City Breaks along the Rhône
Step on board the A-ROSA cruise ships and discover the city of Lyon from the river.
With the A-ROSA LUNA and the A-ROSA STELLA you will dock directly in the centre of Lyon during your city trip. You can reach the centre of the city by foot and immediately set off on a stroll down one of the shopping streets.
At first glance
After Paris and Marseille, Lyon is the third-largest city in France. Situated in the Rhône-Alpes region where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, it’s a very popular travel destination. The cobbled streets are proof of the 2,000-year-old history of the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This dynamic university city offers excellent cuisine, first-class shopping opportunities, antiques markets and many interesting museums.
Looking back on Lyon´s history
Lyon was founded by the Romans in 43 BCE as the administrative centre of Gaul under the Celtic name of Lugdunum.
The name of the city transformed linguistically over the centuries and thus has nothing to do with a lion. Large parts of Lyon were destroyed in 725 when it was conquered by Arabian forces. It was only in the 11th century that the city became significant once again when the Roman Catholic church designated it its main seat for Gaul. During the Renaissance, Lyon experienced a development boom once again thanks to the silk trade. In the 19th century, the city became an influential place of industry over the course of the Industrial Revolution and, in the 20th century, became the centre of the French resistance movement during the Second World War.
A-ROSA River Cruises to Lyon
Excursions in Lyon
15 excursions found
Join us on the trail of one of the best chefs of the 20th century. Paul Bocuse was the most important pioneer of nouvelle cuisine and internationally known like hardly any other French gastronome. In the centre of Lyon is the Halles Bocuse, one of the most famous markets in Lyon, where locals also go to enjoy the displays on offer. Feast your way from stall to stall and enjoy the French delicacies. For example, excellent cheese and delicious white wine at Mons, where over 100 different types of cheese are on offer. Of course, the tasting of oysters, French charcuterie (delicatessen meats), chocolate and macarons is not to be missed.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 1,199.00 per Reservation for max. 2 people
- duration:
-
approx. 3 Hours
- transport:
- Private car and walking
- level:
- Moderate
- Hint:
- This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
From our berth in Lyon, we take you to one of the largest city parks in France. The Parc de la Tête d'Or covers almost 120 hectares and is also known as Lyon's green oasis. In addition to a botanical garden, various greenhouses, boat hire facilities and much more, the park also has a zoological garden. Various animals have found their home in this part of the park. For example, giraffes, monkeys, crocodiles and elephants can be observed there. This park offers an adventure for young and old!
Only takes place on the following dates, if the minimum number of participants is reached before departure:
Rhône Route Méditerranée A-ROSA LUNA 19.07. | 02.08. | 16.08.2026
Rhône Route Provence A-ROSA LUNA 12.07. | 26.07. | 09.08. | 23.08. | 11.10.2026
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 39.00 per person
- duration:
-
approx. 3 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Moderate
- Hint:
- This excursion will only take place if the minimum number of participants is reached before departure.
Would you like to experience Lyon’s hustle and bustle? Then get in the saddle and cycle through Lyon! A highlight of this refreshing tour is a stop at the market halls Les Halles, where fresh produce and products for fine Lyon cuisine are on display. Let your eyes wander over the huge Place Bellecour and watch the ever-hungry pigeons. Finally, you will have a view over the whole city from Fourvière Hill.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 49.00
- duration:
-
approx. 3 Hours
- transport:
- depending on the weather, please contact reception in case of rain
- level:
- Sportlich
- route length:
- 10
- Hint:
- Only takes place from March to October.
