Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Customize your bowl with sliced pork, pork balls, fish cake, and offal.
Rung Rueang
A typical Khettara well.
Jorf Khettaras
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Shadow Room
The Museum of Lost Tales
Loading...
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
Cely’s map is not only accurate, but captures the unique characteristics of Congaree’s trees and waterways.
How One Biologist Drew a Hyper-Accurate, Ranger-Approved Map of Congaree National Park
Though they’re protected inside the park, wolves can be killed when they cross its borders.
Wolves Have a Bad Reputation. One Yellowstone Naturalist Is Trying to Fix It.
The community board at Rex’s Dino Store advertises all kinds of NYC-specific dino services.
We Visited the Dino Bodega in (Jurassic) Park Slope

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All France Lyon

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Lyon

17 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Lyon, France

Updated October 22, 2024

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Lists
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Lyon

Traboule de Lyon

Lyon, France

Traboules Secret Passages

Hundreds of hidden passageways weave through the old quarters of Lyon.
Dial of Astronomical Clock of Lyon.

Lyon, France

Astronomical Clock of Lyon

For hundreds of years, automatons moving to metallic music have been marking the passage of time.
Main Fourvière theatre.

Lyon, France

Ancient Roman Theaters of Lyon

Lyon, France is home to two remarkably preserved Roman theaters, one dating back to 15 BCE.
One of the detailed miniature scenes

Lyon, France

Musée Miniature et Cinéma

Monsters and miniatures are held in equal esteem at this wondrous museum.
(Flickr/zopeuse)

Lyon, France

Jardin Rosa Mir

A tiled, multi-level garden of survival in Lyon.

Lyon, France

Testut-Latarjet Museum

Nicknamed the "Museum of Horrors," this French anatomical collection has been fascinating visitors for over a century.
Michel Goulet chair.

Lyon, France

Curiosities Garden

This hidden garden boasts amazing views of Lyon.
Le Mur des Canuts.

Lyon, France

'Le Mur des Canuts'

Lyon's "Wall of the Silk Weavers" is one of the largest murals in Europe.
See All 17 Things To Do in Lyon
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Lyon, France

Museums 4
Architecture 2
Clocks 2
Statues 2
Film 2
Art 2
Monuments 2
Astounding Timepieces 2
Architectural Oddities 2
Sacred Spaces 2
Churches 2
Plants 2

Lyon Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Dr Alan P Newman
    3
  2. Xavixavir
    2
  3. lebizarreum
    2
  4. KatieBush
    1
  5. TheWickerWoman
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Lyon.

Places Edited

  1. Xavixavir
    13
  2. StephenVincent
    3
  3. Dr Alan P Newman
    3
  4. luigi40
    2
  5. lebizarreum
    2
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Simpluree
    15
  2. frankclarkx
    15
  3. Xavixavir
    13
  4. penpen63
    13
  5. MrChrisPrice
    12
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Lyon.

Recent Lyon Activity

  • PBarks

    has been to Horloge Charvet

  • SlimShady

    wants to go to Astronomical Clock of Lyon

  • SlimShady

    wants to go to Ancient Roman Theaters of Lyon

  • SlimShady

    wants to go to Jardin Rosa Mir

  • SlimShady

    wants to go to Metallic Tower of Fourvière

Stories About Lyon

Though the arêtes de poisson, or “fishbones,” tunnels were discovered in 1959, research on their origin has been halting and inconclusive.

Was There Treasure Buried Under Lyon?

Since their discovery more than 60 years ago, the "Fishbones" tunnels beneath the French city have been an enigma.
by Anna Richards
December 19, 2022
“La Fresque des Lyonnais,” one of the 150 murals that now decorate the city, pictures famous residents such as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, and the Lumière brothers, pioneers of cinematography.

Look What Happened When Lyon Got a Fresh Coat of Paint

Scores of enormous murals rehabilitated the French city's image and started a mesmerizing street-art trend.
by Anna Richards
November 11, 2021
In the World Championship of Pâté-Croûte, aesthetic helps contestants stand out.

This Fraternity of Frenchmen Is Reviving the Beloved Pâté-Croûte

A foodie brotherhood launched a world competition dedicated to their favorite meaty pastry.
by Emily Monaco
October 4, 2019
Thierry Ehrmann’s La Demeure du Chaos - The Abode of Chaos.

A French Artist's 'Abode of Chaos' Project Is Inspired by 21st-Century Upheaval

Thierry Ehrmann uses giant skulls, burned-out cars, and piles of steel to represent global disorder.
by Hudson Lindenberger
November 9, 2017

Lists Featuring Lyon

They were built in 1979.
Near the top of the stairs (January 2025)
Seward Street Slides

When Stairs and Slides Are Hiding in Plain Sight

Play real-life Chutes and Ladders at these obscure thruways.

9

Including Secret Tiled Staircase, Esmeralda Slide Park, and Howe Street Stairs

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.