Lyon offers one of France’s best winter breaks: a foodie’s dream city with easy access to the French Alps. With flights from London Southend Airport to Lyon, you can spend a few days on bouchons, wine bars, UNESCO-listed streets and riverside wandering, then head for the slopes for an adrenaline-filled Alpine adventure.
Think long lunches in traditional Lyonnais restaurants, hidden traboules in Vieux Lyon, hilltop views from Fourvière and world-class ski resorts like Alpe d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Val Thorens, Méribel and Courchevel within reach.
Here’s your ultimate guide to Lyon, including where to stay, what to book, where to eat and how to turn this French city break into a winter trip with real flavour.
Book your flight to Lyon from London Southend Airport.
Flight times between London Southend (SEN) and Lyon (LYS):
| Day | Depart SEN | Arrive LYS | Depart LYS | Arrive SEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 07:25 | 09:55 | 10:35 | 11:10 |
| Saturday | 10:40 | 13:10 | 13:50 | 14:25 |
| Sunday | 11:35 | 14:05 | 14:40 | 15:15 |
When is the best time to visit Lyon?
Lyon really shines in winter. This is the season for cosy bouchons, candlelit wine bars, Christmas lights, museum afternoons and long lunches that make the cold weather feel like part of the plan. Spend a night or two eating your way around the city, then head on to the French Alps and hit the slopes for skiing, snowboarding and unbeatable mountain views.
Read more: 15 holiday essentials you never knew you needed
Where can you ski near Lyon?
Lyon is one of the best city-break gateways to the French Alps. You can fly in, spend a night eating your way around the city, then continue on to some of Europe’s biggest ski resorts by shuttle, train connection or private transfer. Here are your options.
- Alpe d’Huez: A big-name resort in the Isère Alps, known for high-altitude skiing, wide pistes and serious mountain views. It’s a strong option if you want a classic French ski holiday with plenty of terrain and a proper resort feel.
- Les Deux Alpes: One of the most popular options from Lyon, with a transfer time of around 2 hours 35 minutes from Lyon Airport depending on traffic and weather. It’s known for high-altitude skiing, lively après-ski and a glacier area that helps extend the season.
- Val Thorens: The highest resort in the Three Valleys and a brilliant pick if snow reliability is top of your list. It’s further from Lyon than Alpe d’Huez or Les Deux Alpes, but worth considering if you want huge ski terrain and a big-resort atmosphere.
- Méribel and Courchevel: Two of the best-known names in the Three Valleys, with access to one of the largest linked ski areas in the world. Méribel is a good all-rounder, while Courchevel brings polished hotels, smart restaurants and a more premium feel.
- La Plagne and Les Arcs: These linked Paradiski resorts are ideal if you want a large ski area with plenty for different abilities. They’re especially useful for groups where not everyone skis at the same level.
- Tignes and Val d’Isère: Further into the Alps, but serious options for experienced skiers, snowboarders and anyone chasing high-altitude conditions. Transfer operators connect Lyon Airport with both resorts during the winter season.
Where should I stay in Lyon?
If you’re planning a stay in the city proper, Lyon has a great spread of central hotels, practical station bases and characterful stays close to the old streets. Here are our top choices.
- If you’re planning a stay in the city proper, Lyon has a great spread of central hotels, practical station bases and characterful stays close to the old streets. Here are our top choices.
- Bioparc, Lyon City: A good-value option east of the centre, useful if you want a simpler base and don’t mind using public transport to reach the main sights. Book 3 nights from £201pp, plus local tax.
- Novotel Lyon Gerland Musée Confluence, Lyon City: A practical choice near the Confluence area and the Musée des Confluences, with good access to the riverfront and modern side of Lyon. Book 3 nights from £262pp, plus local tax.
- Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux Arts, Lyon City: A strong central pick in the Presqu’île, putting you close to shopping streets, Place Bellecour, the Saône and Vieux Lyon. Book 3 nights from £329, plus local tax.
- Fourvière Hotel Lyon, Lyon City: A characterful stay on Fourvière hill, close to the basilica and above the Old Town. A good choice if you want a quieter base with a very Lyon sense of place. Book 3 nights from £366pp, plus local tax.
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What is there to do in Lyon?
Lyon is a city of layers, with Roman remains on the hill, Renaissance streets below, silk-weaver shortcuts through old buildings and modern museums by the rivers. Here’s what you can’t miss.