Lyon offers numerous sights that you will discover on this excursion. We will show you the magnificent Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière with its extraordinary view over the city, the old town with its legendary traboules (small secret passageways), as well as the famous façade paintings on the Presqu’Île, the city’s peninsula. You'll see that hardly any other city is as diverse as Lyon.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 59.00
- duration:
-
approx. 3 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Moderate
Experience a combined city tour and walking tour of Lyon, one of the most historic cities in France. A tour will give you an initial overview before you immerse yourself on foot in the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your tour, you will discover the narrow alleyways of Vieux Lyon and learn fascinating background information about the city's history. You will then visit a traditional silk atelier, where you will learn more about the centuries-old art of silk weaving. This craft and the unique fabrics it produces have made Lyon famous all over the world.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 79.00 per person
- duration:
-
approx. 4 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Moderate
Get straight off the ship and explore the city at your own pace on an e-bike! With electric assistance, you can easily reach the most beautiful sights. Enjoy the freedom to decide where to stop and what to discover—at your own pace. A relaxed excursion full of impressions and exercise!
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 19.00 per person
- duration:
-
approx. 3 Hours
- transport:
- Bicycle
- level:
- Sportlich
Get straight off the ship and explore the city at your own pace on an e-bike! With electric assistance, you can easily reach the most beautiful sights. Enjoy the freedom to decide where to stop and what to discover—at your own pace. A relaxed excursion full of impressions and exercise!
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 39.00 per person
- duration:
-
approx. 3 Hours
- transport:
- Bicycle
- level:
- Sportlich
Would you like to explore the old town privately with a tour guide and enjoy a leisurely walk through the narrow streets of the Presqu’Île, the city’s peninsula? Your guide will show you around and provide lots of valuable insights. After all, Lyon has so much to offer – and that applies to its cuisine too. Find out where to get the best coussins de Lyon – a sweet speciality made in the city – and much more.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 429.00 per Reservation for max. 6 people
- duration:
-
approx. 4 Hours
- transport:
- german tour guide only
- level:
- Moderate
- Hint:
- This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
Lyon is a multifaceted city brimming with cultural and culinary delights. It’s up to you to decide what you want to see: the magnificent Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the old town with its legendary traboules (small secret passageways) or perhaps the famous facade paintings on the Presqu’Île, the city’s peninsula. Your driver will take you wherever you’d like to go – and your personal guide will then show you the city’s hidden treasures. You can book an expert tour guide at the same time if you wish.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 559.00 per Reservation for max. 6 people
- duration:
-
approx. 4 Hours
- transport:
- Private Minivan
- level:
- Easy
- Hint:
- This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
What better way to get to know French cuisine than with a private cooking class? Discover French delicacies up close with us! Near Bellecoure, your expert is waiting for you. Once you arrive at the culinary studio, you will start preparing the dishes and learn about the specialities of French cuisine and how to prepare them. Discover your passion for French cooking and enjoy a delicious meal!
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 1,799.00 per Reservation for max. 7 people
- duration:
-
approx. 2.4 Hours
- transport:
- Private Minivan and walking
- level:
- Easy
- Hint:
- This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
The indoor food market of Lyon is named after Paul Bocuse – and with good reason. This star chef was based in Lyon and so he often shopped here. There are plenty of tasty specialities for you to try here. But France’s second-largest metropolis has a lot more to offer beyond that. Your tour will continue through the old town, where you’ll take in some wonderful sights and up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière with a wonderful view over the city.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 82.00 per person
- duration:
-
approx. 4.5 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Moderate
After a 45-minute drive, you will reach one of the most spectacular places in France: Pérouges. The image of the town, founded in pre-Christian times, is characterised today by medieval buildings. Because of its historical flair, several filmmakers have already shot here. And when you stand on the cobbled village square, you will feel like you are in a medieval film yourself.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 65.00
- duration:
-
approx. 3.5 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Moderate
- Hint:
- This excursion will only take place if the minimum number of participants is reached before departure.
