May may be written small, but it’s lived large. Clothes don’t make the man. So, what’s on in Lyon in May? As the saying goes, we should enjoy the month of May as we please. And that’s just as well, because with all our ideas for good things to do, you’ll be spoilt for choice. May is on!
Discover the secrets of science with your family
Halfway between an amusement park and a science museum, Science Expériences is a fun and enriching hybrid activity that takes an entertaining approach to science. Using cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality, video mapping and interactive activities, this tour takes you on a kaleidoscopic journey to the heart of science. From the farthest reaches of the universe to the depths of the abyss, via the center of the Earth, you’re invited to learn while having fun.
Location: Science Expériences, 32 Rue Thomassin, Lyon, 69002
Date: multiple dates
🎟️ From €22
Revisit the Basilica of Saint-Bonaventure
With LUMINISCENCE, the immersive show that illuminates France’s most beautiful monuments, the Basilica of Saint-Bonaventure shines with a thousand lights! Sublimated by high-precision digital projections, this mythical site takes on a new dimension, combining spectacle and history thanks to 360-degree video mapping and 3D spatialized sound. The perfect opportunity to (re)discover this jewel of Lyonnais architecture!
Location: Saint-Bonaventure Basilica
Date: multiple dates
🎟️ From €23
Take a dip in one of the many spots around Lyon
What if spring was all about love… and refreshing swims? While you’re waiting to fall in love, you might as well take to the water. where you can make a splash as soon as the temperatures rise. The Metropole is in the process of drawing up a list of sites where you can splash about in the warm weather.
Get your hiking boots out of the closet
May is the real comeback month for hiking. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or an ultra trail, alone or with the family, walking in the fresh air is always a pleasure. And [trackLink link_url="https://lyonsecret.com/randonnees/"]Lyon is one of the best places in France to get away from it all in no time. Do you prefer the cobbled streets of old villages to the footpaths of the promenades? Lyon also has a great selection of villages to visit. Whatever the case, in 2025, I walk, you walk, we walk!
Have a drink on a terrace with friends
It may sound trivial, but this little pleasure can radically change the face of your day. Whether it’s a coffee on a shady terrace, a good beer on the corner of a counter, the simple pleasure of sharing should be prescribed!
A series of 5-star concerts
This year’s crop of concerts in Lyon promises to be particularly good. In May, we’re offering you (among others) Charlotte Cardin and the group Beach House. Are you unavailable in May, or do you just fancy a packed house? Come and enjoy the Candlelight magic, with more intimate candlelit concerts in magical venues.
Discover the magic of Candlelight concerts
Candlelight magic is back in full force for spring. All the enchantment of candlelight concerts unites with the cheerfulness of fine weather to bring you a moment of great intensity. Enjoy the greatest musical tunes at Bonaventure Basilica and Notre Dame de Fourvière… Coming soon: tribute concerts to Coldplay, Hans Zimmer, Edit Piaf and Céline Dion. Take a look at Lyon’s Candlelight program over the coming months.
Dive into the world of Van Gogh
This is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited cultural event of the year. After conquering more than 5 million visitors worldwide, the exhibition is coming to Lyon for our greatest pleasure. 360º panoramic projections bring you right up close to the painter’s work. Already had the chance to go? Don’t miss this year’s other exhibitions in Lyon.
📍 Studio 24 – 24 Rue Emile Decorps, Villeurbanne
📅 Date: from February 21
🎟️ Admission here
Getting to Les Nuits Sonores (May 28 to June 1)
Les Nuits Sonores is to electronic music what the Fête des Lumières is to visual spectacle: a Lyon pride with an international reputation. And once again this year, the festival hits hard. Nearly a hundred artists are expected to perform on a theme as bold as it is committed: TECHNO-POLITICS. A major new feature is the addition of two new stage spaces to enhance the daytime program, while three stages will light up the nights at La Sucrière. The 22nd edition promises to be intense, festive and, above all, unmissable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJBD_2GPYSE
📍 Théâtre des Célestins, La Sucrière, Les Grandes Locos, Lyon
📅 May 28 to June 1, 2025
🎟️ Admission from €17.50 for night tickets
🎤 Anetha, Massive Attack, Jeff Mills, Peggy GOu, Ellen Allien… and so many more!
👉 Find out more on the official website (remember to clear your caches if the site doesn’t display properly)
Admire the many frescoes in Lyon this May
The sunny days of spring are undoubtedly the most beautiful of the year. Lyon offers a light, especially in spring, that’s hard to beat. Let’s take this opportunity to rediscover the city’s treasures, and in particular its many frescoes. From the best-known to the newest and most secret, it’s always worth a look!