Situated at the very heart of Europe, Lyon is an exceptional tourist destination, elegantly blending its rich architectural heritage with bold, new contemporary projects.. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city attracts travellers from all over the world and was ranked as France's top city to visit by the New York Times in 2019. What's more, it was recently voted Europe's 2nd best city destination by the World Travel Awards in 2021.
With its many museums, theatres and festivals, Lyon offers visitors an unforgettable cultural experience.
However, Lyon does not only stand out due to its illustrious past; it is also a model of sustainability. As the European capital of smart tourism and a national leader in responsible tourism, Lyon is recognized for its commitment to more ethical and environmentally friendly tourism. In 2025, it was ranked first in France and 8th worldwide by the GDS-Index, an international benchmark for sustainable tourism.. Lyon was also ranked as one of the world's most liveable cities by The Economist - The Global Liveability Index 2022, and stands out as a pioneer in France with its self-service bike initiative, Vélo'v.
As such, Lyon embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, offering all its visitors an authentic and sustainable tourist experience.
2nd in the "Best Big Cities in the world" ranking
2020 Condé Nast Traveler rankings
The world's leading emerging tourist destination for 2022
World Travel Awards 2021
8th-ranked city among worldwide destinations working towards more sustainable tourism
Global Destination Sustainability Index 2025

