At Lyon Secret, we decorate ourselves from Monday to Friday, so that you can enjoy your Saturdays and Sundays to the full and show off in the morning at the coffee machine, saying “Well of course, I was there!” Here’s our selection of things to do in Lyon (and the surrounding area) this weekend from March 21 to 23
Take a closer look at what all the eyes in the world have been able to admire
End the winter season on a high note…. Zeus, the most talked-about horse of the decade, has arrived in Lyon! Right in the heart of the Hôtel de Ville, this one-of-a-kind piece is freely accessible to the curious. It’s a great way to prolong the Olympic spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring. Let’s run, and at triple gallop please!
📍 Location: Hôtel de ville, 1 place de la Comédie, Lyon 1
Date: from March 17 to April 2
🎟️ Free admission, but reservation required.
Celebrating press and media cartoons in all their forms
An event not to be missed! The 4th Rencontres Internationales du Dessin de Presse et des Médias returns to Lyon with a rich and engaging program featuring over 50 French and international cartoonists, nearly 500 drawings on display, and conferences, events and workshops exploring the role and impact of press cartoons. This year’s edition will also be an opportunity to reflect on the place of press cartoons, 10 years after the Charlie Hebdo attacks. An essential event to celebrate freedom of expression and artists’ critical view of current events.
Venue: Hôtel de Ville de Lyon, 1 Place de la Comédie, Lyon 1
Date: Friday March 20 to Sunday March 23
Info and booking: here
Change your perspective on art
From March 7 (with an opening evening on March 6), macLYON invites you to its “Universe Programmed” exhibition. At the heart of this artistic exploration is a burning question in the age of major technological advances. What is the place of art in the face of new tools such as Artificial Intelligence? Real or virtual, immersive, interactive or contemplative… From a technical as well as an ethical point of view, this exhibition promises to provide food for thought on the future of artistic creation. An event not to be missed!
📍 Cité Internationale, 81 Quai Charles de Gaulle, Lyon 6
📅 March 7 to July 13 / Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm
👉 Find out more on the official website
Start the official festival season with Les Chants de Mars
In Lyon, there’s no time to lose: the festival season kicks off with a bang in March! The Les Chants de Mars festival kicks off on March 14 with a series of exceptional concerts. On the program: a selection of French-speaking artists to discover in several emblematic venues in Lyon (Transbordeur, MJC Vieux Lyon…) and its metropolitan area (Bizarre! in Vénissieux, Jack Jack in Bron). A not-to-be-missed event for music lovers!
📍 Various venues in Lyon and surrounding area
📅 From Friday March 14 to Saturday March 29
👉 All the info here.
Plunge into the world of Van Gogh
This is undoubtedly the must-see cultural event of this winter. After attracting over 5 million visitors worldwide, this immersive exhibition is finally coming to Lyon for our greatest pleasure. Thanks to 360° panoramic projections, immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Van Gogh. A spellbinding experience to be discovered this weekend!
📍 Studio 24 – 24 Rue Emile Decorps, Villeurbanne
📅 Date: from Friday February 21
👉 Admission here
Enjoy a Candlelight concert
We can’t get enough of the magic of Candlelight, which offers a multitude of candlelit concerts in fantastic venues every weekend. This weekend, enjoy concerts featuring the music of Ludovico Einaudi, The Beatles, Mozart & Chopin and Jean Jacques Goldman…
📍 Venues include the Temple du Change, Basilique Saint Bonaventure and Chapelle de la Trinité.
📅 Date: several concerts every week
👉 Admission here
Enjoy Printemps du Cinéma
The end of winter marks not only the return of fine weather and first drinks on the terrace, but also that of Printemps du Cinéma. From Sunday March 23 to Tuesday March 25, enjoy screenings at just €5 admission, with friends, family or as a couple. The perfect opportunity to discover the latest films without breaking the bank!
Make the most of TheFork festival
To all gourmets in Lyon (and there are many!): TheFork is back with its gourmet festival. Until April 6, take advantage of a 50% discount on a selection of some twenty restaurants. Pizzas, bouchons, bistros, world cuisine… Just browsing through the list is enough to make your mouth water! It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy Lyon’s best restaurants at affordable prices.
Visit the new “Trop Forts!” exhibition at the Musée des Confluences
How do they survive? We don’t think much about it, but some animals evolve in extreme conditions that human beings couldn’t endure for even an hour. For example, the penguin braves temperatures as low as -60°C, the camel can go without food and water for several days, and the llama adapts to high altitudes despite an air almost devoid of oxygen. This captivating exhibition also prompts us to reflect on climate change and our capacity to adapt. A must-see for the whole family!
📍 Location: 86 Quai Perrache, Lyon 2
📅 Date: from February 19, 2025
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11am to 10pm. Friday and Saturday from 11am to 11pm.
👉 More info
Treat yourself to a cultural bath
Lyon is pulling out all the stops this year when it comes to museums and exhibitions. And what better way, when the weather’s not cooperating, to take in an exhibition and contemplate a painting, a photo or even literally immerse yourself in an artist’s world? In any case, whether you’re into classic or futuristic art, whether you’d like to do it with the kids or not, or whether you’re simply curious, there’s something for everyone!
A feast for the eyes (and ears) at the Basilique Saint-Bonaventure
The Basilica of Saint-Bonaventure, one of the most beautiful in France, shines with a thousand lights during Luminiscence a 360-degree immersive show that sublimates the Gothic architecture of this heritage gem with a spectacular video mapping installation and 3D spatialized sound. A poetic sound and light show not to be missed.
Location: Basilique Saint-Bonaventure, 7 Place des Cordeliers, Lyon 2
Date: multiple dates
👉 More info
Dine in one of Lyon’s finest restaurants
After long hours of debate among the Lyon Secret editorial team, we were delighted to present our selection of the best places to eat in Lyon in 2025. It was a tough choice, but it’s a fair one, and representative of what our beloved city of Lyon has to offer. You can also take a look at our selection of unusual restaurants and the best eateries on Rue Mercière. As you can see, you’re spoilt for choice, and now “Y’a plus qu’à !”.
Meet up for a beer with friends
Let’s face it, getting together for a beer on the terrace is often a weekend classic. Whether you’re debriefing the week’s events, talking about spring projects or the evening ahead, sharing a beer (with or without alcohol) is always a good idea.
Unlocking the mysteries of science
Science Experiments will turn you into an outstanding scientist, and for the younger ones, into a real budding scientist. Discover all the mysteries of the universe and test the laws of physics during your visit. This immersive multiscience museum has already won over 250,000 visitors and offers a fun and recreational activity for all ages. Here, you can let off steam, experiment, learn and, above all, have fun!
Science Expériences – 32 rue Thomassin, Lyon 2
Date: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (check for special closing days)
👉 More info