Lyon

France

Ride the funicular up Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for breathtaking city views and explore Lyon's Renaissance old town with stunning traboule passageways.

Currency Euro (EUR)

Language French

Time Zone CET (UTC+1)

Best Time to Visit May–Oct

Typical Duration 7-14 nights

Price Range $1,778-$9,690 per person

Port Type Departure & Port of Call

Tender Port No

Gateway to Rhône River cruises through France's wine country, offering access to historic medieval towns and renowned vineyards along one of Europe's most scenic waterways.

Cruises that visit Lyon

Build Your Day in Lyon

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 7:00 PM

Usually about 11 hours ashore

Embarkation port — worth arriving early

My ship arrives around: Getting around:

Parc de la Tête d'Or Family friendly, free and healthy activity any days of the week! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 60k Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Thu

Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière Beautiful, very detailed stations 3D Murals wrapped around the center. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 40k Closed · Opens 7 AM Thu

Carmelo Good food, the staff is super nice and the atmosphere is gorgeous! Italian · ★ 4.8 · 38k Closed · Opens 11:45 AM Thu

Place Bellecour Beautiful open square, perfect for multiple activities Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 27k

Musée des Confluences Very interactive museum with fascinating themes in separate exhibitions. Museum · ★ 4.5 · 26k Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Thu

Confluence Good selection of shops and especially (fast) food outlets Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 20k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste The kaleidoscope of colors wash over your mind, body, and soul. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 15k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu

Westfield La Part-Dieu Good selection of stores and an entire floor dedicated to food is awsome. Shopping mall · ★ 4.1 · 15k Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Thu

The Village Outlet Great stores I would recommend to everyone good selection and lovely staff. Outlet mall · ★ 4.2 · 14k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Primark Cheap clothes and nice workers Clothing store · ★ 3.7 · 10k Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Thu

Théâtre Gallo Romain ... free to visit the theatre (outside of the museum) and amazing to see! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 8k

Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon The shops and department store are so stunning, chic and tasteful. Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 7k Open · Closes 1 AM

Mur des Canuts Incredible mural that your can spend hours looking at Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 7k

Fresque des Lyonnais Beautiful handpainted mural, a detailed niche, the life around the district. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 7k

Restaurant Paul Bocuse The food was amazing, with fresh ingredients, and preparbed elegantly. Haute French · ★ 4.8 · 6k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

Galeries Lafayette Varied selection of brands, ample space. Clothing store · ★ 4.1 · 5k Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Thu

Printemps Lyon Great selection and staff is a stand out at being kind, helpful and smiley. Clothing store · ★ 4.5 · 5k Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Thu

Place des Terreaux Lot of activities. Plaza · ★ 4.5 · 5k

L Bar food & drink Cool bar with great music. Bar · ★ 4.8 · 4k

Opéra National de Lyon A deep dive into art, culture, théâtre and music Opera house · ★ 4.5 · 4k

Chez Grand-Mère The food is delicious, the atmosphere warm, and the service impeccable. French · ★ 4.4 · 4k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

Le Bouchon des Cordeliers Each dish was amazingly prepared and balanced without being pretentious. French · ★ 4.7 · 3k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

UNIQLO LYON CARNOT Nice store, good quality/price rate. Clothing store · ★ 4 · 3k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Palais de la Bourse de Lyon They play some light show but must buy tickets online. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 3k

Jardin des Curiosités There are seats there where you can sit, eat lunch and contemplate. Garden · ★ 4.7 · 2k Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu

L'Atelier des Augustins Perfect in every facet: ambience, food, hospitality and attention to detail. Haute French · ★ 4.8 · 2k Closed · Opens 12:15 PM Thu

Parc des Hauteurs Great place to relax on your climb up. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 2k Closed · Opens 7:45 AM Thu

La Mère Brazier We believed the price was well worth the exceptional gastronomy and service. French · ★ 4.7 · 2k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

ART Restaurant Lyon Great service, high-quality food, and a very enjoyable atmosphere. French · ★ 4.8 · 1k Closed · Opens 7 PM Thu

L'Artchimiste Fantastic bar with impeccable drinks and remarkable service. Bar · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Maison Moly Short menu with really great food, friendly atmosphere and service. French · ★ 4.9 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

