Want to celebrate the French national day in Lyon with friends or family, but don’t know what to do? From the most traditional ones to the most original, I’ve selected activities to do on July 14th for every taste and every age.
Go see the fireworks
What better way to celebrate the 14th of July than to see the traditional fireworks.
The fireworks are launched from the Fourvière Basilica and visible in all of the city, though the best places to watch it are the Place Bellecour, the Rhone quays, or the Saone quays.
If you prefer a quieter place, you can enjoy the fireworks from the Chartreux garden or the Grande Côte one. In the greenery, they both offer a stunning panorama of the Fourvière basilica.
Price: free
What we like:
- The theme changes every year.
- Whether you like crowds or not, you will find a place to your liking to see the fireworks.
Go to the Firemen’s ball
If you want to party, come to one of the firemen’s balls organized by Lyon’s stations between July 14th and 15th.
You’ll find:
- The Lyon Confluence station (10 rue Smith, 69002 Lyon)
- The Pierre Corneille station (78 rue Pierre Corneille, 69003 Lyon)
- The Croix-Rousse station (120 rue Philippe de Lassalle, 69004 Lyon)
- The Madeleine station (3 rue de la Madeleine, 69007 Lyon)
- The Lyon-Gerland station (19 avenue Debourg, 69007 Lyon)
Whichever ball you choose, come have a good time in one of these stations and enjoy a meal, music, and activities.
Price: From €10
What we like:
- The atmosphere
- Each ball has its own program so you can choose the one you prefer
- More information (in French)
Attend the military parade and the ceremony
In the morning of July 14th, from 10:30 am, you will be able to attend a military ceremony in the Place Bellecour.
As soon as 9 am, you will be able to meet the various army corps present for the event.
After the parade, from 11:45 am to 2:30 pm, activities presenting the different missions of the French Army and their equipment will be available.
Price: free
What we like:
- The possibility to meet the armies
- An impressive parade less crowded than Paris’
More information (in French)
Go to the popular balls of the metropolis
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If the popular balls organized by the city of Lyon itself on the Saone quays won’t take place, come enjoy the balls organized by the cities of the metropolis.
You will find one to your liking, whether you prefer the natural environment of the Ecully park, the Bron’s guiguette,(a kind of old-fashioned open-air bar), or Saint-Foy-Lès-Lyon’s show.
You’ll find:
Planned shows, concerts, and fireworks from 10:30 pm.
Price: free
What we like:
- The popular balls’ festive and relaxed atmosphere
- Each ball has its own setting, activities, and fireworks
Participate in the activities organized in the Vaise district
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For the 14th of July, the Vaise district organizes activities for everyone from 5 pm in the market square and the Valmy square.
Both children and adults will find something to do with activities going from sports challenges to blind tests and wooden games.
A catering service is run by the district’s restaurant owners in partnership with the event.
From 8 pm, an 80’s concert will take place.
Then around 10:30 pm, you will be able to see the Fourvière fireworks from Vaise.
Price: free
What we like:
- There are activities for everyone
- The view of the fireworks
More information (in French)
Go to the Fêtes Escales festival in Vénissieux
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The city of Vénissieux, in the Lyon metropolis, organizes the Fêtes Escales festival in the Louis Dupic Park every year around the 14th of July.
For three days, you will be able to participate in various festive activities, such as street art or concerts. Everyone will find something to their liking from the Lyon opera to hip-hop battles and ethnic music bands.
The festival starts with the traditional republican picnic, an event to celebrate the national day. From midday until evening, you will be able to enjoy a family meal and activities, such as musical fairytales, a dictation, and an electro concert.
Price: free
What we like:
- The diversity of the activities provided
- Discovering new groups and new music styles
More information (in French)
Do a dinner cruise on the Rhone
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Girardot Voyages offers a dinner cruise on the Rhone for the national day.
Go to Chalon, in the North of Lyon, at 5:30 pm to board the Hermes boat. You will both enjoy a gastronomic meal and discover Lyon’s landmarks from the Rhone.
The fireworks are the peak of the night, and you will be able to see them while enjoying dinner.
Price: From €100
What we like:
- Discovering Lyon’s landmarks from the Rhone
- A unique and more intimate experience of the fireworks
More information (in French)
Visit the Confluences Museum
The Confluence Museum opens on July 14th for you to enjoy the temporary exhibitions or the permanent collection about humanity. Activities and workshops are offered for children.
It is the perfect family visit as both young and old alike can find something interesting.
Price: €12 for adults
Free for children and students
What we like:
- There are activities for all ages and all likings
- A beautiful view of the city from the balcony
Visit the Fourvière Basilica
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Don’t miss the Fourvière Basilica for a cultural tour of the city with friends or family. Whether you discover it during the day or the night, you will be surprised by this majestic basilica.
Perched on the Fourvière hill, this symbol of Lyon also offers a panoramic view of the city.
Price: free
What we like:
- A stunning view of the city
- The tour is self-guided so you can visit at your own pace
Visit Lyon’s aquarium
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If you are looking for something to do with your family, and especially children, come to the aquarium for an enthralling visit. You will be able to discover around 300 species and their ecosystems.
Activities, presentations, and games for everyone are organized to enliven the visit.
