Best of Lyon

Lying at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, Lyon has been entrancing visitors since the Romans first put down roots in 43 BCE. Its walkable center is dotted with traditional Lyonnais-style eateries known as bouchons, which help cultivate its reputation as one of France's and Europe's gastronomic capitals, and you can head to the hilltop district of Fourvière for a look at ancient ruins and sweeping views over the city. Befitting a city of its size (France’s third-largest), Lyon has a Unesco-listed old town, fabulous art museums, and grand squares. But there are plenty of surprises: secret laneways (called traboules), marionette shows, and a district once famous for its silk weavers. 

There’s much to see, but if time is limited, a Best of Lyon private tour combines sightseeing with gastronomy, taking you to key landmarks and culinary hot spots where you can sample the local specialties. Lyon’s strategic location puts you just a short hop from Beaujolais country, where you can explore quaint villages, followed by visits to heritage vineyards (with wine tasting) on small group tours. For further countryside diversions, head to the frozen-in-time medieval village of Perouges and explore the less traipsed side of the Rhône Valley on visits to goat farms, pottery shops, and chocolate factories.