Your guide will be waiting outside the ship to show you how to use your segway. In a small group you will explore the old town of Lyon with its impressive sights and the French lifestyle. After the tour across the peninsula you will return to the ship.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 99.00 per person
- duration:
-
approx. 1.5 Hours
- transport:
- Segway and walking
- level:
- Demanding
Discover the tradition of silk production in Lyon with your family in a playful way. Exciting tasks await our little guests at various stations, showing them how a traditional loom can turn a thread into a decorative silk cloth. The children learn to appreciate the tradition and the old craft.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 49.00
- duration:
-
approx. 3 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Moderate
Experience Lyon in comfort by rickshaw through the city! The UNESCO city with its historic districts, the pretty old town of Vieux Lyon and Place Bellecour regularly enchants visitor after visitor. From the rickshaw, you will experience a Lyon you can touch and be right in the middle of the action, according to your individual wishes.
- port:
- Lyon
- price:
- € 259.00 per Reservation for max. 2 people
- duration:
-
approx. 2 Hours
- transport:
- Rickshaw and walking
- level:
- Easy
- Hint:
- No rain protection.This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
The best Sights and Destinations in Lyon
VIEUX LYON - THE OLD TOWN
This district, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, arose between the foot of the Fourvière hill and the Saône in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Many small shops and excellent restaurants invite passers-by to amble pleasantly through the old alleyways. Another famous sight is the traboules, special alleyways which partially link the streets of the Old Town together with courtyards and passageways on different levels.
TOWN HALL AT PLACE DE TERREAUX
This magnificent building with an impressive Baroque façade originates from the mid-17th century. The building’s interior is adorned by two courtyards; from the rear one, what is known as the ‘staircase of honour’ leads directly into the council chamber, where the city council of Lyon still meets today. The town hall is only open to the public on rare visitor’s days. However, the façade, with its decorated gable windows and an equestrian image of Henry IV as well as the glockenspiel of the 40-metre-high tower, can be admired at any time.
BASILICA OF NOTRE-DAME DE FOURVIÈRE
Towering over Lyon on the summit of the Fourvière hill, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière cannot be overlooked. It is situated directly at the site of the old Trajan’s Forum, where the first Archbishop of Lyon endured his ordeal under the name Saint Pothin. The walls and high ceilings of the interior are richly painted and decorated with many mosaics and gold. When the light shines through the stained glass windows, it illuminates the biblical designs depicted on them. The viewing platform next to the basilica provides a beautiful view over all of Lyon.
PARC DE LA TÊTE D'OR
Near the banks of the Rhône lies the largest city park in France, with lakes, a zoological garden, a rose garden, a botanical garden and an abundance of green areas. Children can enjoy pony rides, a small railway, mini-golf and space to run around. According to the legend, a treasure with a golden head of Jesus Christ is buried in the park, hence the name ‘Park of the Golden Head’. Take note of the large forged entrance portal facing the Rhône, built from 1900-1902. Take in the expansive view of the park through the bars decorated in gold.
AMPHITHEATRES VON FOURVIÈRE
In the Gallo-Roman theatres high up on the Fouvière hill, concerts and theatre performances now take place once again in summer. The smaller theatre, Odeon, and the larger Ancient Theatre form one unit; they were both built around the 2nd century.
OPÉRA DE LYON
The Opéra de Lyon, which was built in 1829, is one of the most important opera houses in France and is situated right next to the city hall. The Théâtre de Soufflot once stood here. In the 1990s, the opera house was almost entirely renovated.
SAINT-JEAN CATHEDRAL
The cathedral, situated at the foot of the Fourvière hill, was built in the 12th and 15th century in a Roman and Gothic style and is the residence of the Archbishop of Lyon. The astronomical clock inside is a particular highlight. As well as the date, it shows the positions of the moon, the sun and the earth and the stars as they rise over Lyon.
La Croix-Rousse
La Croix-Rousse is an old working-class district set on a hill in Lyon, which can be reached from the city hall with a metro in the form of a rack railway. To this day, the district – where mainly weavers used to live – has an unmistakable charm with its crooked alleyways. This quarter is made up of two parts: the slope and the plateau.