Find, for example, the commented sharks feeding, which is the main attraction of the aquarium.
Price:
- €18 for adults
- €14 for children between 5 and 10
- €8 for children under 4
What we like:
- Perfect for families and children
- The educational activities
Information and bookings (in French)
Do a food tour of Vieux Lyon
What better way to discover the capital of gastronomy, its history, and gastronomic surprises than do a food tour in the Vieux Lyon, the city’s oldest district.
Spend the afternoon discovering the culinary heritage of Lyon for a foodie experience.
You will discover the secrets of four emblematic places.
You will enjoy delicious dishes, from a cold meat platter to a praline tart.
Price: €65
What we like:
- Meeting the producers
- Discovering the local gastronomy
Information and bookings (in French)
Go to the Tête d’Or park
If the weather is good, you can go for a walk in the Tête d’Or park, one of the biggest parks of France on the banks of the Rhone.
You’ll find there a recreational and leisure area, a botanical and zoological garden, and a rose garden.
You’ll be sure to have a good time, whether you are with family or friends.
Price: free entry
Tours of the park by electric bikes or segways are also organized for initiation to these means of transportation.
For the segways:
Price: €54
Information and bookings (in French)
For the electric bikes:
Price: €30
Information and bookings (in French)
What we like:
- Enjoying nature and the various areas of the park
- Calm and large paths that are ideal to go for a walk or cycle
Visit Lyon by kayak
To discover Lyon differently, you can visit the city by kayak.
The visit starts from the Koening bridge on the Saone. From there, you will discover unique places and a new point of view of the emblematic places and their history.
In groups of 2 to 8 people, board for a guided tour that is original, calm, and athletic at the same time.
Price: €70
What we like:
- A unique visit for groups
- A cultural and athletic activity
Information and bookings (in French)
Do an urban rally in Lyon
Make the most of the national day to discover Lyon in a funny and original way with your friends or family.
In groups of up to 32 people, two types of treasure hunts are available. The first is the discovery option where you need to find beacons and take photos of landmarks to solve a riddle. The other is the challenge option which adds a time limit.
The activity is self-guided, so you are free to play whenever you want.
Price: €39 for the discovery rally
Price: €79 for the challenge rally
What we like:
- The activity is flexible
- A fun way to discover the city
Information and bookings (in French)
Try Archery Tag
For July 14th, come discover Archery Tag, a sport combining archery and dodgeball.
You’ll start with an introduction to archery and training, then you will start to play.
This athletic activity is available for everyone and is perfect for having fun with your family or friends.
Price: €200 for a group of 4 to 10 players for 1 hour
What we like:
- An original athletic activity to have fun in a group.
- Various play modes are available depending on the level, how you prefer playing, and your age.
Information and bookings (in French)
Do an Outdoor Escape Game
Why don’t you try your luck with this outdoor escape game?
Pick up the challenge with your family and friends and try to solve the riddle in 1 hour in the stunning setting of the Hotel Dieu and its gardens, a historic building on the Lyon peninsula.
Price: €18
What we like:
- Fun visit to the Hotel Dieu
- A strategic and friendly activity to do in groups
Information and bookings (in French)
Do an Indoor Escape Game
The main goal is to escape the room where you are locked within the allocated time.
“The prison of Blue Castle” will immerse you in the atmosphere of XX century prisons and promises a unique experience and intense emotions.
Price: €76 for two people
What we like:
- The immersion in a historic and sensational atmosphere
- A strategic and cooperative activity
Information and bookings (in French)
Do a historical treasure hunt
Come discover the Gallo-Roman past of Lyon with your family and participate in the treasure hunt “the quest to Lugdunum” in the heart of the Gallo-Roman ruins of Lyon.
Try to solve the riddle in 2 hours and 30 minutes while discovering an unknown heritage of Lyon, from the Great Theatre to the thermae.
Price: €360 for a group of 1 to 10 people
What we like:
- Discovering historical places in a fun way
- Perfect to do with friends and family
Information and bookings (in French)
Go to a karaoke
For a festive and friendly afternoon or evening with friends, come to the Karaoke Box for a 2 hour private karaoke session.
Choose from a large catalog of songs of various styles and have fun.
Your group must have at least 5 people and at most 12.
Price: From €10
What we like:
- Friendly atmosphere
- Flexible schedule
Information and bookings (in French)
Do a blind test
To celebrate the French national day, let yourself be tempted by a blind test. In a decor inspired by TV shows, you will have an hour to guess as many songs as you can and gain the most points.
Price:
- €25 per player for a group of up to 6 people
- €22 per player for a group of more than 6 people
What we like:
- The decor and atmosphere
- We can choose the music style and the language we prefer
Information and bookings (in French)
Do a quiz
Come to the quiz room with your loved ones to test your general and popular knowledge.
You will have three rounds to gather as many points as possible by answering questions about 6 diverse themes, such as port or music.
You can even add up to 10 questions to the game.
Price:
- €26 per player for a group of up to 6 people
- €23 for up to 18 people
- €20 for up to 54 people
What we like:
- The game and friendly atmosphere
- There are questions for all levels and the questions can be adapted to the difficulty we want
Information and bookings (in French)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
