As a Lyonnais, we often tend to underestimate the treasures right on our doorstep. This weekend, I suggest you leave the metro aside to explore the surrounding countryside and the historical roots of our region. Far from urban hustle, these destinations offer a welcome breath of fresh air in preserved settings.
Address: 69440 Riverie Google Rating: 4.4/5 (9 reviews) Maps Link
Riverie is a small hidden gem in the Lyonnais mountains. This historic site invites quiet wandering. With only nine reviews recorded, it's the ideal spot for those seeking intimacy and calm away from tourist crowds. The walk there is gentle, perfect for a picnic lunch break or a post-morning stroll after exploring.
Address: 42520 Malleval Google Rating: 4.7/5 (30 reviews) Maps Link
Malleval, listed among France's most beautiful villages, more than deserves its reputation. The Village Square is the beating heart of this commune. With a solid rating of 4.7/5 based on 30 reviews, visitors appreciate the authenticity of the place. Here you can take the pulse of local life, surrounded by the region's typical stone houses. The atmosphere is peaceful, ideal for reconnecting with nature and history.
Oingt is undeniably the star of this medieval journey. Listed among France's Most Beautiful Villages, it offers a rich tourist experience with an exceptional rating of 4.8/5 from 71 reviews. As you stroll through its cobbled streets, you travel back in time. The village overlooks the valley and offers breathtaking views. It's the perfect place to discover well-preserved medieval architecture and soak in the unique atmosphere of this corner of Beaujolais.
Address: 27 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon Google Rating: 4.6/5 (539 reviews) Maps Link Hours: Open 24/7
To start or end your weekend, return to Lyon's roots. The traboules of Old Lyon are iconic secret passages. Located on rue Saint-Jean, they earn an excellent rating of 4.6/5 from 539 reviews. These covered galleries allow you to traverse Renaissance blocks and discover magnificent inner courtyards. Access is free and open 24/7, allowing you to visit at your own pace, early in the morning to avoid crowds or late in the day for golden light.
Address: 234 Rue Paul Causeret, 69620 Val d'Oingt Google Rating: 4.7/5 (15 reviews) Maps Link
Beyond the picturesque village, the area around rue Paul Causeret offers different perspectives of Val d'Oingt. This tourist attraction boasts a very positive rating of 4.7/5 from 15 reviews. It's a good starting or ending point for your local exploration. You may find local shops or useful information points to help organize the rest of your day in the immediate surroundings of the main village.
Address: 8 Pl. de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon Google Rating: 4.8/5 (39,350 reviews) Maps Link Website Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
It's impossible to talk about Lyon without mentioning Notre-Dame de Fourvière. This essential monument earns a remarkable rating of 4.8/5 based on nearly 40,000 reviews. The interior is a profusion of mosaics and marble that leaves you speechless. Open from 7 AM to 8 PM, it allows flexible visits. Climb up either by foot or by funicular to also enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city and the Alps on clear days.
Address: Pl. des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon Google Rating: 4.6/5 (3,904 reviews) Maps Link Hours: Open 24/7
On Terreaux Square, the Bartholdi Fountain is an absolute classic. Created by the same artist as the Statue of Liberty, it achieves 4.6/5 from 3,904 reviews. Its sea horses and nymphs are particularly photogenic, especially when illuminated in the evening. Since the square is open 24/7, you can visit for a coffee on the terrace or a night stroll after a day of sightseeing.
Address: 5 Rue des Estrées, 69005 Lyon Google Rating: 4.3/5 (896 reviews) Maps Link Hours: Open 24/7
Located at the foot of the basilica, this garden is often overlooked but worth the visit. With a rating of 4.3/5 from 896 reviews, it offers a pleasant green setting to rest. It houses ancient remains, including a partially buried Roman theater. It's a free relaxation spot accessible 24/7, perfect for reading a book or watching locals enjoy the sun before heading back to the surrounding villages.
To reach Oingt and Riverie from Lyon, a car is essential. Plan for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour of travel depending on traffic on the D38 or A89. For Malleval, allow a bit more than an hour heading west. If you prefer not to drive, regional buses serve some communes, but schedules are less frequent than urban trains.
Local tip: start your day early in Oingt to enjoy the empty streets before tourist groups arrive. Remember to reserve your lunch in advance if you plan to eat there, as tables fill up quickly on weekends. For Lyon sites like the Traboules and Fourvière, prefer public transportation (TCL) to avoid parking issues in Old Lyon.
Crée un compte gratuit pour bookmarker tes guides, recevoir le digest hebdo (changements officiels, nouveaux guides) et rejoindre ta communauté diaspora.
