20 weekend ideas around Lyon

Want to leave the Capital of Gauls for a weekend and discover new horizons? Here are 20 weekend ideas around Lyon!

Antique capital des Gaules, Lyon is certainly well located in the French territory. The Alps, the Provence and the Mediterranean, Switzerland or the Central Massif, Burgundy or Ardèche : quantity of must-see regions are just a few hours' drive from this great metropolis!

Are you looking for a destination to evade and get out of town? We give you in this article 20 weekend ideas around Lyon! Ready for adventure?

1. Annecy

Annecy is an ideal destination for a weekend around Lyon! Near by transport, the Alpine city does not lack charms with its canals, picturesque streets and geranium houses. Surrounded by high mountains, Annecy is also known for its lake .

This mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains is the ideal spot for swimming, nautical activities or for stuffing.

2. Saint-Étienne

Voisine and rival of Lyon, Saint-Étienne is an eclectic and surprising city. Formerly a city of “arm, cycle and ribbon”, coal and industrial exploitation, it is now one of the main cities of Design in France. His City of Design is a good testimony, as is the works of art disseminated through its streets.

Between the industrial past, to be discovered through its museums, and alternative places and art galleries, you will not be bored!

3. The Vercors

Are you looking for weekend ideas around Lyon? To escape out of the cities, take a tour in the Vercors! This mountainous massif of the Préalpes is on horseback on the departments of Isère and Drôme .

In addition to hiking, many other activities await you: mountain biking, cross-country skiing, paragliding, horse riding... And of course, you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes, between lush forests and clear views of the high alpine mountains.

4. Vallon Pont d’Arc

For a dive in the middle of nature, you can also take a tour in Ardèche. And to fully enjoy this region, Vallon Pont d’Arc is certainly one of the most important villages. After all, it is the ideal starting point to achieve a small or large descent of the Ardèche River.

Close to this picturesque village, you can also admire the famous Pont d’Arc, a superb canyon dug in the limestone by the river. Top place of the Prehistory, you will finally find many caves, including the Chauvet cave , listed in UNESCO World Heritage.

5. Valencia

Visit Valencia is one of the best weekend ideas around Lyon. Situated between Vercors and Provence, it is often considered the gates of the South of France. Here you will discover a rich historical and architectural heritage, well present through the many vestiges of the medieval era and the Renaissance of the city centre.

Around the city, beautiful hikes await you, like the ViaRhôna bike.

6. Les Monts d’Ardèche

The Monts d’Ardèche Regional Natural Park is certainly worth a visit. Near Lyon, this territory displays quite different faces. Renowned for the culture of chestnut, you will discover here a wild territory with strong identity.

Through your hikes you will admire the impressive volcanic landscapes and plateaus, a preserved rural heritage, with old mills and old houses. Finally, you will appreciate its great medieval fortresses that punctuate its rocky sparrows. Beautiful views await you at their top!

7. Montélimar and the Drôme provençale

South of Valencia, and a few steps from the Monts d’Ardèche, you can visit Montélimar. Porte du soleil, this city of the Drôme Provençale is known as the world capital of the nougat. The gourmets will obviously delight in this treat. But the city will also delight history lovers. The city has a rich historical heritage, of which the castle of Adhémar is the proud emblem!

8. Les Baronnies provençales

One of the other excellent weekend ideas around Lyon is to visit the Provencal Baronnies. This Regional Natural Park extends between the Drôme and the Hautes-Alpes . Amid an exceptional fauna and flora, the fruit of the mix of the Mediterranean and alpine climates of Baronnies, this territory is to be discovered absolutely!

In addition to the exceptional natural landscapes and the many species to observe, it also houses a rich historical heritage. Through your hikes and getaways, you will discover perched villages, ruins of castles located at the top of rocky spruce and lavender fields.

9. Aix-les-Bains

Aix-les-Bains is located on the edge of Lake Bourget, a town with a regional natural park of the Bauges massif. The latter is the largest glacial lake of origin in France. Surrounded by high and beautiful mountains, the city and its lake offer breathtaking landscapes.

High holiday resort at the Belle Époque, it also has a sublime heritage to admire while walking around town. The city has many activities: walks in town or around the lake, sailing, swimming and stuffing.

10. La Vanoise

Are you still looking for weekend ideas around Lyon? Take height and touch the sky. After all, the Alps and its high mountains are just a few hours from the Capital of Gauls. The Vanoise National Park is obviously one of the ideal destinations in the Alps.

In addition to alpine skiing, a sport king of these mountains, the massif is full of activities, cities and villages to discover. Bonneval-sur-Arc will seduce you by its authenticity and picturesque, Val d’Isère or Val Thorens will delight the athletes. Everywhere you can start beautiful hikes and admire breathtaking landscapes!

11. Writers

Situated southwest of the Vanoise, the massif of the Writers impresses by its size, but also by its sublime landscapes of high-montagne. This territory is known for its many and large glaciers. Weed hikers will be served here in a dream setting. Each climb will be rewarded with spectacular views.

