Lyon Riverside Scenic Route: The Best Route for a Leisurely Stroll
Lyon, France, a city that combines history and modernity, attracts tourists from all over the world with its rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery. Among them, walking along the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers has become one of the best ways to explore the charm of this city.
1. Rhône Left Bank Stroll Route: From Parc de la Tête d’Or to Confluence District
Route Overview
This route runs along the left bank of the Rhône River, starting from Parc de la Tête d’Or and ending at Confluence District, with a total length of about 5 kilometers. There are spacious trails and bicycle paths along the way, suitable for hiking and cycling. The scenery along the coast is beautiful, with both natural landscapes and modern buildings, making it an ideal choice for experiencing the city style of Lyon.
Main Attractions
Parc de la Tête d’Or: Lyon’s largest urban park, covering an area of about 117 hectares, with lakes, zoos and botanical gardens. The park is open to the public free of charge and suitable for the whole family.
Passerelle de la Paix: A bridge designed for pedestrians and bicycles, it connects the 6th arrondissement and the Caluire-et-Cuire neighborhood. The bridge is 217 meters long and has a modern design.
Confluence District: Located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, it is famous for its modern architecture and sustainable development planning. There are trails and art installations along the river, which are suitable for strolling and enjoying the city landscape.
Opening hours and recommended visit duration
Parc de la Tête d’Or: 8:00-22:30 in summer and 8:00-20:30 in winter. It is recommended to visit the park for 2 hours.
Passerelle de la Paix and Confluence District: Open all day, it is recommended to go in the evening to enjoy the city scenery at sunset.
Transportation route
Starting point (Parc de la Tête d’Or): Take Metro Line A to Masséna Station and walk about 10 minutes.
End (Confluence District): Take tram line T1 to Hôtel de Région–Montrochet station.
Booking platform and fees
Golden Head Park: Free and open, no reservation required.
Confluence District: Public areas are free and open, some exhibitions or activities may require tickets, it is recommended to check and book through platforms such as “GetYourGuide” or “Klook”.
2. Saône River Right Bank Walking Route: From the Old Town to the Saint Vincent Footbridge
Route Overview
This route runs along the right bank of the Saône River, starting from the old town of Lyon (Vieux Lyon) and ending at the Saint Vincent Footbridge (Passerelle Saint-Vincent), with a total length of about 2 kilometers. The route is full of historical atmosphere and is suitable for tourists who like culture and architecture.
Main attractions
Vieux Lyon: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Renaissance buildings and narrow streets, it is a good place to explore the history of Lyon.
Passerelle Saint-Vincent: A red iron bridge built in the 19th century for pedestrians only. From the bridge, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Saône River and the old town.
Opening hours and recommended tour duration
Old town: open all day, recommended tour time is 2-3 hours.
Passerelle Saint-Vincent: open all day, it is recommended to go there at dusk to take pictures of the city scenery at sunset.
Transportation route
Starting point (Vieux Lyon): Take the D line of the subway to Vieux Lyon–Cathédrale Saint-Jean station.
End point (Passerelle Saint-Vincent): About 15 minutes walk from the old town.
Booking platform and cost
Old town and footbridge: public areas are free and open, no reservation is required.
Guided tour service: You can download the self-guided tour route through the “GPSmyCity” application, or book a guided tour service on platforms such as “GetYourGuide”. The cost depends on the service content.
3. Walking route on the left bank of the Saône River: from Fourvière Hill to Place Bellecour
Route Overview
This route runs along the left bank of the Saône River, starting from Fourvière Hill and ending at Place Bellecour, with a total length of about 3 kilometers. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the city and historical buildings along the way.
Main attractions
Fourvière Hill: On the top of the mountain is the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which overlooks the entire Lyon city.
Place Bellecour: The fourth largest square in France, with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV in the center, is one of the landmarks of Lyon.
Opening hours and recommended tour duration
Fourvière Hill and the Cathedral: The church is open from 7:00 to 19:00 every day, and the recommended tour time is 1-2 hours.