- Explore Vieux Lyon: The city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of Europe’s best-preserved Renaissance districts, with cobbled lanes, pastel buildings, courtyards and plenty of places to stop for coffee or lunch.
- Find the traboules: Lyon’s traboules are covered passageways running through buildings and courtyards. Many were used by silk workers moving fabric through the city, and they’re one of the most Lyon-specific sights you can explore.
- Ride the funicular to Fourvière Basilica: Sitting high above the city, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is known for its mosaics, marble, stained glass and wide views across Lyon.
- Walk the Presqu’île: The central peninsula between the Rhône and Saône is where you’ll find big squares, shops, cafés, restaurants and some of Lyon’s easiest city wandering.
- Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts: Set inside a former 17th-century abbey near Place des Terreaux, this major fine arts museum covers everything from ancient Egypt to European painting and sculpture.
- Head to Parc de la Tête d’Or: Lyon’s largest city park has gardens, a lake, greenhouses and a zoo, making it a good breather between museums and meals.
- See the Festival of Lights: In December, Lyon’s famous Fête des Lumières fills streets and landmarks with light installations, projections and evening crowds. It’s one of the city’s biggest annual events
Must-try restaurants in Lyon
Lyon is widely regarded as France’s culinary capital, and it takes that title very seriously. We’re not just talking about the best restaurants in Lyon here – we’re talking about some of the best in the world. This is the place for bouchons, food halls, classic brasseries, wine bars and special-occasion meals that make you understand why people plan entire trips around Lyonnais cuisine.
- La Meunière: A proper Lyonnais bouchon in the Presqu’île, right in the centre of the city, serving classics like pâté en croûte, oeufs meurette, Lyonnais salad and quenelles. Go here for the traditional version of Lyon: generous, cosy and built around the table.
- Daniel & Denise: Chef Joseph Viola’s group of not one, not two, but trois bouchons has locations in Vieux Lyon, Croix-Rousse and Créqui. It’s a perfect pick for Lyonnais cooking with polish, hearty dishes, a lively room and the kind of meal you’ll need to walk off.
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse: Not one restaurant, but too important to skip. This indoor food hall in Part-Dieu is the place to browse cheese, charcuterie, patisserie, seafood and wine, or sit down for a proper lunch among the stalls.
- Brasserie Georges: A Lyon institution near Perrache station, open since 1836. Come for the grand brasserie room and traditional dishes.
- La Mère Brazier: A special-occasion restaurant near Croix-Paquet with serious Lyon history. Founded in 1921 by Eugénie Brazier, it remains one of the city’s landmark fine-dining addresses.
- Bars and nightlife in Lyon
- Lyon’s nightlife perfectly matches the city’s daytime vibe, with good wine, proper cocktails, riverside spots and enough late-night energy to help you dance off that dinner. Start central, then head towards Confluence if you’re hoping for a certified Big Night Out™.
- L’Antiquaire, Presqu’île: A candlelit cocktail bar in the 1st arrondissement known for classic drinks and old-school speakeasy style. Good for a quieter start to the evening.
- Soda Bar, Presqu’île: A lively cocktail bar near Hôtel de Ville, useful if you want somewhere central after dinner around the Presqu’île.
- Le Sucre, Confluence: A rooftop club and cultural venue on top of La Sucrière, known for electronic music, late nights and views over the redeveloped riverside district.
- Ninkasi: A Lyon-born craft beer name with bar-restaurants across the city. Good for beer, burgers, live music and an easygoing night out.
- The Wallace, Vieux Lyon: A Scottish-style pub close to the Old Town, useful for casual drinks, beer and a lively crowd.
Top tips for your stay in Lyon
Remember these tips before you pack!
- Book bouchons ahead: Lyon’s best traditional restaurants fill up quickly, especially at weekends. If there’s somewhere you really want to eat, reserve before you travel.
- Use the funicular for Fourvière: The basilica sits high above Vieux Lyon, so take the funicular up and save your legs for wandering back down.
- Explore the traboules respectfully: Some of Lyon’s hidden passageways run through residential buildings, so keep noise down, follow signs and don’t force closed doors.
- Check Festival of Lights dates early: The Fête des Lumières is one of Lyon’s biggest events, so hotels, restaurants and transport can get much busier.
- Check passport and entry requirements: France is in the Schengen Area, so UK travellers should check passport validity, visa rules and ETIAS updates before travelling.
From hidden passageways to hilltop views, Lyon is a city that rewards a good appetite and a curious streak. So bon voyage – and bon appétit!
Book your flight to Lyon from London Southend Airport.
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