Mountain lakes, perched glaciers, cut mountains and enamelled mountain pastures of chalets are all the wonders that await you there. Massif renowned for mountaineering, it houses many cities and winter sports stations. La Grave, Serre-Chevalier or Les Deux Alpes are charming places to stop and plan your adventures.

12. Avignon and Luberon

Let's leave the high mountain for a while to go back to the plains! Avignon and the Lubéron, in the south of France, are also part of the best weekend ideas around Lyon.

The City of the Popes is easily accessible by train or by car from our gastronomy capital. Enjoy your stay in Avignon to discover its architectural and historical heritage. Also take the time to visit the nearby Luberon. Some villages are absolutely worth the detour, as Mergers , Roussillon or Gordes .

13. Dijon

Closer to our City of Light, Dijon is also a charming destination for a weekend around Lyon. Once a strong place of the Duchy of Burgundy, it is a city with rich culture and heritage. The Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne is thus one of its must-sees, just like its Halles.

Take the time to lose yourself in the pedestrian streets of its city centre. You will then discover its architecture, museums, small churches and shops, all more charming than others. You can't be bored! For a stay between history, art and gastronomy, Dijon is one of the best weekend ideas around Lyon. Don't miss visiting her.

14. The Beaujolais Wine Route

You don't want to go far from Lyon? For a weekend around Lyon, follow the Beaujolais wine route! Because, like any vineyard that respects itself, Beaujolais has a circuit to awaken your taste buds, discover new flavors and amaze you.

From Chânes to the gates of Lyon, you will thus cross a dozen communes. All of you offer to discover their heritage, cuvée and other treats. Emblematic wines are offered to you: Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié or Brouilly.

15. Lake Nantua

Just an hour's drive from Lyon, you'll find this charming Lake Jura ideal destination during the summer. Enclosed by beautiful limestone cliffs, its waters vary from blue in time covered to dark green in sunny days.

From glacial origin, this large lake will delight both swim enthusiasts and fishing enthusiasts. You can also rent pedalo or sail to explore the waters! In short, it is the ideal place for a relaxing weekend a few steps from the Capital of Gauls.

16. Clermont-Ferrand and the Puys Chain

Near Lyon, another city is worth visiting. Historic Capital of the Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand is known for its volcanoes and enchanting landscapes. Built partly in Andesite, a volcanic rock, this city presents a surprising architectural heritage.

His Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is one of the great witnesses. But you can also visit its medieval district, its Basilica Notre-Dame du Port or its Place de Jaude. Also enjoy your stay to make a tour Vulcania , and above all to admire its volcanic landscapes. The nearby Puys Chain is thus to be discovered absolutely. Beautiful hikes, viewers and extraordinary views await you in this way!

17. Lake Geneva

Among the best weekend ideas around Lyon, we can also mention a circuit around Lake Geneva! Also known as Lake Geneva, it is surrounded by sublime landscapes, charming cities and villages. It has many activities.

Make a tour by the Switzerland to visit Geneva then Lausanne . The latter, a place conducive to the practice of many outdoor sports, presents incredible scenery with the city and then the lake in the foreground and beautiful snowy mountains in the second.

Côté France , you can also go to Thonon-les-Bains, or even to Yvoire, most beautiful villages in Savoie . All around Lake Geneva, you can swim, hike, sail, pedalo or paddle.

18. Alpe d’Huez

The Alpe d’Huez, known as the “Isle of the Sun”, enjoys exceptional sunshine throughout the year. Located on a plateau, in the heart of the Grandes Rousses massif, the resort is an ideal destination for a weekend around Lyon.

In winter, you can indulge in skiing and other skiing. Don't miss climbing the Pic Blanc at 3,330 meters, especially if you are a good skier! You will then enjoy an incredible view of the surrounding mountains.

In the summer, 250 kilometres of marked itineraries are offered to hikers, including many family walks. You won’t be able to get bored, especially since the station is quite animated!

19. Orange

Nicknamed the “Cité des Princes”, Orange is well known to holidaymakers using the Autoroute du Soleil. Its intersection position Italy , Spain and north of Gaul made it an important center in the Roman era.

There are many Roman vestiges, such as its ancient ramparts or its sublime Ancient Theatre of Orange . The latter is worth the detour through its conservation and beauty. Its Roman triumph arc and cathedral are also other must-see monuments.

Culture, history, arts and gastronomy, it has everything to seduce travellers during a weekend!

20. Tain l’Hermitage

To finish this list of weekend ideas around Lyon, we could not fail to mention the city of Tain l’Hermitage. Located 80 kilometers south of Lyon, this winery is a good destination for two or three days. She will obviously delight wine lovers. The surrounding area is full of prestigious appellations: Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Cornas.

Consider visiting it in February, for its great wine fair, or in September for the feast of the vintages. You can also visit its Cité du Chocolat Valrhona.

You now know that weekend ideas around Lyon don't miss. It’s hard to make a choice, isn’t it?