Fourth episode of our series of urban bike rides: this week to Lyon, the city of lights!
The main gateway to the Alps, Lyon is a city that shines. In love with strolls you will be filled by the multiple possibilities that offers the capital of Gaules. The historical richness of the districts of Vieux Lyon, Fourvière and Croix Rousse takes you back centuries. On the other hand, Lyon is also looking to the future, as the Confluence and Part-Dieu districts testify.
Arrival at Lyon station
9 AM / LYON PART-DIEU TRAIN STATION
Vélo’v station: Part-Dieu / Gare SNCF
Vélo’v itinerary: 10 min
9:15 AM / PARC DE LA TÊTE D’OR
Not far from the station by bike, enjoy the Parc de la Tête d’Or, the largest urban park in France! In addition to the park, take a walk in the botanical garden and the zoological park.
Vélo’v station: Avenue Verguin
Vélo’v itinerary: 11 min
11 am / Lyon City center
Direction the Place des Terreaux and its surroundings where you won’t have any trouble finding something to take a well-deserved lunch break! Epicentre of the Lyon City center, the square is a good starting point to discover the following places:
- Fontaine Bartholdi
- Musée des Beaux Arts
- Jardin des Beaux Arts
- Town Hall
- Opéra de Lyon
Vélo’v station: Terreaux / Chenavard
Vélo’v itinerary: 10 min + 5 min by funicular
1 pm / Fourvière
Cross the Saône to reach your next destination: the “hill that prays”, Fourvière! The hill offers an unobstructed view of the city, but it is difficult to reach by bike, so don’t hesitate to take the funicular. The “Vieux Lyon” funicular station is a stone’s throw from the bicycle station. Once at the top, in addition to the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière that you can visit, you can admire the view of Lyon, as well as the Alps in the background!
Nearby, also take the time to take a look at the Gallo-Roman remains of Lugdunum.
Vélo’v station: St Jean
Itinerary by funicular: 5 min
3 pm / Vieux Lyon
Get down from the hill and walk or bike through Vieux Lyon. Leaving the funicular station, you will see the Cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptiste overlooking the charming Place Saint-Jean. During your walk, you will be able to discover a certain number of hotels or private houses.
The Maison du Crible is a must in the neighbourhood. Once past the entrance into the street, you will discover an inner courtyard hidden from view. A monumental pink circular tower dominates the site.
Vélo’v station: St Jean
Walking itinerary: 5 min
4:30 pm / Place Bellecour
Cross the Saône to go to the famous Place Bellecour where an equestrian statue of Louis XIV sits.
The Tourist Office is located on this place.
Vélo’v station: Bellecour / St Exupéry
Vélo’v itinerary: 13 min
5:30 / MUSÉE DES CONFLUENCES
Set on the southern tip of the Lyon Peninsula, the Musée des Confluences shines through its deconstructivist architectural style. It houses collections of natural history, anthropology and civilizations.
The museum garden offers unique access to the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, a place of rest and stroll not to be missed.
Vélo’v station: Musée des Confluences
Vélo’v itinerary: 2 min
7:30 pm / Berges du Rhône
Cross the Rhône via the Raymond Barre bridge a recent infrastructure dedicated to non-motorised mobility. If you like the idea, you can even sunbathe on the bridge thanks to particularly well thought-out street furniture. Slowly begin to approach the train station, while enjoying the refurbished banks of the Rhône. At the Lafayette bridge, take the Cours du Lafayette and back to the train station.
Vélo’v itinerary: 11 min
9 PM / LYON PART-DIEU TRAIN STATION
Vélo’v station: Part-Dieu / Gare SNCF
End of day.
CHECK-LIST FOR A SUCCESSFUL STROLL
Bike share system in Lyon: Vélo’v
Vélo’v rental rate:
Ticket 1 day (24h)= 4€
30 first minutes are free
Cost of the 2nd half hour of use= 0,05€/min
Cost of the 2nd hour utilisation= 0,10€/min
Cost of the 3rd hour utilisation= 0,15€/min
The predictive app, dedicated to BikeShare, BikePredict is available for Lyon agglomeration. It allows you to predict up to 12 hours in advance of the availability of bikes and/or places in a station. Practical for planning your day in the city!
