What to do in Lyon in summer

Summer activities in Lyon

Lyon is worth visiting at any time of year, but summer has some real tourist highlights! Spending time here in June, July or August allows you to experience the city at a different pace, away from the crowds, and make the most of the waterways. Although Lyon isn’t by the sea, water is a prominent feature here and there are plenty of activities to help you cool off! Here are a few ideas for things to do during your summer stay: 

• Take a cruise along the water in a licence-free boat or join a sightseeing tour with Bateaux Lyonnais. Alternatively, get active by paddling or pedalling yourself. Find out more. 
• Take a stroll along the banks of the Rhône and the Saône. In summer, the people of Lyon come here to cool down. Combine business with pleasure by strolling along the banks of the Rhône and Saône. At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset while sipping a drink on a barge moored on the Rhône quays. 
• Seek out the shade of the trees in the parks to cool down in the heat. The Tete d'Or Park is particularly well suited to this, with its 117 hectares of greenery and large lake. Here’s a selection of ten parks where you can experience the countryside in Lyon. 
• Wander through the shade of the traboules – in summer, those in Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse stay relatively cool thanks to their thick walls. There's nothing quite like it for discovering this unique architectural feature of Lyon while escaping the heat! Find out all about the traboules. 
• Visit an air-conditioned museum – in summer, they provide the perfect refuge from the heat. With collections ranging from antiquity and the Resistance to fine and contemporary art, you’re bound to find a museum to suit your interests. Find out more about all the museums in Lyon and the wider metropolitan area.  

Looking for a breath of fresh air? Lyon and its surroundings are full of parks, lakes and shady spots where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. After your afternoon nap, try some unusual outdoor activities for a complete change of scenery with friends, family or your partner!

Summer's must-see events in Lyon

In Lyon, summer is all about celebrations, from day one! On 21 June, the Fête de la Musique marks the start of summer everywhere in France, bringing every neighbourhood in the city to life. The whole city is in a festive mood, from the forecourt of Saint-Jean Cathedral to the Croix-Rousse plateau, from the Fourvière esplanade to the city centre.

At the end of June, the Entre Rhône et Saône festival puts Lyon’s rivers centre stage. The programme features a traditional open-air café atmosphere, a giant picnic and water sports, as well as activities to raise awareness of water conservation.

In early July, two festivals bring the city to life: the Soïo Mundo festival fills Blandan Park with traditional music, while the Intérieur Queer festival brings together LGBTQI+ communities and their allies at various venues across the city.

Throughout the summer, you can enjoy the many free events organised as part of the ‘Tout l’monde dehors’ programme. Featuring theatre, cinema, music and dance, it is a veritable feast for the eyes, on a par with Lyon’s 14 July celebrations.