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Cool spots in Lyon

Where to go in the Lyon urban area to cool down?

Bon plan

Last updated date : 05/09/2023

The team has gathered a load of ideas to help you escape the heat of the city, as far as possible. Read on to find oases of coolness and air conditioning!

City Surf Park

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Cooling down indoors

The museums of Lyon

For a cultural visit away from the heat, make your way to one of Lyon’s main museums. Each offers a varied and entertaining programme throughout the year. Don’t forget, they are all included in Lyon’s culture and leisure pass: the Lyon City Card!

LYON CITY CARD | GOOD PLAN

The Culture and Leisure Pass

Buy your Lyon City Card! 1, 2, 3 or 4 days, enjoy the best price to visit Lyon in complete freedom! 

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The Lyon Aquarium

Set off on a voyage across the globe! The Lyon Aquarium offers visitors a chance to discover more than 300 salt and freshwater species from around the world. A great experience for children and adults.

© Aquarium de Lyon

Mini World Lyon

Enter the world of miniatures, in La Soie district... Surprisingly realistic animated worlds on a reduced scale await you in a fully air-conditioned area. And this summer, for a change, you've got a date with life-size dinosaurs!

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Maxime Sellem, miniaturiste chez Mini World Lyon © Susie Waroude

Out and about

A day with a miniature set designer

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Exalto

Are you looking for action and excitement? Located near the Puces du Canal flea market, the Exalto leisure complex has eight air-conditioned activity areas with bowling alleys, laser games, escape games, trampolines and more.

City Surf Park

For those who love riding waves, the City Surf Park indoor wave pool is the largest in Europe and adapts to the skill level of participants so that they can surf in complete safety. A unique spot located in the new OL Vallée leisure centre, CitySurfPark is the perfect plan for cooling off!

Shopping centres and cinemas

Les Lyon's shopping centers (Part-Dieu, Printemps, Confluence…) and cinemas are open all summer for a spot of shopping or a movie, in a cool indoor space.

A breath of fresh outdoor air

The parks and gardens of Lyon

Why not take an early morning walk, before the sun gets too hot, or a family picnic in one of Lyon’s many parks and gardens of Lyon, such as Tête d’Or Park and its lake in the 6th district, Blandan Park, a haven of green in the 7th district, and the Jardin des Curiosités in the 5th district, with its stunning panoramic view of the city. You are spoilt for choice in Lyon!

Le lac du parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon © Carole Fournet

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A summer’s day at Tête d’Or Park

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The City Aventure leisure park

Located in the hundred-year-old forest of Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, just a few minutes from Lyon city centre, the City Aventure leisure park is an ideal place for a sporty family day out in a green setting. Beneath the shade of the trees, discover an enchanted world in the company of Ekô et la Tribu des Kofans (Ekô and the Kofans Tribe)… Ready to experience an incredible adventure?

Parc de loisirs City Aventure Lyon - Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon © City Aventure

France Aventures

At the heart of Lyon and in the pleasant shade of trees, discover the thrill of treetop adventure courses and experience new sensations thanks to France Adventures’s seven courses (starting at two years old with the Ouistiti course) with your family or friends. Moreover, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city!

Grottes de la Balme

Just 40 minutes from Lyon, enjoy the charms of this rare and mysterious natural cave site: the Grottes de la Balme. Explore the galleries of this subterranean world, featuring natural labyrinths, an underground lake, stalagmites and stalactites. The temperature in the Grottes de la Balme is stable all year round, ranging from 12 to 15°C in winter and summer!

What better way to cool down than an outing on the water? Isabelle offers a selection of activities to discover Lyon by the  water. Enjoy the coolness and change of scenery!

The City of Lyon has also created an interactive map of cool locations and routes, accessible for all, free of charge, at the times indicated.

Lac d'Aiguebelette © Pays du Lac d'Aiguebelette

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Nature bathing places around Lyon

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