Reading Boxes in search of a book you might like. Not only will you have the opportunity to wander around the city, but you just might stumble across a nugget.