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- Heat wave: Ways to beat the heat in Lyon
Heat wave: Ways to beat the heat in Lyon
A few ideas to stay cool this summer
Bon plan
Last updated date : 19/06/2026
What to do during periods of sweltering heat in Lyon?
Here are a few tips and suggestions to get through summer heat spikes while making the most of all the city has to offer.
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Latest updates
Due to the forecast heatwave, some venues and activities are making adjustments.
- The Lugdunum Museum is extending its opening hours : 9 am–6 pm from Tuesday to Friday, instead of the usual 11 am–6 pm. Weekend opening hours remain unchanged: 10 am–6 pm.
- Three air-conditioned museums will be open free of charge during their usual opening hours: the Museum of Fine Arts (until 29 July), the Modern Art Museum and the two Gadagne museums (until 28 June).
- During this heatwave, Blandan and Gerland parks will be open until midnight, while Tête d'Or Park will be open until 11:30 pm.
Bathing spots in Lyon
A refreshing dip is a great way to cool down your body. You’ll find many swimming pools and water parks open throughout the summer in the metropolitan area. There are more than thirty of them in total, including five in Lyon proper (3th, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th districts).
In 2026, as part of its scheme 'Objectif fraîcheur' (Focus on freshness), Lyon will be extending the summer season and expanding opening hours at its municipal swimming pools.
Where to go bathing in Lyon?
When temperatures get too hot or just to unwind, here are a few addresses for swimming pools and natural bathing spots in Lyon and the surrounding area.
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More ideas to cool down
Shelter in a shaded park
Lyon is full of green spaces of various kinds, including parks, squares, walkways and gardens, to find a shaded spot for a break.
In 2026, Lyon is introducing night-time openings of the city’s main parks in the event of orange or red heat wave alerts. Gerland park and Blandan park will remain open until midnight and Tête d'Or park until 11:30 pm.
Cool down with a treat
Lyon’s ice-cream parlours are worth going out of your way for, especially when the mercury is rising. Here are a few suggestions to find the tastiest ice creams this summer.
Stay hydrated, wherever you are
‘WaterFriendly’ (#Refillyourbottle) is a scheme that helps you locate places where you can fill your water bottle or flask with no obligation to purchase. They can be identified by a sticker in their window. Find a list of drinking water outlets and shops participating in the scheme here:
Fight plastic waste with #Waterfriendly!
Lyon is strengthening access to water in public spaces. 340 drinking water fountains are now accessible from May to September throughout the city.
Cool spots in Lyon
Cool spaces, air-conditioned places... whether they're museums, indoor activity parks or even caves, here's our selection of places to take refuge when the sun gets too hot!
Enjoy a refreshing museum visit
To soak up some culture in a cool environment, make your way to the Lyon metropolitan area’s major museums. Each museum offers a varied programme of exhibitions and workshops throughout the year.
In 2026, Lyon is offering free access to three air-conditioned municipal museums: the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts), the two Gadagne museums.
This measure will be activated after ten days of an orange alert (from the eleventh day) and on the first day of a red alert. The museums’ opening hours will remain the same during this period.Find out more about the 14 actions included in the City of Lyon’s scheme 'Objectif fraicheur' (Stay cool).
Interactive map of cool spots in Lyon
A cool spot is an oasis in the city during a heat spike. The City of Lyon has identified more than 700 places, both indoor and outdoor, that are freely accessible. They offer a chance to rest while enjoying the resources offered by the city: planted and built heritage, cooled public facilities, drinking water fountain stations, and more. You can also find nine recommended “cool routes”.
Consult the interactive map of cool sports and routes in Lyon.