River Lunch Cruise in Lyon (2.5 Hours)

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DurationAbout 2.5 hours
Daily
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Overview

This Lyon lunch cruise combines a relaxed three-course meal with a sightseeing trip on both of the city's rivers. You board at 12:30 on the left bank of the Rhône in the 7th arrondissement and take your table in a bright panoramic dining room with large windows. For about two and a half hours the boat follows the Rhône past the grand quays of the Presqu'île, rounds the Confluence where the two rivers meet, then heads up the calmer Saône towards Vieux Lyon and Fourvière hill. An onboard host looks after you and an English commentary booklet explains the sights. This is a shared restaurant cruise, ideal for couples, families, older travellers and anyone who prefers seeing Lyon at a gentle pace.

Highlights

Three-course lunch served at your table in a bright panoramic dining room
Cruise on both of Lyon's rivers, the Rhône and the Saône
Pass the meeting point of the rivers at the modern Confluence district
Daylight views of Vieux Lyon, the cathedral and Fourvière basilica
About 2.5 hours on the water from 12:30, an easy way to rest during a busy trip
Onboard host and English commentary booklet
Heated, enclosed dining room for comfort in every season

Full Description

The Rhône Quays and the Grand Hôtel-Dieu

The Rhône is the wider and faster of Lyon's rivers, flowing down from Lake Geneva and the Alps. The cruise starts on its left bank, where the old industrial quays have been turned into long riverside parks with lawns, terraces and cycle paths. Across the water you see the Presqu'île's Rhône front, lined with stately 19th-century buildings.

The highlight of this stretch is the Grand Hôtel-Dieu, a former hospital whose origins go back to the 12th century and whose long classical facade and central dome stretch along the quay. Restored and reopened with shops, courtyards and gardens, it is free to explore after your cruise. Several bridges link the two banks here, and the views from the dining room take in the whole sweep of the river.

Confluence, Where the Rivers Meet

Heading south, the boat reaches the tip of the Presqu'île, where the Saône flows into the Rhône. This spot gave its name to the Confluence district, a former port and railway zone that has been reborn as a showcase of contemporary architecture, with bright facades, converted docks and wide promenades on the water.

At the very tip stands the Musée des Confluences, a dramatic museum of glass and steel devoted to science, nature and world cultures, opened in 2014. From the river you get the best view of its unusual shape. If you want to visit after your Lyon river cruise, the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is easy to reach by tram T1; plan two to three hours inside.

Vieux Lyon and the Saône

Turning into the Saône, the scenery becomes calmer and greener. On the west bank lies Vieux Lyon, the Renaissance quarter at the heart of the Historic Site of Lyon, listed by UNESCO in 1998. From the water you see the line of tall merchants' houses, the Gothic cathedral and the neoclassical courthouse with its row of columns.

Seeing the old town from a dining room window is a wonderful introduction before exploring it on foot, with its courtyards, spiral staircases and traboules, the covered passages that run through the buildings. Vieux Lyon is best visited in the morning or late afternoon, so a midday cruise fits neatly into a day of sightseeing: explore before lunch, cruise, then spend the afternoon on the hill above.

Fourvière Hill and Its Basilica

Above Vieux Lyon rises Fourvière hill, where the Romans founded Lugdunum in 43 BC. Its skyline is dominated by the white basilica built between 1872 and 1884, with corner towers and a richly decorated interior of mosaics and marble. Beside it, the esplanade is the most famous viewpoint over the city, and on clear days you can see the Alps.

From the boat the basilica appears high above the rooftops, a striking sight in daylight. To go up after your lunch cruise, take the funicular from Vieux Lyon station, which reaches the top in a few minutes; the Roman theatres and the archaeological museum are a short stroll from the basilica. Allow at least an hour and a half to enjoy the hilltop.

Itinerary

Boarding on the RhôneArrive 15 minutes before the 12:30 departure; the host welcomes you and shows you to your table.
Down the RhôneThe boat follows the Rhône past the riverside parks and the Grand Hôtel-Dieu while the starter is served.
ConfluenceRound the tip of the Presqu'île where the rivers meet, with views of the Musée des Confluences.
Up the SaôneThe main course is served as the boat glides past Vieux Lyon, the cathedral and Fourvière hill.
Return and dessertDessert is served on the way back, with time to step out on deck for photos.
Arrival back at the quayThe cruise returns to its starting point about two and a half hours after departure, around 15:00.

What's included

Lunch cruise on the Rhône and the Saône
Three-course lunch served on board
Panoramic dining room with large windows
Commentary booklet in English
Onboard host

Not included

Drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Is this right for you?

Great for

Food lovers
Anyone who wants to see it from the water

Think twice if

You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
You get seasick easily

Not suitable for

Guests who need a certified halal or allergen-free menu, as the set menu cannot be guaranteed for special diets

Meeting point

Boarding is at 16 on the left-bank quay of the Rhône in Lyon's 7th arrondissement, between the Guillotière and Université bridges; the full address is printed on your voucher. The Guillotière metro station (line D) is a few minutes away, and the tram also stops along this quay. Please arrive 15 minutes before the 12:30 departure and show your voucher to the host. Hotel pickup is not included, but we can arrange a private transfer on request.

Important information

Departure is at 12:30; please arrive 15 minutes earlier, as the boat leaves on time
Drinks are not included and can be ordered on board, including water and soft drinks
The three-course lunch is a set menu; tell us about vegetarian, fish-only or allergy needs when you book and we will pass them on, though they cannot be guaranteed
The menu is not certified halal; halal restaurants are easy to find in Lyon for your other meals
Smart-casual dress is recommended for the dining room
Bring sunglasses and a light jacket if you want to go out on deck
Gratuities are not included and are at your discretion

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

Is this a shared or a private tour?

It is a shared restaurant cruise. You have your own table in the panoramic dining room, while other guests lunch on board too. For a private boat, contact us and we will check what is possible.

Can we change the itinerary or the pace?

The route and timing are set by the boat, which cruises on the Rhône and the Saône and returns to the same quay. Lunch is served at a calm pace throughout the cruise.

How many people can join?

You can book for one person or for your whole family or group. For larger groups, book early so we can request tables together.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is per person, with a lower rate for children. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of the option.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, you make your own way to the boarding quay on the Rhône. We can arrange a private transfer from your hotel if you prefer.

What is included?

The cruise of about 2.5 hours on the Rhône and the Saône, a three-course lunch served on board in a panoramic dining room, an English commentary booklet and an onboard host. Drinks and gratuities are not included.

How long is the cruise?

About two and a half hours, from 12:30 to around 15:00.

Is it suitable for children and people with reduced mobility?

Children are welcome, and the large windows keep them interested. Guests with reduced mobility should contact us before booking so we can check access to the boat.

Is the food halal?

The set menu is not certified halal. We can pass on a request for a fish or vegetarian dish, but it cannot be guaranteed. Lyon has many halal restaurants for your other meals.

What should I bring?

Your voucher on your phone, sunglasses, a light jacket for the deck and a camera for the riverside views.

What is the best season for the lunch cruise?

It runs all year in a heated, enclosed dining room. Spring and early autumn offer soft light and pleasant deck weather, summer is bright and lively, and winter days are calm with crisp views of Fourvière.

How do I book and confirm?

Choose your date in the booking panel on this page and complete the booking. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and sends your voucher for boarding.