Place Bellecour: Open all day, the recommended stay time is 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Transportation route
Starting point (Fourvière Hill): Take the subway line D to Vieux Lyon station, transfer to the cable car line F2 to Fourvière station.
End point (Place Bellecour): Walk down the hill from Fourvière Hill for about 20 minutes.
Booking platform and cost
Fourvière Cathedral: Free of charge, some areas may require tickets, it is recommended to check and book through platforms such as “GetYourGuide” or “Klook”.
Place Bellecour: Public areas are free of charge, no reservation is required.
4. Walking route on the right bank of the Rhone River: from Parc Saint-Clair to Quai Augagneur
Route overview
This route runs along the right bank of the Rhone River, starting from Parc Saint-Clair and ending at Quai Augagneur, with a total length of about 4 kilometers. There are green spaces and leisure facilities along the way, suitable for families and couples to walk.
Main attractions
Parc Saint-Clair: Located in the Caluire-et-Cuire neighborhood, it has a children’s playground and green space, suitable for family activities.
Quai Augagneur: There are bars and restaurants along the coast, and the atmosphere is lively at night, suitable for night walks.
Opening hours and recommended visit duration
Parc Saint-Clair: 8:00 to 20:00 every day, the recommended visit time is 1 hour.
Quai Augagneur: Open all day, it is recommended to go there in the evening to experience the nightlife.
Transportation route
Starting point (Parc Saint-Clair): Take the bus to Saint-Clair station.
End point (Quai Augagneur): Take the metro line B to Place Guichard station, about 10 minutes walk.
Booking platform and fees
Parc Saint-Clair and Quai Augagneur: Public areas are free and no reservation is required. If you want to participate in a night cruise experience or a riverside food tour, you can book it through platforms such as “Viator” or “Klook”. The price is usually between 15-30 euros, depending on the content of the activity.
5. Panoramic Route of the Confluence Peninsula: An experience of blending modernity and nature
Route Overview
This route is located on the Confluence Peninsula, where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. It is about 3 kilometers long and surrounds the Musée des Confluences and its surrounding areas. It is suitable for tourists who like modern architecture and riverside scenery.
Main attractions
Musée des Confluences: A comprehensive museum that integrates nature, culture and technology. The building itself is very futuristic.
Parc de la Confluence: It covers a large area and has recreational areas, green spaces and riverside trails, suitable for picnics or jogging.
Modern buildings: The Confluence district is famous for its environmental protection concept. The glass curtain wall office buildings and green residential areas along the coast provide rich creative inspiration for photography enthusiasts.
Opening hours and recommended tour duration
Confluence Museum: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30-18:30, closed on Monday. The recommended tour time is 2 hours.
Park and surrounding areas: open all day, recommended tour time is 1-2 hours.
Transportation route
Confluence district: You can take tram line T1 to Musée des Confluences station and walk to it.
Booking platform and cost
Confluence Museum: Adult tickets are 9 euros, free for those under 18 years old. You can buy tickets in advance through the official website or platforms such as “Klook” to avoid queuing.
Park and surrounding areas: Public areas are free and no reservation is required.
6. Travel suggestions
Lyon’s riverside walking route connects history and modernity, nature and humanity. Whether you feel the vitality of the city along the Rhône River, trace the history of the Saône River, or appreciate the beauty of modern architecture in the Confresco district, you can appreciate the diverse styles of this French city.
Best season: Spring and autumn have pleasant weather, suitable for long walks. In summer, the daytime is long and the riverside is particularly charming at night.
Gear recommendation: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a timely water bottle are essential. If you travel in the evening or at night, it is recommended to bring a jacket to cope with the coolness of the riverside.
Safety tips: Lyon has good overall security, and the riverside area with more people at night is also relatively safe. However, it is still recommended to keep your belongings safe, especially in the crowded dock bar area.
Respect local culture: The French pay attention to etiquette. When walking along the river, you can smile or greet people walking their dogs or riding bicycles. It is also a unique cultural experience to stop at an open-air cafe and enjoy a moment of tranquility.
