For you, holidays mean exploration and freedom. All that’s left is to plan your sightseeing itinerary around Lyon. To help you discover Lyon and its surroundings, the Barolles campsite has put together a guide to the must-see places around Lyon.
What to visit around Lyon: explore the city and its surroundings
Before setting off to discover the surrounding area, start your exploration with Lyon itself — a city that tops the list when wondering what to visit around Lyon. Known as the City of Lights, Lyon offers a rich historical and cultural heritage at every corner. One of the most iconic landmarks to see is undoubtedly the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which overlooks the city. This historic monument takes you back through Lyon’s past while offering breathtaking views over the city and beyond.
Continue your discovery by strolling through Vieux Lyon, famous for its traboules and picturesque alleyways that reflect the city’s historic architecture. For nature lovers, a visit to Parc de la Tête d’Or is a must. Spanning 105 hectares, it’s the largest urban park in France — perfect for a nature break with a lake, gardens, playgrounds, picnic areas, and even a free zoo.
If the weather isn’t on your side, Lyon has plenty of museums to explore. Among the must-sees:
- The Musée des Confluences, dedicated to natural history and science
- The Cinema and Miniature Museum, a treat for movie fans
- The Museum of Contemporary Art of Lyon, for modern art enthusiasts
- The Lumière Museum, tracing the history of cinema
- The Printing Museum of Lyon, perfect for those curious about history and technology
For an unforgettable evening, don’t miss a stroll along the Rhône and Saône riverbanks, where you can soak up the lively atmosphere of the bar-peniches — ideal for a night out.
Visit the Rhône department
If you’d like to venture beyond the city, there’s plenty to discover around Lyon in the Rhône department.
Start your journey with a getaway to the Pilat Regional Natural Park, located near Lyon. This natural park is a true gem for outdoor lovers, offering numerous hiking trails and breathtaking viewpoints over the region. Whether you visit in summer or winter, it’s a perfect destination for those looking for what to visit around Lyon while enjoying nature and wide open spaces.
Continue your trip around Lyon with a stop in Chaponost. This village is known for the Aqueduct of Gier, an impressive remnant of Roman civilization that will delight history enthusiasts.
For a more peaceful experience, make a stop in Belleville-en-Beaujolais and admire the Notre-Dame de Belleville Abbey Church. This 12th-century Catholic church is surrounded by greenery, offering a serene setting to dive into the religious history of the region.
Finally, if you’re a wine lover and enjoy scenic landscapes, be sure to extend your visit around Lyon to the Beaujolais region. Located in the northeast of the department, this area is famous for its vineyards, charming villages, and a wide range of activities. It’s the ideal place to combine cultural discovery and culinary delights.
What to visit around Lyon: discover the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
And if you’re looking to explore even more landscapes, here’s a roundup of must-see places in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Visit the Ain department
You can begin your trip to Ain with a stop in the city of Bourg-en-Bresse. There, you can admire the Royal Monastery of Brou, full of Gothic architectural details from the 16th century. You’ll also find Renaissance buildings and structures from the 1500s, offering a real journey back in time.
Next, head to Pérouges. This village is listed among the most beautiful in France and features a medieval town that lets you step into the spirit of times past.
To finish your visit to Ain, follow the Bugey Wine Route — a scenic tourist road winding through landscapes rich in architecture, culture, and nature. It’s a great way to discover typical small villages, historic sites, and breathtaking views — ideal for those wondering what to visit around Lyon off the beaten track.
Explore the Allier department
To continue your journey through Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, we recommend making a stop in the Allier department.
Here, you’ll find landscapes dotted with medieval fortresses, old towers, and castles — and many of them are open for visits. Explore the Château of the Dukes of Bourbon, the Hérisson Fortress, Montaigu-le-Blin Castle, and the Fortress of Billy.
You can also enjoy excursions in the various towns of the department. For a festive medieval town, head to Montluçon, and for a city rich in art and history, visit Moulins. And don’t miss Vichy — the famous queen of spa towns.
Allier also holds some surprises, such as the marble-ball clock in Lavoine, the “house of the colors of time,” or the incredible open-air art museum Street Art City.
Take a trip to Ardèche
In the Ardèche department, you can visit the Païolive Forest, also known as the Fairy Wood. Discover striking limestone rock formations like the Elephant, or the Bear and the Lion.
And of course, no mention of Ardèche is complete without the Gorges de l’Ardèche. This 32-kilometer-long canyon features stunning landscapes and gives access to several caves, such as the Grotte de la Madeleine and the Grotte de Saint-Marcel.
Visit the Cantal department
Begin your visit with the Cantal volcano and the summit of Puy Mary, then continue to Chaudes-Aigues, where you’ll find the hottest natural springs in Europe.
Take a trip through the medieval village of Salers, the historic center of Aurillac, the village and castle of Tournemire, and the town of Saint-Flour.
You can also admire the Garabit Viaduct, built by Gustave Eiffel’s company. We especially recommend seeing it at night, when it’s beautifully lit up.
Discover the Drôme
Start your visit to the Drôme in the south, in the Baronnies Provençales Regional Natural Park. This area offers unique panoramas combining mountains, lavender fields, and olive trees.
Continue your journey with a visit to the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval — a whimsical site built with no architectural rules, which will fascinate you with its beauty and unusual story.
Before leaving the department, don’t miss the charming town of Montélimar, famous for its nougat.
Excursion in Isère
The Isère department offers spectacular scenic routes and numerous hikes with stunning views. Many lookout points are also easily accessible.
You can explore the four iconic mountain ranges that surround Grenoble:
- The Vercors, perfect for hiking
- The Taillefer, with its lakes
- Belledonne, with varied elevations
- The Chartreuse, home to the famous Grande Chartreuse Monastery — a peaceful retreat nestled in the mountains
Each of these ranges offers a wide variety of cultural and outdoor activities. In winter: snowshoeing and skiing. In summer: climbing and canyoning.
For a breathtaking view of Grenoble, take the cable car up to the Fort de la Bastille viewpoint.
And if you’re looking for a break from sightseeing, consider a fun stop at the Walibi amusement park.
Visit the Loire and Haute-Loire
Start your visit in the city of Saint-Étienne and its Museum of Modern Art.
Then head to the Gorges of the Loire and Lake Grangent, where wild, lush nature awaits.
Be sure to stop by the city of Roanne to discover its culinary culture.
Discover Savoie and Haute-Savoie
Here, you can visit the Vanoise National Park, home to rich and well-preserved flora and fauna.
If you’re looking to relax, head to Aix-les-Bains, Thonon-les-Bains, Évian-les-Bains or Yvoire — all perfect for a wellness break. You can enjoy thermal springs and lakes such as Lake Bourget and Lake Geneva.
Don’t miss Annecy, known for its beautiful lake, parks, and flower-filled streets.
And of course, you can experience the Mont-Blanc Massif and its ski resorts, offering spectacular landscapes year-round.
Where to stay to visit Lyon and the towns around it
To make the most of the many activities and stunning landscapes around Lyon, it’s essential to plan some well-deserved rest. And what better way to unwind than at a campsite near Lyon?
Open all year round, Camping des Barolles is the perfect place to discover Lyon and its surroundings, whether in winter or summer. The campsite offers pitches with water and electricity, plus free Wi-Fi throughout your stay — ensuring maximum comfort after a full day of exploring around Lyon.
Located in Saint-Genis-Laval, this campsite enjoys a strategic location, allowing you to visit Lyon itself as well as venture out to explore the surrounding areas. After a day spent discovering the Isère or Drôme departments, you can return each evening to the campsite to relax and get ready for another day of adventure around Lyon.