August is the month for vacations, sun, escapades and relaxation, and above all it’s the month when you can take full advantage of our beautiful region without worrying about the weather (when there isn’t a heatwave) or work deadlines! At Lyon Secret, we love staying in and around Lyon during August, so 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 France’s favorite village, 1h30 from Lyon
With its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, colorful facades and sumptuous Gothic abbey, listed as a historic monument since 1840, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye immerses visitors in a timeless medieval atmosphere! This village of less than 1,200 inhabitants is also a not-to-be-missed stopover on the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela. Dominated by its majestic abbey, a veritable architectural gem, the village’s charm lies in its authenticity: old covered market (halles), traditional roofs, characterful residences… It’s for all these reasons that it was elected “Favorite Village of the French 2025” on Wednesday July 2 on France 3.
Try Le Tiroir, Lyon’s best-value restaurant
At Lyon Secret, we love to scour the city for the best gourmet addresses, because in Lyon, gastronomy is sacred! As well as treating ourselves, it’s an opportunity to share our latest favorites with you! This August, we invite you to try a unique culinary discovery nestled in the 9th arrondissement: Le Tiroir restaurant. Here, you’ll find surprisingly high-quality cuisine and impeccable service ! The little extra? There’s a terrace and the two-storey restaurant is fully air-conditioned!
Enjoy one of the 200 free Tout l’Monde dehors events
This summer, Lyon becomes a huge open-air stage with the return of the Tout l’Monde Dehors festival ! From July 8 to August 31, 2025, be amazed by the richness and creativity of Lyon’s cultural scene! Supported by the City of Lyon, this summer event has become an absolute must! On the program? 200 free events in every district, with concerts, shows, screenings and much more. There’s something for all tastes, and all in Lyon’s good mood!
Experience the magic of the vacations with Candlelight
Julie Limont
Close your eyes and imagine yourself transported to an enchanted place, to relive the greatest works offered by music among a myriad of candles: more beautiful than a dream, that’s Candlelight! All summer long, the Beatles, Hans Zimmer, Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Ed Sheeran, Charles Aznavour, ABBA, Vivaldi, Edith Piaf and many more will be on hand to pay a magical tribute! So don’t miss out on any of these great shows!
📍Notre Dame de Fourvière Basilica
📆 Several dates
Visit Papote to find your summer look
In Lyon, good taste doesn’t stop at the kitchen, it also expresses itself in style! Gone are the days of fast fashion, replaced by responsible, stylish second-hand. That’s where Papote comes in, a unique second-hand shop founded by two passionate friends! Their selection is sharp, colorful and modern, with unique pieces to enhance every look (especially summer ones). Based at Clothe2Me (2ᵉ arr.), the brand is also developing an offer for men (yes, gentlemen, no more waiting without anything to put under your teeth). Committed fashion, vintage vibes: Papote is the new nugget for finding your best outfits in Lyon!
Rediscover the Musée Cinéma & Miniature
Enter an extraordinary world at the Musée Cinéma & Miniature, a place truly unique in the world. Set in the heart of Vieux Lyon, in a 15th-century building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unusual museum transports you to the heart of the magic of 7ᵉ art and miniature art. Over 2,000 m² of exhibition space, more than 10,000 authentic objects from the greatest films await you. A veritable goldmine for film buffs, where you’ll come across Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and Batman. An international reference in its field, the museum recently welcomed a prestigious visitor: filmmaker Wes Anderson. Looking for an eyeful? This behind-the-scenes journey is just waiting for you.
📆 Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6:30pm and Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 7pm.
📍 60 rue Saint Jean, Lyon 5
Dive into the world of Van Gogh
Does the name ring a bell? With over 5 million visitors worldwide, “Van Gogh: l’expérience immersive” has established itself as one of the major exhibitions not to be missed! This experience plunges you into the fascinating world of the Dutch master as you’ve never seen him before. From “Sunflowers” to “Starry Night” and “The Bedroom”, his iconic works come to life thanks to an immersive setting combining art, technology and education! Not a bad way to enjoy the air-conditioning, eh?
📍 Studio 24 – 24 Rue Emile Decorps, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
🎟️ Full admission €20.90
Grab a bite to eat at Café Gadagne
Café Gadagne
Looking for a vacation atmosphere in the city? Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, nestled between ancient stonework and Roman arcades, the café-restaurant Gadagne offers a veritable haven of greenery right in the heart of Lyon! Its shady terrace, concealed under the trellis roof on the top floor of the eponymous museum, invites you to relax and contemplate. It’s the perfect place to sip a drink or enjoy creative, seasonal cuisine, while admiring a breathtaking view of the hanging gardens!
📍 Café Gadagne, 1 Pl. du Petit Collège, 69005 Lyon
Enjoy natural air conditioning at 12°C in the Grottes de La Balme
In the mood for a little coolness just a stone’s throw from Lyon? Head for the Grottes de La Balme, where the temperature never rises above 12°C, even in midsummer! Just a 40-minute drive away, this spectacular site plunges you into a fascinating underground world of stalactites, pools, natural galleries and an underground lake. The monumental entrance welcomes you with its ancient chapels, and the tour (self-guided or guided) promises 1,000 meters of cool adventure . This refreshing , timeless getaway is perfect for escaping the August heat while exploring the wonders sculpted by nature!
Open-air cinema
Every summer, the Place Ambroise Courtois (Lyon 8ᵉ) is transformed into an open-air cinema thanks to L’Été en Cinémascope, organized by the Institut Lumière. From June 24 to August 26, 2025, enjoy 8 free screenings from dusk in a convivial atmosphere! What’s on? On Tuesday August 19 at 9.15pm, you can watch Little Miss Sunchine, and the summer in Cinemascope will close with Moulin Rouge on Tuesday August 26 at 9pm! Two not-to-be-missed events to enjoy with family and friends under the stars this summer.
📍 Place Ambroise Courtois (Lyon 8ᵉ)
📆 Tuesday August 19 and Tuesday August 26
Take part in a free Open Air at Place du Gros Caillou
A festive, free open air is being prepared for the end of summer, on Saturday August 30, 2025, at the Gros Caillou in Croix-Rousse! The event will focus on a theme that concerns us all: friendship. On the program? DJ sets, live concerts, shows, projections, beer brewers, talks by experts… and many other surprises!This event, organized by Scène27 in collaboration with the Maison de l’Écologie, Théâtre du Bruit and the Université Populaire de Lyon, promises a friendly and committed atmosphere. The aim is to create a space where we can reflect on and celebrate the precious bond of friendship! Save the date and invite your friends!
📆 Saturday, August 30, 2025
📍 Place du Gros Caillou, Lyon 1