As a Lyonnais, we often tend to underestimate the treasures right on our doorstep. This weekend, I suggest you leave the metro aside to explore the surrounding countryside and the historical roots of our region. Far from urban hustle, these destinations offer a welcome breath of fresh air in preserved settings.
Address: 69440 Riverie Google Rating: 4.4/5 (9 reviews) Maps Link
Riverie is a small hidden gem in the Lyonnais mountains. This historic site invites quiet wandering. With only nine reviews recorded, it's the ideal spot for those seeking intimacy and calm away from tourist crowds. The walk there is gentle, perfect for a picnic lunch break or a post-morning stroll after exploring.
Address: 42520 Malleval Google Rating: 4.7/5 (30 reviews) Maps Link
Malleval, listed among France's most beautiful villages, more than deserves its reputation. The Village Square is the beating heart of this commune. With a solid rating of 4.7/5 based on 30 reviews, visitors appreciate the authenticity of the place. Here you can take the pulse of local life, surrounded by the region's typical stone houses. The atmosphere is peaceful, ideal for reconnecting with nature and history.
Address: 1 Esp. Claude Rouet, 69620 Val d'Oingt Google Rating: 4.8/5 (71 reviews) Maps Link Website
Oingt is undeniably the star of this medieval journey. Listed among France's Most Beautiful Villages, it offers a rich tourist experience with an exceptional rating of 4.8/5 from 71 reviews. As you stroll through its cobbled streets, you travel back in time. The village overlooks the valley and offers breathtaking views. It's the perfect place to discover well-preserved medieval architecture and soak in the unique atmosphere of this corner of Beaujolais.
Address: 27 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon Google Rating: 4.6/5 (539 reviews) Maps Link Hours: Open 24/7
To start or end your weekend, return to Lyon's roots. The traboules of Old Lyon are iconic secret passages. Located on rue Saint-Jean, they earn an excellent rating of 4.6/5 from 539 reviews. These covered galleries allow you to traverse Renaissance blocks and discover magnificent inner courtyards. Access is free and open 24/7, allowing you to visit at your own pace, early in the morning to avoid crowds or late in the day for golden light.
Address: 234 Rue Paul Causeret, 69620 Val d'Oingt Google Rating: 4.7/5 (15 reviews) Maps Link
Beyond the picturesque village, the area around rue Paul Causeret offers different perspectives of Val d'Oingt. This tourist attraction boasts a very positive rating of 4.7/5 from 15 reviews. It's a good starting or ending point for your local exploration. You may find local shops or useful information points to help organize the rest of your day in the immediate surroundings of the main village.
Address: 8 Pl. de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon Google Rating: 4.8/5 (39,350 reviews) Maps Link Website Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
It's impossible to talk about Lyon without mentioning Notre-Dame de Fourvière. This essential monument earns a remarkable rating of 4.8/5 based on nearly 40,000 reviews. The interior is a profusion of mosaics and marble that leaves you speechless. Open from 7 AM to 8 PM, it allows flexible visits. Climb up either by foot or by funicular to also enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city and the Alps on clear days.
Address: Pl. des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon Google Rating: 4.6/5 (3,904 reviews) Maps Link Hours: Open 24/7
On Terreaux Square, the Bartholdi Fountain is an absolute classic. Created by the same artist as the Statue of Liberty, it achieves 4.6/5 from 3,904 reviews. Its sea horses and nymphs are particularly photogenic, especially when illuminated in the evening. Since the square is open 24/7, you can visit for a coffee on the terrace or a night stroll after a day of sightseeing.
Address: 5 Rue des Estrées, 69005 Lyon Google Rating: 4.3/5 (896 reviews) Maps Link Hours: Open 24/7
Located at the foot of the basilica, this garden is often overlooked but worth the visit. With a rating of 4.3/5 from 896 reviews, it offers a pleasant green setting to rest. It houses ancient remains, including a partially buried Roman theater. It's a free relaxation spot accessible 24/7, perfect for reading a book or watching locals enjoy the sun before heading back to the surrounding villages.
To reach Oingt and Riverie from Lyon, a car is essential. Plan for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour of travel depending on traffic on the D38 or A89. For Malleval, allow a bit more than an hour heading west. If you prefer not to drive, regional buses serve some communes, but schedules are less frequent than urban trains.
Local tip: start your day early in Oingt to enjoy the empty streets before tourist groups arrive. Remember to reserve your lunch in advance if you plan to eat there, as tables fill up quickly on weekends. For Lyon sites like the Traboules and Fourvière, prefer public transportation (TCL) to avoid parking issues in Old Lyon.