Is Lyon in France Worth Visiting? A Weekend Photo Walk Through the Food Capital
Some cities are meant for slow weekends. Lyon is one of them.
France’s second-largest city may not carry the same fame as Paris or Nice, but it’s where you come to exhale—and eat. Tucked between two rivers, lined with cobbled streets, food markets, and hillside views, Lyon is best explored not with a strict itinerary, but with a camera in hand and a 20L waterproof backpack on your shoulders.
Here’s how I spent 48 hours here—eating, walking, and watching the light change on old stone walls.
🍴 Food First, Always
If you’ve heard Lyon called the gastronomic capital of France, believe it.
From morning coffees to late-night charcuterie, every corner of the city whispers of its culinary heritage. We started at the Paul Bocuse Food Market, a covered hall named after the Michelin-star legend. Seafood stalls, cheese counters, and pâtisseries fill the air with temptation—great for souvenirs, better for spontaneous snacking.
But the highlight? A tiny local bistro we stumbled upon while walking through Vieux Lyon. Duck rillettes, salad, foie gras toast and a glass of white wine in the courtyard—it’s the kind of lunch that makes you forget what time it is.
🏙️ Old Town & Hilltops
We stayed right between Lyon’s two rivers, making it easy to walk anywhere. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière sits high above the city—less dramatic than some European cathedrals, but the view is unbeatable. We took our time hiking up the hill, stopped for coffee at the top, and sat on a bench doing absolutely nothing for a while.
Then wandered down into Vieux Lyon, the old town. The walls are covered with murals, secret courtyards, and tiles with little poetic messages. As a street photographer, I was in heaven—every corner felt like a story waiting to be framed.
📸 A City Meant for Wandering
Lyon isn’t the kind of city that demands sightseeing. It invites you to roam.
On our first afternoon, we walked without a map, ducking into bakeries, sitting by the river, stopping at a local gallery. The Le Neuvième Art restaurant—two Michelin stars—had caught my eye, but honestly? The experience was underwhelming. The desserts were overly sweet, lacking the balance I’ve come to love in French patisserie.
Instead, we found joy in the simpler meals. One unexpected gem was L’Établi, a local Michelin spot with a €30–50 menu and the kind of thoughtfulness that bigger names often miss.
🎒 Why I Travel Light in Cities Like This
City breaks are where a travel waterproof backpack really proves its worth.
Mine is lightweight, expandable to 20L, and fits everything I need for a weekend: camera, spare lens, windbreaker, a snack or two, and a notebook. I carried it through narrow alleyways, up the Fourvière hill, and around markets without once thinking about the weight.
If you’re chasing light and chasing food, you don’t want your gear slowing you down.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Is Lyon worth visiting? Absolutely—but only if you’re not in a rush. Come with an open appetite and let the city reveal itself through lazy lunches, quiet views, and the pleasure of aimless wandering.
🎒 Backpack featured in this trip:
Travel Waterproof Extend Backpack – 20L Expandable Designed for weekend explorers and photo walkers. Keeps your gear dry, your hands free, and your plans open. Whether you're climbing cathedral steps or browsing cheese stalls—this is the bag that goes wherever you do.