Louis Vuitton Lyon It has lots of stock and different item pieces. Leather goods store · ★ 3.8 · 1k Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Thu

The Monkey Club The drinks are so good and the staff is welcoming, nice and friendly! Bar · ★ 4.4 · 1k

Le Florian Perfect cocktails in a cozy bar with a stellar playlist. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.5 · 1k

L' Antiquaire A perfectly made gin martini in a comfortable setting. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Agastache Restaurant Creative dishes, very well prepared in a comfortable, casual setting. French · ★ 4.9 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

Jardin Archéologique And a good spot to let kids get out their energy. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 1k

Le Neuvième Art The presentation was excellent, the service highly attentive and thoughtful. French · ★ 4.8 · 1k Closed · Opens 12 PM Thu

The Phantom of the Opera Friendly staff, great cocktails, cosy atmosphere, had a great time. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k

Jardin Rosa Mir Something like facteur Cheval build. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 1k Closed · Opens 1 PM Sat

Wanderlust Lyon 🌎 Cocktails, service and food are very good and prices also ! Cocktail bar · ★ 4.9 · 1k Closed · Opens 5 PM Thu

Black Forest Society Pleasant service and top notch cocktails. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Traboules du Vieux Lyon It's fun, shows a different perspective on the community visited. Historical landmark · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Black Hole Good fast service on cocktails, friendly staff. Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k

The Silver Arcade of Lyon Interesting shops and great atmosphere. Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 0k Open 24 hours

Le Grisbi Really cool bar with a special vibe . Cocktail bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Escalier Basilique de Fourvière A nice view of the city - and a bit out of the ordinary, which is nice. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Montée du Gourguillon Lovely stroll. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Lyon is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Lyon

About Lyon

Lyon stands as a premier river cruise hub in France's Rhone region, welcoming travelers through four major cruise lines including Viking River Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises, and Amadeus River Cruises. Whether you're embarking on your river adventure or joining a cruise already underway, Lyon offers exceptional access to over 1,100 upcoming sailings. Most voyages span seven nights, taking you through some of France's most enchanting riverside destinations including Avignon, Arles, Viviers, and Tournon-sur-Rhône, with peak sailing seasons running from May through October.

As both a departure point and port of call, Lyon gives cruise passengers the perfect balance of exploration and convenience. Those with time ashore will discover a city renowned for its culinary traditions and Renaissance architecture, while the strategic location ensures seamless connections to the broader Rhone Valley. Whether you're a first-time river cruiser or a seasoned traveler, Lyon's well-established cruise infrastructure and diverse itinerary options make it an ideal choice for your next river adventure.

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

Ascend to Lyon's most iconic landmark, perched majestically on the Fourvière Basilica overlooking the city. This stunning white Romano-Byzantine church offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Rhône and Saône rivers converging below. The ornate interior features intricate mosaics and gilded decorations that showcase centuries of devotion and architectural brilliance.

Silk Weaving Heritage & Shopping

Explore the Vieux Lyon neighborhood where Renaissance buildings house boutiques selling exquisite Lyonnaise silk products. Browse traditional silk scarves, ties, and textiles crafted using centuries-old techniques in this UNESCO-recognized district. The narrow cobblestone streets reveal hidden traboules—secret passageways connecting buildings—adding charm to your shopping adventure.

Culinary Capital's Local Markets

Experience Quai Saint-Antoine's vibrant market stalls bursting with fresh produce, local cheeses, and Lyonnaise specialties. Sample traditional bouchon cuisine at a family-run restaurant, where hearty dishes like quenelles and saucisson reflect the region's gastronomic excellence. Lyon's reputation as France's food capital comes alive through authentic flavors and warm hospitality.

Confluence Museum's Modern Design

Visit this architectural marvel featuring a striking glass and metal structure housing world-class exhibits on natural history and human civilization. The museum's innovative design and engaging collections provide cultural enrichment in just a few hours. Located near the port, it's an ideal stop for curious travelers seeking contemporary art and science.

Parc de la Tête d'Or Riverside Stroll

Wander through this magnificent urban park featuring a pristine lake, botanical gardens, and zoo, all nestled between the Rhône and Saône rivers. The peaceful tree-lined paths offer perfect photo opportunities and a serene escape from city bustle. Watch swans glide across the water while enjoying views of Lyon's skyline and the surrounding landscape.