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You can spend hours getting lost in the marvellous Vieux Lyon (the old town), with its charming maze of winding alleys, colourful façades and traboules (secret passageways). This area of Lyon has been intact for centuries, and today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Afterwards, head up to La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. This white basilica is a landmark on Lyon’s skyline and the inside is ornately decorated in Baroque and Italian styles. Keep in mind that there are many steps to get to the top, but you’ll be rewarded with superb views when you finally reach. There’s also a funicular running up and down the hill if you don’t fancy tackling all of those steps! 

First opened to the public in 1803, the Musée Des Beaux-Arts is housed within a former 17th-century abbey. This is one of Europe’s biggest art and culture museums anywhere in Europe, featuring over 70 rooms with French and international art on display. Antiquities, art and sculpture, modern art and medieval pieces are all on show here. 

Taking a walk along the Rhône is a superb way to get to grips with the city. You’ll find over 5km of walkways running along the river, passing by gardens, al-fresco cafés, concerts and lots more. It’s a popular running route, so don’t be surprised to see locals out and about, getting in a morning jog. If you’re feeling more energetic, there’s also a dedicated cycling track and even a roller park.

If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city for a while, head for Lyon’s Parc de la Tête d’Or. This is the biggest park in the city and is made up of a lakeshore, zoological park and botanical gardens. There are lots of paths winding through the park, lined with trees that are over a century old. Don’t leave without seeing the Rose Garden, complete with 350 different varieties of rose. 

Lyon is known all over the world for its gastronomy, and that’s quite a feat in a country that loves food as much as France. You can expect to discover an array of dishes gracing menus throughout the city; look out for classics like coq au vin, duck pâté and tender cuts of meat at one of the traditional bouchons – it’s the quintessential Lyon experience.  If you are in search of something lighter, Lyon has a handful of vegetarian bistros including the popular Toutes les Couleurs.

If you love the food on offer at some of the city’s Michelin-starred eateries, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Our top tip: the lunchtime set menus offer surprisingly good value for money. (sounds like an advert)As you might expect, there’s no shortage of beverages to wash everything down either.

The maze-like labyrinth of Vieux Lyon is the place to go for the most interesting souvenirs in town. If you’re after something more eclectic, head over to the Croix-Rousse. Shopping here is all about trendy galleries and salons de thé. 

You’ll find Lyon’s main food market over in Les Halles Bocuse, and it’s absolutely bursting with local flavours. Before you head home, don’t forget to pick up Coussin de Lyon sweets and other delicacies from this region.