Paris vs Lyon: Which French City Is Better & You Should Visit?

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I have been to Paris so many times I have lost count, I have done Disney Land Paris, Paris for the day, Paris with friends and just Paris more recently for Fête de la Musique (I am currently drafting blog post, I promise). I recently did Lyon for just one night last year and I actually loved it.

I think by now you can see that I am writing a post/guide on my views between Paris vs Lyon right?

In the past have also spent time in Bordeaux, Lille and the South of France, so I feel like I have a decent picture of what France has to offer beyond the obvious. When I was recently asked which do I prefer and which one would I go out of Paris or Lyon, I really had to stop in my tracks and think about it. I made some notes and now I am using those notes (with a few extras) to write a Paris vs Lyon guide.

Here is my proper breakdown of what I think is better between the two with my insight on the vibe, food of course budget and culture. I have also thrown in a section on the Paris, Lyon distance between them how to get the train or drive there tooo.

You can also read guides for both Paris or Lyon below:

• Paris – A Paris Travel Guide: Two Amazing Days in Paris What to Eat, See and Do
• Lyon – 24 Hours in Lyon France: What To Eat, Do and More

I will also be writing about my upcoming trip for Fête de la Musique in Paris shortly so stay tuned and subscribe to be notified.

Key Things to Know Before Going to either Paris or Lyon

• Internet: You’ll definitely want internet while exploring the city. I usually use **Airalo for an eSIM**, which allow you to get mobile data as soon as you land.
• Travel Insurance: I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
• Payments: Most places in Amsterdam accept card payments, so you rarely need to carry much cash.
• The British Embassy: The Embassy is in Paris. Here is the address: 35 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris. You can always check your countries Embassy on Embassies.info. You should always do this before you travel.

The Vibe: Paris vs Lyon

Now I absolute adore (j’adore) Paris it is truly a spectacle. It’s why I am learning French and have gone so often. I love walking along the Seine, catching the Eiffel Tower glittering on the hour and who doesn’t like escargots and frites (more on food in Paris vs Lyon later hehe).

For me Paris has this complete transformative auro to it. There is just nowhere else on earth quite like it. However, I do also think that Paris sometimes can be a overhyped and a little performative at times. I mean like everyone goes to Paris. Like I’m sure if you are reading this now you are agreeing that you have been to Paris or at least you know someone that has also been to Paris at least once in their lives. I have been more than 6 times already and I know I will be going back again too.

Lyon on the other hand for me felt like the France that actually exists when the tourists are not looking. It is a proper working city, lived in, and time does feel a bit slower. I mean I did go in November so maybe that was during the low season, but Lyon has the food markets, the old town, the Vieux-Lyon, and is genuinely a beautiful city.

I love the vibe for both but if you have grown up in the bit capital a city like me then Lyon might be the perfect choice if you want some quite and a slower pace vibe.

Paris vs Lyon: If you want that iconic, bucket-list, nothing else compares experience, then you have to go to Paris. And if you want to feel like you are actually living in France rather than visiting it then you just have to go to Lyon.

The Food: Paris vs Lyon

Look, both Paris and Lyon have good food for me. I love French food and Paris does have incredible food, but Lyon is actually known for being the gastronomic capital of France. Some may argue with this but it’s actually a fact. Read more here – Lyon: The Beating Heart of French Gastronomy

The Bouchons are a BIG thing in Lyon and I went out on a Saturday trying to go to the most popular ones and all of them where completely full!

What are Bouchons you may ask? Well these are small, traditional Lyonnaise restaurants serving rich authentic food. In theses restaurants you can try traditional quenelles, andouillette, cervelle de canut, tarte aux pralines all of which as just amazing.

In Paris, eating well requires research and I would say my blog, Tiktok and Instagram are quite good places to find good restaurants. You first need to know which arrondissement you are in, which bistros are still good versus which ones have coasted on reputation for a decade. In Lyon, you can wander into almost any bouchon in the Vieux-Lyon and have a genuinely memorable meal.

Paris vs Lyon: If you want the full range Michelin stars, patisseries, Vietnamese, Fast-food, Japanese, everything and anything then please head out to Paris. If you are a foodie and want a French food experience then head out to Lyon.

