5 Best Views and Viewpoints of Lyon

The Fourvière Basilica terrace puts you above a stunning historic site from the observation deck of a basilica called the St Michael terrace. The entire city of Lyon is considered a World Heritage site, so you'll be looking down on well-preserved history during your visit.

Keep in mind that it costs an entry fee to get into this observation deck unless you have the Lyon City Card. In that case, access is already included and you're free to visit. You'll find it all just west of the city centre by Saint-Georges.

Jardin des Curiosités is a park and garden area situated on an elevated overlook that allows visitors to gaze out into the city with panoramic perspectives. The garden sits at an elevation of 232 metres, so the view is much longer than you might think.

Given the popularity of this viewpoint, stone walls were built around the park's perimeter for safety reasons. Of course, they're not high enough to block your vienorthw, and they're situated a bit downwards from the highest point, so the centre of the park still features uninterrupted views. It's located in the 5th arrondissement on the west side of the Saone and north of Pont Kitchener-Marchand.

The Celest Bar at Radisson Hotel is an iconic viewpoint in Lyon from which you can take in a panoramic view of the city while enjoying a delicious cocktail and food. Located on the 32nd floor, the perspective here allows you to see out for miles through the bar's massive windows.

The bar and restaurant itself has an impressive selection of items on offer, too, including imaginative cocktails and modern cuisine. The seafood is a popular favourite. You'll find it all in Part-Dieu Tower, which is east of the city centre in La Part-Dieu.

Jardin des Chartreux - Clos St Benoît is a notable garden with 3 distinct terraces along a slope that offers a place to relax and take in stellar views. In addition to the photo opportunities, this park is also home to rare plant species like the osage orange tree and the pendula beech.

The garden is covered with well-kept walking paths, so visitors may explore a variety of different perspectives within its borders. Check it all out for yourself north-west of the city centre on the northern banks of the Saone in Les Chartreux.

Place Rouville is a relatively unremarkable place unless you happen to be looking in the right direction to see a surprisingly scenic viewpoint. This location is largely just an unassuming street, but if you look to the south, you'll see well past the Soane into the city below and above on the distant hill.

Near the southern part of this street, there is a small observation point to visit as well if you want some uninterrupted photos of the viewpoint. Still, it's often more impactful to take in this viewpoint on the street immersed in the city rather than in some designated space. It's located in the 1st arrondissement just north of the Saone.