10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Lyon
What to Do on a Romantic Trip to Lyon?
You’ll be pleased to know that the best things to do for couples in Lyon make the most of this wonderful town. Lyon, the former capital of Gaul, has a long and rich history and is particularly famous for its cuisine and architecture. The vintage décor of the Old Town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers the perfect backdrop for slow-paced romantic strolls.
From the urban parks to the intriguing museums and from a gourmet dinner on a bus to a small island on the Saône River, these hidden gems make for an ideal amorous getaway in Lyon. Follow us on a virtual journey through Lyon’s most romantic places.
What are the best things to do for couples in Lyon?
1. Lose yourself in the Traboules
Hide and seek in Lyon’s historic passageways
Good for: Couples, History, Photo, Budget
The traboules are a network of hidden, covered passageways linking Lyon’s Old Town’s buildings to each other and to the River Saone. Built in the 4th century, their purpose was to permit the silk industry’s workmen to safely transportation their precious textiles out of the rain.
Today, about 40 of them are open to the public. They offer an unusual, timeless journey through the quaintest neighborhood of Lyon. You can find a map of the traboules at the Office de Tourisme - Antenne Vieux Lyon.
Location: 4 Avenue du Doyenne, 69005 Lyon, France
Lose yourself in the Traboules
2. Share a kiss on l’Île Barbe
A peaceful island on the river
Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget
L’Île Barbe is a small island on the River Saône, 3 km north of downtown Lyon. Accessible via a bridge that crosses the river, it offers a serene place for a romantic stroll. Most of the island is private, but you can visit the 5th-century abbey and see beautiful vintage houses.
Tranquil spots along the river provide romantic backdrops for adorable couple selfies and you and your loved one can indulge with a gourmet lunch at the stunning Auberge de L’Île Barbe, in the hamlet that occupies the center of the island.
Location: L’Île Barbe, 69009 Lyon, France
Share a kiss on l'Île Barbe
3. Go window shopping on Rue de la République
Lyon’s main shopping street
Good for: Couples, Shoppers, Photo
Take your loved one for a window-shopping promenade on the most popular shopping street in Lyon. Centrally located, the Rue de la République is a 1 km street, pedestrianized for around 600 meters between Bellecourt Square and The Cordeliers Square.
Lined with a myriad of boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, you’ll also find malls, designer stores, and international food outlets here. Wide and framed by majestic Haussmann-style buildings, it’s a lively, pleasant shopping hub. It’s even been named a UNESCO World Heritage site, so you’re sure to see some pretty sights.
Location: Marseille, 69009 Lyon, France
Go window shopping on Rue de la République
4. Relax together with a couples’ massage
Relaxing spa treatments for 2
Good for: Couples, Luxury
A relaxing spa treatment for 2 is a true delight during a romantic getaway, and Lyon is home to a fair choice of first-class establishments in this domain. Try Spa Cinq Mondes on Rue Auguste Comte. Their Grand Felicity Couples Ritual is aptly named and will leave you both feeling harmonized and full of energy.
Alternatively, go to Thaï Paradis on Rue Romarin to enjoy a traditional Thai massage with warm oil to relieve tension and increase suppleness. Last but not least, indulge yourselves with a top-notch body scrub treatment for 2 at the upscale SPA de Luxe - Pavillon de la Rotonde on Avenue Georges Bassinet in Charbonnières-les-Bains.
5. Visit the Musée des Beaux Arts de Lyon
Lovely museum in a historical building
Good for: Couples, History
Settled in a former 17th-century Benedictine convent, the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts takes you on a journey through historical and modern arts. The museum’s collections feature lovely romantic paintings and sculptures, such as La Tentation de Saint-Antoine by August Rodin and Danseuses sur scène by Edgar Degas.
