Summer is here, and Lyon is already spreading its summer magic. The terraces are full to bursting, the quays are the scene of daytime strolls and evening aperitifs, and one festival follows another from one weekend to the next… On the agenda: even more time spent outside enjoying the sun. Picnics, festivals, swimming pools, lakes and open-air exhibitions: here are the events and activities not to be missed this summer in Lyon.
Experience the magic of Candlelight at the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière
Let yourself be transported by a unique musical experience in the heart of the crypt of the Basilique de Fourvière with Candlelight. Illuminated by hundreds of candles, a string quartet will perform Coldplay and Imagine Dragons favourites : from Clocks to Believer, Fix You and Viva la Vida. In this historic venue, the exceptional acoustics magnify these pop-rock covers with classical accents. A timeless interlude, to be enjoyed alone, with friends or loved ones!
📍 Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière
📆 Friday July 4 and Saturday July 12
Visit the magnificent Gorges du Fier
Located in Lovagny, just 1h30 from Lyon, the Gorges du Fier fascinate visitors with their breathtaking scenery. This spectacular canyon can be discovered via a footbridge suspended 25 metres above the water. An hour’s walk will take you past dizzying walls, astonishing rock formations and the famous “Mer des Rochers” (Sea of Rocks). The most attentive will even see faces drawn naturally in the stone. A place of thrills and wonder, to be experienced to the full… if you’re not too afraid of heights!
Enjoy an ice cream at Terre Adelice
What better way to cool off on a hot summer’s day than with an ice cream from one of Lyon’s favorite ice cream parlors? If you like to sample different flavors, Terre Adelice in Vieux-Lyon is the place to go. Elderflower, Red Bean, Agastache or Hibiscus, the ice-cream parlour offers over 150 sweet and savoury flavours on its menu. There’s something for everyone!
Rediscover the Musée Cinéma & Miniature
Pass through the doors of the Musée Cinéma & Miniature, a place absolutely unique in the world! Located in an emblematic 15th-century building, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this extraordinary museum plunges you into the heart of the magic of 7ᵉ art and miniature art. Over 2,000 m² of exhibition space, more than 10,000 original objects await you: costumes, sets, cult props… a veritable Ali Baba’s cave for all cinema enthusiasts. A true international reference, the museum even recently welcomed director Wes Anderson, proof of its worldwide influence. Would you like to meet Harry Potter, Indiana Jones or Batman in a spectacular setting? Now you know where to go for an unforgettable experience.
📆 Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
📍 60 rue Saint Jean, Lyon 5
👉 More info here
Take a dip in one of Lyon’s swimming pools
Summer is gradually settling in Lyon, and with it comes the urge to take a dip! Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or just looking for a cool moment (yes, we’re talking about pools, not drinks), there’s nothing like a dip to invigorate you! After offering you our picks for bars, restaurants, exhibitions and outings, we’ve tackled a classic of the season:the top swimming pools in Lyon!
Swimming in a magnificent lake around Lyon
Are you more into nature than swimming? In Lyon, we don’t have the luxury of the sea. However, the region is full of great little lakes for summer swimming. Our latest favorite? Lac des Sapins, which quite simply offers Europe’s largest organic swimming pool, just an hour’s drive from Lyon.
Immerse yourself in the works of Van Gogh (and the climate) at studio 24
With over 5 million visitors worldwide , “Van Gogh: the immersive experience” is without doubt one of the most important exhibitions of the decade . Immerse yourself in the unique world of the Dutch genius like nowhere else. From the famous “Sunflowers” to “The Bedroom” and “Starry Night”, all the artist’s masterpieces will be presented in a unique format combining technology and education.
📍 Studio 24 – 24 Rue Emile Decorps, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
Lunch cruise on the Saône with Les Bateaux Lyonnais Hermès II
Fancy an original lunch? Embark on an unforgettable lunch cruise from Quai Rambaud and rediscover your city from the Saône and Rhône rivers. Enjoy a 2h30 guided tour of the city’s most emblematic monuments! Aboard the Hermès II boat, enjoy a gourmet three-course lunch prepared with local produce (vegetarian option available). A blend of heritage, relaxation and culinary delights, this experience combines culture and gourmet delights in a unique setting!
📍 Departure point: Bateau Hermès II, 13 bis quai Rambaud – 69002 Lyon
📆 Several dates until Saturday August 2
Celebrate the end of August with a free Open Air at Place du Gros Caillou
A festive, free open air is gearing up 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 meet, reflect and celebrate the precious bond of friendship! Save the date and invite your friends!
📆 Saturday, August 30, 2025
📍 Place du Gros Caillou, Lyon 1
Dancing in one of Europe’s biggest parades
The end of August doesn’t mark the end of summer (at least not in Lyon). The Biennale de la Danse returns to Lyon for its 21st edition, from September 6 to 28, 2025. For three weeks, the city will live to the rhythm of contemporary dance, with shows, performances and events all over the metropolis. A festival of international renown, the Biennale showcases the creativity, diversity and energy of artists from the four corners of the globe, from key figures to new revelations. Ready to get carried away? It’s the perfect way to keep summer moving!
📆 From Saturday 6 to Sunday 28 September 2025