Bike, metro… and now “bato“! The Lyon metropolitan area, always ahead of the game when it comes to mobility, is offering itself a new, practical and environmentally-friendly mode of transport. Nearly 2 million people already use public transport every day, and it’s worth remembering that Lyon was a pioneer in self-service bicycles, a model now adopted the world over.
Navigating in the heart of the city: 6.2 km in 40 minutes
Expressions like “Let’s go by Navigône!” or “Go ahead, I’ll be there with the Nav’ in 20 minutes!” are likely to become commonplace in Lyon’s language this summer!
From Vaise to Confluence, the Navigône offers a 6.2-km river trip on the Saône in just 40 minutes. There will be four stops along the way: Vaise Industrie (quai du Commerce), Subsistances (quai Saint-Vincent), Terrasses Presqu’île (between the Maréchal Juin bridge and the Palais de Justice footbridge) and Confluence.
Practical info: opening times, prices and accessibility
The Navigône service operates every day:
- Monday to Friday, 7am to 9pm
- Weekends, 9am to 9pm
Launched by TCL, the service will start with two boats powered by internal combustion engines, before gradually ramping up. These will be gradually replaced by two electric catamarans (made in France) , with two more to follow in spring 2026. These 20-meter-long boats will be able to accommodate up to 70 people, 6 bicycles and 2 wheelchairs. The batteries are currently being produced in the Lyon region. So we’re proud of our pretty boats!
“Everything has been thought out to offer passengers a pleasant, original and useful experience, which contributes to the ecological transition and enhancement of our heritage,” explains Bruno Bernard, President of the Metropole and SYTRAL.
Good news: the Navigône is included in the TCL season ticket. For non-members, the fare is €3 one way and €5 return. Children under 4 travel free of charge, and this will be extended to children under 10 from September 1.