During your visit, be sure to wander through the 1,200 square meter garden, which offers a peaceful place for an amorous stroll. On warm days, you can also enjoy a drink on the terrace of the restaurant that overlooks the garden. Read more
Location: 20 Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon, France
Open: Wednesday – Monday from 10 am to 6 pm (opens at 10.30 am on Fridays, closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +33 (0)4 72 10 17 40
Visit the Musée des Beaux Arts de Lyon
6. Stroll together in the Parc de la Tête d’Or
One of the largest urban parks in France
Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget
Take a breath of fresh air at one of the largest urban parks in France. The Parc de la Tête d’Or, or the Park of the Golden Head in English, lies just north of the city center, along the Rhône River. Covering 1.17 sq km and housing the Lyon Zoo and a botanical garden, it’s a very pleasant patch of green to stroll hand in hand with your loved one.
You can also enjoy a romantic boat ride on the lake or ride the whimsical carousel together. There’s a kiosk available if you’d like to share an ice cream or buy a cuddly souvenir to commemorate your wonderful date. Read more
Location: Parc de la Tête d’Or, 69006 Lyon, France
Open: Daily from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm
Phone: +33 (0)4 72 69 47 60
Stroll together in the Parc de la Tête d'Or
7. Catch the sunset from the top of the Fourviere Hill
The highest point in Lyon
Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget
Reach the top of Fourvière Hill by the funicular railway to catch a sunset and some of the best views of Lyon. A large, panoramic terrace partially covered with trees sits on the left, at the foot of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. You’ll be amazed by one of Lyon’s most famous landmarks, the La Tour Métallique, and by the Roman ruins of Lugdunum.
Take a seat together on one of the benches available and enjoy the serene ambience of the place as the setting sun paints the town in hues of orange and red. It’s usually quiet and not too crowded on weekdays, outside the school holidays.
Location: Place de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon, France
Catch the sunset from the top of the Fourviere Hill
8. Enjoy an unusual dinner in Le Wagon Bar
Dining on the go
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury, Unusual
Jump aboard a bus boasting a glass roof and large windows for an unusual, but unforgettable, dinner date. Once you’re settled at your table, the sleek black bus departs for a slow-paced sightseeing tour through the Old Town and the city center. A delectable 5-course gourmet dinner is served while the bus navigates through the twilit city for 3 hours.
Lyon by night is superb, the décor and atmosphere in the bus is stylish and jazzy, the dinner is refined, and the wine list features only top-notch labels. In short, it’s an incredible option for a romantic special occasion with your significant other.
Location: 34 Pl. Bellecour, 69002 Lyon, France
Phone: +33 (0)7 86 06 65 19
Enjoy an unusual dinner in Le Wagon Bar
9. Treat yourself with a romantic dinner
Intimate gourmet restaurants abound
Good for: Couples, Food
Often referred to as the French capital city of gastronomy, Lyon is a true gourmet’s paradise. Here are 2 restaurants which serve first-class fare in a romantic atmosphere, but you can be sure there are so many more that will deliver an epic dinner date.
Enjoy delicious regional fare with a view of the Rhône River at the bright and elegant Les Trois Dômes on Quai Dr. Gailleton. Alternatively, the Michelin-starred Burgundy Lounge on Quai Saint-Antoine is an intimate and creative restaurant with a décor that blends vintage and modern styles.
10. Watch a show at the Lyon Opera
One of the world’s best lyrical theaters
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Standing proudly on the Comédie Square in the heart of the city, the Lyon Opera theater offers a beautifully elegant place to take your date. Considered one of the best lyrical theaters in the world, it presents an excellent choice of shows from classic opera to ballet to jazz concerts.
For something truly special, why not take a backstage tour or visit on one of their European Heritage Days? Featuring sublime architecture and shows of exceptional quality, a night at the opera with your loved one will leave you both with an unforgettable memory of Lyon.
Location: 1 Place de la Comédie, 69001 Lyon, France
Open: Show times vary
Phone: +33 (0)4 69 85 54 54
Watch a show at the Lyon Opera
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