Lyon

Lyon famous for world class cuisine, wine and the friendly gay atmosphere. 

City Overview

Lyon is a medieval metropolis for art, food, design and shopping where queer people are embraced as a natural part of society.

The city offers world-class museums, haute couture fashion, iconic UNESCO-listed architecture, fine dining, and an utterly intoxicating atmosphere will give tourists more than enough reason to visit Lyon whether it’s for a night, a weekend or longer.

Lyon is the foodie capital of France have been recognized for some of the best French food in France. The local restaurants pride themselves on this repetition and generally produce excellent meals at reasonable cost considering the quality.

France as a traditionally liberal country that legalized same-sex activity in 1791 during the French Revolution and gay marriage in 2013, the country is frequently named one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world.

Gay travellers to Lyon need not take any more extra precautions than they would in any other Western European capital, especially in the gay area, in the north end of Presquile between Place des Terreaux and Cordeliers.

As a result of the relaxed attitudes, Lyon offers a broad and well-established LGBTQ presence with relaxed gay bars, busy saunas, and cruisy clubbing.

Getting Around

The best way to get around the centre is often on foot. Visitors can purchase the Lyon City Card (available in 1, 2 or 3 day versions) to have unlimited use of the public transport network as well as major attractions.

Airport Transfer

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) is approximately 25 km from the city centre.

Rhonexpress, a tramway connection runs from Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV station, located just 2 minutes from Terminals 1 and 2, of the airport to Lyon city centre in 30 minutes. A tram runs every 15 to 30 minutes and is an ecological and responsible means of transport.

Several bus lines run from Lyon Airport, enabling you to reach the city centre but may be affected by traffic conditions.

Places to stay

Lyon is a city of variety, with different neighbourhoods having their own distinctive character, so your choice of where to stay will depend on the experience you want.

Many of the hotels are also clustered in the centre, particularly in Vieux Lyon and La Presqu’île which is location of LGBTQ neighbourhood.

La Presquile is the city centre, located on the narrow peninsula between the Rhone and Saone rivers.

Sightseeing

Lyon is known for the cities excellent French Gastronomy so exploring and tasting local foods as the food markets after breakfast can be a fun way to spend a morning.

The city has a river so look out for the lunch cruises aboard a restaurant boat for a 2.5-hour cruise whilst indulging in a 3-course gourmet meal as you discover Lyon’s majestic landscapes and listen to the guides commentary.

The city in addition offers world-class museums, haute couture fashion, iconic UNESCO-listed architecture and fine dining.

Bars, Clubs & Parties

Lyon is an under-the-radar gay destinations in Europe and relaxed and comparatively low-priced city to visit compared to Paris.

The queer nightlife scene here to be more relaxed with less attitude than other cities

Most bars and clubs often don’t kick off till late here, but there are plenty of cute cocktail spots and welcoming terraces to relax in until then.

Le Broc Bar is a welcoming-to-all bar with a large terrace perfect for coffee by day and cocktails at night. Relax with an afternoon aperitif in the shade of the wild mulberry tree in summer or in winter. Warm yourself under the heat lamps or indoors. The staff are incredibly welcoming, and the vibes are relaxed, making Le Broc Bar the perfect place to start any night off.

La Chapelle Café is not officially gay, but easily one of the most fashionable bars in Lyon at the moment. Gay and straights alike flock here for the sublime views across to the Fourvière hill and to relax on the huge terrace in the fading afternoon sun.

La Chupa Bar is a cute gay bar with shiny disco-chic and seventies-style décor and sidewalk tables for enjoying cocktails,

L’Étoile Opéra is an upscale gay cocktail bar and lounge serving enchanting drinks and delicious tapas. Popular with tourists and locals alike thanks to their creative Bohemian design inside and relaxed terrace seating on a pedestrian street outside.

La Ruche has been open over 25 years and is the oldest LGBTQ bar in Lyon. A great friendly place for a drink with friends, lovers, or alone. The bartenders are very friendly yet wonderfully cheeky.

United Café is a funky gay nightclub in the centre of Lyon with a  dance floor and DJs pumping out a mixture of house, pop, and club anthems. There are regular drag, karaoke and themed parties. Service can be slow but the cave-like atmosphere and local patrons make it a nice club open every night with entry charge.

XS Bar as the name implies is an extra-small gay bar but with large reputation thanks to the humour of the owner Fred and fun theme nights. Affordable drinks with a diverse queer crowd, and local vibes always ensure XS is a good choice.

Fetish Bar\Cruise Club

Le Trou which translated as ‘The Hole’ is a gay cruising club. Hosting various themed nights such as Naked, BlackOut, and Jockstrap / Underwear. Busy at weekends despite the steep prices and that alcohol is not served.

Onyx is an open-minded BDSM place for all people sharing the desire for freedom. Exchanging, meeting, chatting over a drink, and dancing with nothing compulsory. You can have fun depending on your mood in a safe and non-judgmental space. They hold different themed nights such as fetish, underwear, nude, gothic or freaks.

Saunas

DoubleSide is a modern and clean gay sauna to give free rein to your desires.

Facilities include a friendly bar, a welcoming video lounge, locker rooms secured by code, cabins equipped with a dimmer to obtain the desired light, light therapy to enhance the atmosphere, air conditioning, glory holes and a sling.

Open seven days a week with a Wednesday naturist evening, Thursday youth night, and popular Bears Day on the third Saturday of the month until 4 pm. Californian massages are available Mondays and Fridays.

Oasis Club Sauna is a 300 m² sauna with cloakroom, smoking cabin, bar, showers, jacuzzi, hammam, dry sauna, cuddly corners with many booths, glory hole, sling, video room, and more all at your disposal. No particularly modern but typically clean. Oasis Club also hosts trans and mixed nights.

Main LGBT Events

Tigaly is the Lyon gay sports weekend held over Easter every second year in which 1,000 participants across seven sports are featured. Badminton, Football, Handball, Running, Swimming, Squash and Volleyball are the sports with teams from France and abroad. Even if you are not competing in the games, you can support one of the teams or visit to explore Lyon at the same time to watch some of the games and enjoy the city.

Fierté is Lyons annual gay pride festival, and the second-biggest in France after Paris. This is a week-long party celebrating the role of the LGBTQ community in making Lyon what it is today. Held annual in Pride month in June with the highlights being the massive street parties, club events and a vibrant parade.

Other

Currency – Euro (EUR)

Language – French

Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe

Best Time To Visit – February - September

Timezone – European Mean Time (GMT +1)

Homosexual Activity – Legal