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Best neighborhoods in Lyon, France

We will have a few days in Lyon in early October. We are looking for a b&b in a nice area and close to dining, museums, etc. What do we not want to miss???

Thanks!

Posted by
2768 posts

Several of us on the RS forum have independently recommended Le Bouchon des Filles for their fixed price full dinner, which includes all the Lyonnaise classics done well, including the distinctive thick-bottomed wine bottles. Homey atmosphere.

At that time of year, you should also consider La Tete de Lard. If you're used to Parisian cuisine, this will be a surprise.

Insider tip -- all the major guidebooks and websites and maps list more or less the same traboules in the old town, but it you do a little more searching online, you'll find hobbyists and hikers who have made their own maps of much more out-of-the-way traboules around Croix Rousse. Get the background and lay of the land from a guide, but then strike out early one morning and find the hidden corridors.

Posted by
11294 posts

"What do we not want to miss???"

Rick's France book has a very good chapter on Lyon, listing all of the "main" attractions. You can see which ones appeal to you. I was particularly interested in the Resistance Museum and the Lumiere Museum, and I enjoyed the market along the river (I forget which day it was held, but it goes on for blocks).

In addition, I found Lyon a very nice town just to hang out in; it's my second favorite city in France after Paris.

Posted by
4 posts

Hi Maggie,
We were in Lyon in June 2013 before taking an AMA river cruise. We stayed at the Hotel des Artistes (www.hotel-des-artistes.fr) which I believe we found on the Rick Steves web pages. It was well located, fairly cheap and easy walking to most of the areas we wanted to see. Check it out, and have a great trip.
Terry R

Posted by
11294 posts

I forgot to add that I enjoyed my stay at Hôtel du Théâtre: http://www.hotel-du-theatre.net/index_en.php. It's not a B&B, but it's very central and I walked to many places. It has no elevator and there are stairs to get to the lobby, then more to your room; other than that, I found no negatives, and would certainly stay there again.

Ben is quite correct that Lyon's transit is excellent, and fun too. Be sure to take metro line D and go to the front of the first car; it's driverless, and as Rick says, you feel like you're piloting your own starship. If you don't get a Lyon Card (which, if you're seeing a few things each day and taking a walking tour, can be a good deal), consider getting a day pass each day for transit. While you can walk as I said, it's very nice to be able to hop on a tram or metro when you get tired, or to see things like the Lumiere museum that are not in the center.