One of the thing I always do when going to new places is researching. A LOT. I look for blog entries on Google and Pinterest, read Wikitravel about famous sights and look on Instagram for awesome photo spots.
However, when I went to Lyon this month it was actually a little difficult to find where I absolutely need to take some pictures as there wasn’t so much to find on Instagram.
So, when I arrived I actually didn’t have a real plan where to take pictures. Since I was wandering around on Friday on my own anyway I decided to see this as a challenge and research the most instagrammable places in Lyon myself!
And now, when you go to this awesome french city – you can use this as your guide and snap some stunning photos there! So let’s go!
PLACE DE JACOBINS
The Place de Jacobins is actually my favorite place in Lyon – I think the fountain in the middle is incredibly beautiful and this is the perfect location to start my “most instagrammable places in Lyon” – List! Plus, the Place in Presqu’Île is surrounded by cute cafés and a leisurely shopping area. It’s also less crowded than Vieux Lyon – making it easier to snap a good shot. A perfect place to start into a day exploring Lyon and taking pictures!
MARCHÉ ALIMENTAIRE SAINT-ANTOINE CÉLESTINES
This open air market is a real food market that is patronized by locals and not tourists. Food is rather pricey here – but really tasty! And it’s great if you are into food or lifestyle photography! You could possibly also do a fashion shot here – but I was so busy tasting cheeses that I completely forgot to snap one here
COUR D’APPEL (COURT OF APPEAL)
The Court D’Appel (or the Palace of Justice) is right across from the Saone an marks the beginning to Vieux Lyon. You can’t walk up to take photos between the columns – but you can snap a good Instagram photo from the side as well! And even though I think it is definitely one of the most instagrammable places in Lyon, it isn’t that frequented by tourists!
CATHEDRALE SAINT-JEAN-BAPTISTE
The Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is the prominent and possibly most touristic place in the center of Vieux Lyon. It was currently being renovated from the inside when we visited but the outside is really stunning! Be sure not only to go to the front entrance but to get to the side of the Cathedral as well – you can find the ruins of the old cathedral there – pretty cool!
FONTAINE BARTHOLDI
This awesome fountain is directly in front of the “Hotel de Ville” – the marvelous city hall of Lyon. The horses look incredibly realistic – there is even steam coming from their nostrils! I found that the light around luchtime was totally okay there – although it’s probably even better during golden hour!
EGLISE SAINT GEORGES
This cute gothic church is a little of the main tourist track in Vieux Lyon and thus you can snap some pretty cool pictures without too many other people around! Best time for the most instagrammable picture is in the afternoon – otherwise it might be too shady!
BRIDGE PASSERELLE DU PALAIS DE JUSTICE
This red brigde is for pedestrians only and convientenly connects the food market near Presqu’Île with Vieux Lyon and the Court d’Appel. You can either snap a pretty picture walking across the brigde (beware of many tourists!) or from one of the boats while doing a sightseeing cruise on the Saone! Those cruises are moderately priced (14€) and are approximately 1h long – totally worth it in my opinion! And it gives you a different perspective on some of those most instagrammable places in Lyon!
LA BASILIQUE NOTRE DAME DE FOURVIÈRE
The Basilica Notre Dame de Fouvière is not a big surprise to be found on the list of the most instagrammable places in Lyon – but it’s a well deserved position as a stunning photo location! While walking around Lyon you will see the Basilica almost the whole day high up the hill. To get there, you can simply take one of the cable cars. Best time to go is definitely during golden hour (the photos above where shot during this time) – and it is not as crowded as I expected it to be!
EGLISE DE SAINT-JUST
We actually just stumbled past this little church by accident! Being always super confused, we took the wrong cable car and ended up in Saint Just instead of at the Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière. Thus, we had to walk a few metres and saw this small church building, pressed between normal houses. It’s perfect for some fashion shots as there is literally NO one around (especially no other tourists!)
RUE DU BREST, PRESQU’ÎLE (LE COMPTOIR DE MATHILDE)
Presqu’Île is incredibly beautiful to stroll around and shop anyway – but Rue de Brest particularly has to offer some of the most instagrammable places in Lyon! The credits for finding the particular store on the pic above go to Markus (my better half) though – I think it is super cute!
PASSAGE THIAFFAIT
Lyon is famous for the “Traboules” – ancient little passages that connect streets since the time of silk trading. Most of the Traboules are closed to the public – but some of them are open. Passage Thiaffait is one that is particularly pretty in my opinion. My tip: Go there slightly before sunset and watch the sun go down from top of Jardin de L’esplanade like the local youths do after snapping your Instagram pictures in the passage!
STREETS OF VIEUX LYON
