Lyon is one of the largest cities in France. It shines with its architectural heritage, its overflowing cultural offer, the banks of its river, its parks, without forgetting to visit some of its best culinary addresses. With TGV INOUI, reach the Rhône prefecture from Paris in less than 2 hours. And to take advantage of the best fares from January 2023, starting at €45, all you have to do is log on and book in a few clicks on the SNCF Connect application. Looking for a stay during which you can enjoy the many treasures of the Rhône prefecture? Here are 7 activities to do at all costs during a weekend in Lyon!
1- Walk on the roofs of the Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica
From the top of the Fourvière hill, the Notre-Dame church seems to quietly watch over the city. Classified as a historical monument, it is one of the buildings that you must visit after a trip from Paris to Lyon by TGV INOUI. It is distinguished by its singular architecture, with Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque inspirations. What some people don't know is that it is also possible to walk on its roofs, with the added bonus of an unmissable view of Lyon! The activity requires climbing 345 steps, but the view is worth it. This visit can also be done at night.
2- Go and see the oldest houses of the city
After a trip from Paris to Lyon, let's go to an unusual place in the capital of Gaul with the impasse Turquet, hidden in the Old Lyon. It is there that you will find the houses that are said to be the oldest in the city. These buildings, which date back to 1498 and would have been built by religious of the time, are recognizable by their wooden balconies which would have been gangways of access to the cells. The mystery still hovers over the usefulness of these houses through the centuries, but one thing is sure, they are Instagrammable and will unleash the "like" for sure on the networks!
3- Shopping at the Puces du Canal
After having made an eco-responsible trip from Paris to Lyon on board an INOUI TGV, why not continue in this vein by going to stroll between the stalls of the Puces du Canal? Located in Villeurbanne in the Saint-Jean district, it is the second largest flea market in France! The place perfectly answers the need to consume differently, with no less than 200 stores and 400 places that put forward antiques, second-hand goods, decoration, ready-to-wear, art, design and upcycling. All this in an extremely friendly atmosphere with bar-restaurants and events all year round.
4- Visit the Cinema and Miniature Museum
Lyon has a special history with cinema since it was born from two Lyonnais, the Lumière brothers. A visit to the Cinema and Miniature Museum takes us through the sets used in the shooting of great films of the 7th art. The various educational rooms are populated with masks, prostheses, miniatures, creatures, costumes, monsters... The opportunity to learn more about the special effects used by film producers. One thing is certain, the discovery of the two collections of the artist Dan Ohlmann, with 120 miniature scenes and 450 mythical objects of filming, leads us into another world.
5- Enjoy gourmet breaks
What would a trip to Lyon be without enjoying its rich gastronomy? Between two shopping sessions, during a stroll in the heart of the Croix-Rousse or after visiting a museum, we think of stopping for a few moments and sitting around the table to discover the local specialties. Most of the delicatessens in Lyon offer the brioche sausage, to be eaten sliced and accompanied by salad leaves. Among many other suggestions, Lyon's bouchons offer the inevitable quenelles, made with pike and choux pastry. For dessert, it is hard to resist the praline tart. Keep an eye on the pastry shop windows to make sure you don't miss its pretty orange-red dress.
6- Take part in the winter sales
The winter sales will be held from January 11 to February 7, 2023 and Lyon is home to a large number of stores, so a trip from Paris is an opportunity to refresh your wardrobe and find a whole range of things to treat yourself at affordable prices! For this, head to the Croix-Rousse and its craft and designer stores; Confluence for shopping in various fields (fashion, high-tech, etc.); La Part-Dieu for its American-style mall atmosphere, or the area around Place Bellecour for antiques and works of art. It's simple, there is something for every taste and every budget. Then one does not fail to reserve its tickets of train to make itself soon pleasure, one deserved it well!
7- Party on a barge
For those who haven't yet tried an evening on a barge, Lyon offers to join the banks of the Rhone to live some wild moments! Whether you want to dine, have a drink, attend a concert or dance until late at night, places like Sirius offer to board a barge to have a good time while floating on the river. An evening on the water has that little extra soul, to feel like you're on vacation and far from everything. Another good reason to take the INOUI TGV train from Paris, with an eco-responsible trip that goes by in a snap of the fingers.
