August is the month of vacations, sunshine, getaways, and relaxation—and above all, it’s the month when we can fully enjoy our beautiful region without worrying about the weather (when it’s not a heat wave) or work deadlines! At Lyon Secret, we love staying in the Lyon area during August, which is why we’ve put together a great list of things to do during this beautiful summer month in and around Lyon! Ready for an unforgettable month?
Discover Morestel: medieval heritage, a Sunday market, and the François-Auguste Ravier House Museum. For a summer getaway just a stone’s throw from Lyon, head to Morestel, a small town in the Balcons du Dauphiné region about 60 km from Lyon. Once there, enjoy its remarkable medieval heritage, picturesque narrow streets and panoramic views, a highly renowned Sunday market, and the house-museum of painter François-Auguste Ravier.
Last chance to experience the magic of *Monet: The Immersive Experience*, which closes its doors on August 23. On the agenda: a 360° digital art exhibition that invites visitors to step into the world of one of the 19th century’s greatest artistic geniuses. This immersive experience perfectly blends art and technology and will be a perfect addition to your August to-do list —especially during these recent heat waves. We highly recommend it!
At the Brasserie des Brotteaux, you can savor the Belle Époque through both the food and the decor. For a gourmet break in Lyon, head to this century-old brasserie located on Place Jules-Ferry, across from the Brotteaux train station. The Brasserie des Brotteaux offers an authentic Belle Époque atmosphere and a traditional Lyon-style menu. The set menu (appetizer, main course, dessert) is €44, and the restaurant is open daily.
Three weeks of free sports activities and workshops for the whole family! For a change of pace from the usual August outings around Lyon, head to the Village des Sports in Villeurbanne: three weeks of free activities for the general public and children ages 6 and up at the Parc de la Commune-de-Paris, featuring team sports, unique activities (rock climbing, archery, wrestling, Frisbee), and cooking and ecology workshops.
If you’re looking for things to do in August with kids, go for an activity that’s a change from the usual outings. Part amusement park, part science museum, Science Expériences promises a fascinating journey into the heart of science. Spanning over 750 m², explore the depths of the ocean, outer space, volcanoes, and the brain through innovative technologies like virtual reality and video mapping. This fun and educational experience, open to everyone ages 4 and up, invites young and old alike to learn while marveling at the wonders around them. We highly recommend it!
Discover Lyon in a whole new way by following the GR® 169 “Forts Loop.” If you’re looking for a nature-based activity to do in August in the area, the GR® 169 “Métropole par les forts,” inaugurated in 2022, is a long hiking loop that circles the city, passing through twelve forts, from the Irigny train station to the Feyzin train station. Allow 8 to 10 days to complete the entire route, or take advantage of the many train stations and bus stops to break it up into shorter segments.
One of Lyon’s oldest historic monuments, which has watched over the city for over a thousand years. Among the must-see attractions in August, the Basilica of Saint-Martin-d’Ainay—much older than Fourvière—stands out as a major example of Lyon’s Romanesque architecture, with origins dating back to between the 9th and 11th centuries. Plus, you won’t find anything more beautiful to see on a sweltering day—we promise!
In August, treat yourself to a takeoff that’s a little more unique than those from Saint-Exupéry Airport. Head to Space Explorers: The ISS Experience Lyon to experience life on the International Space Station at an altitude of 400 km (without actually leaving Earth). The experience recently opened in Lyon and offers an immersive journey inspired by NASA missions, featuring 360° footage with striking realism. You really have to see it to believe it!
A historic bouchon where you can savor authentic Lyonnaise home cooking. For a true Lyonnaise dining experience in Lyon, head to Le Casse Museau. Founded in 1947 by Aunt Paulette, this legendary bouchon is renowned for its traditional, homemade cuisine and its vintage decor. A restaurant certified as a “Maître Restaurateur” and a “Bouchon Lyonnais,” it offers a simple yet expertly crafted menu and iconic dishes like garlic-roasted free-range chicken and gratin dauphinois.
Head to the Nos Puissantes Amitiés festival
Or how to wrap up the summer in style. The Nos Puissantes Amitiés Festival is back for its second edition, which promises to be truly unmissable. What’s on the program? A community-focused festival featuring around thirty Lyon-based organizations centered on a theme we can’t help but love: friendship. Talks, live music, DJ sets, and everything in between—all on the Gros Caillou esplanade. We love it! The icing on the cake? It’s free, so let’s meet there!
Supervised sandy beaches in July and August and emerald-green waters to cool off in. For a nature outing near Lyon in August, head to Lake Vouglans: 35 km long and holding about 600 million m³ of water, it boasts emerald-blue waters perfect for swimming. There, three sandy beaches (Mercantine, Bellecin, Surchauffant) are equipped and supervised in July and August, with free parking, nearby campgrounds, and plenty of water sports and other activities. Shall we go!?
Head to the Clin d’Oeil Festival in Courzieu
While we wait for the return of the Les Yeux dans la Cour festival in 2027, the public can look forward to the Clin d’Oeil! On the program: a whole series of shows, concerts, and plenty of good vibes. Designed for the whole family, the evening will feature numerous activities where participation is optional, allowing everyone to contribute however they’d like. See you there?
115 hectares of cool, green space just a stone’s throw from Lyon! For the perfect nature getaway in August, head to the Domaine de Lacroix-Laval: a 115-hectare park on the outskirts of Lyon, designated a “Remarkable Garden” and an “EcoGarden.” Once there, enjoy the trails, picnic areas, hammocks, and lounge chairs, as well as a castle and a rose garden. Getting there couldn’t be easier: the site is accessible by bus from Gorge de Loup, by TER train, or by car (free parking). The park is open daily and accessible to people with limited mobility.
For a gourmet break in August in Lyon, head to Accentué, where spices take center stage for a true culinary journey at an affordable price. Opened in 2024, Accentué quickly earned a spot in our selection of the best restaurants in Lyon thanks to its Bib Gourmand award. Here you can enjoy French cuisine with global influences, entirely centered on spices, featuring a lunch menu with a starter, main course, and dessert for €27.
More than 90 original works by Mucha brought together for the first time in Lyon. If you’re looking for an exhibition to add to your late-summer calendar, a new exhibition dedicated to Alphonse Mucha is coming to the Grand-Hôtel-Dieu in Lyon this September, bringing together for the first time more than 90 original works (posters, drawings, paintings) divided into six sections and enhanced by immersive installations.