Budget: Paris vs Lyon Is Noticeably Cheaper

Out of Paris and Lyon, Paris is obviously going to be the more expensive to Lyon. The hotels, restaurants, transport, entry fees, not to mention all the viral spots we see on social media are so much more expensive in paris. So you will need to factor that in and budget.

Lyon on the other hand, is so much more relaxed on your pocket. A full dinner at a bouchon with wine will cost you considerably less than an equivalent meal in Paris. I felt like at the time I went that the hotels were relatively cheaper too and the city is very walkable which reduces transport costs as opposed to when you are in Paris. If you are travelling for more than a few days, the difference between Paris or Lyon will add up very quickly.

Paris vs Lyon: If budget is not a constraint and Paris is for a special occasion then you need to go to Paris or Lyon, if you are looking for great value for money without compromising on quality. Either way you will enjoy both cities.

If you are looking for hotels I would highly recommend Booking.com or Expedia for your options I have used both for Paris and Lyon. In terms of where you stay, you could easily stay in Lyon or Paris and do day trips to different cities/places from each city, which I will explain in the next section.

Day Trips: Paris vs Lyon

Again both cities are great hubs to have a day trip from. For example, from Paris you can reach the Palace of Versailles in under an hour, the champagne region in about an hour and a half, Mont Saint-Michel on a long day trip, and Giverny (Monet’s garden) in just over an hour. It is an excellent hub for northern France.

From Lyon the day trip options are genuinely spectacular if you know them. If you are into wine then Beaujolais wine country is right on your doorstep. The medieval village of Pérouges is half an hour away and looks like a film set. The Ardèche gorgers and is reachable in under two hours. And Lyon sits on the route south towards Provence and the Côte d’Azur, so it works brilliantly as a stop on a longer trip.

Getting Between The Two Cities: Paris Lyon by Train

The Paris, Lyon distance is around 465km apart, which sounds like a lot until you factor in the TGV (France’s high-speed train system). The Paris to Lyon train takes just under two hours, making the Paris, Lyon train not only an easy option, but one of the most satisfying rail journeys in Europe and honestly one of the easiest city combinations you can do.

If you are seriously considering it you can depart from Paris Gare de Lyon and arrive into Lyon Part-Dieu, right in the centre. Trains run frequently throughout the day so you are not tied to one specific departure time.

Ticket prices vary depending on how far in advance you book, ofc early bookings on the SNCF website can be as low as €20-30 each way, while last minute will cost you more within the €60-80, so it is worth booking ahead if your dates are fixed.

If you are driving, from Paris to Lyon or vice versa then then the journey is around 4.5 hours via the A6 motorway, so super doable, but I would much rather to Paris to Lyon by train. Trains are faster, cheaper than petrol, and you arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, which can also be a pain depending where you and not to mention parking tickets etc.

My honest advise: If you are travelling into France and want to do both Paris, Lyon then I would recommend flying into Paris first, spend a few days, then take the train down to Lyon before heading further south. It is one of the best ways to see France properly.

So Which City Should You Visit? Paris or Lyon

More Travel Tools & Resources for Paris or Lyon

• My Instagram and TikTok have quick snap videos on the specifics of my visit to Paris or Lyon and DM me if you have any questions about your trip.
• Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
• Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Paris or Lyon. Please read the reviews before booking!
• Get travel insurance, I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
• I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279 for a discount.

Conclusion – Paris vs Lyon

Personally for me whether its Paris or Lyon they are both amazing destinations for the reasons I have just laid out to you. Lyon surprised me when I went more than it should have, which probably says something. I went in with relatively low expectations and came away thinking I had found one of the most underrated cities in Europe. And as flights are very affordable from London I think Lyon will be a place I will return again and again. Paris, on the other hand I will always love unconditionally, but Lyon felt like a discovery.

Either way, you are going to be eating well in both cities.

Which one have you been to Paris or Lyon? Or have you been to both? I would love to know which one you preferred, drop a comment below. And as always please do take the time to subscribe to the blog.

Speak soon,

MBV x