Best Bike Tours in Lyon

One of the best ways to explore the city of Lyon is undoubtedly to go on two wheels. In these lines I tell you some of the best plans for cycling around the city.

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

Best Bike Tours in Lyon

Getting to know Lyon | ©Roses_Street

One of the best things to see and do in Lyon is definitely to sign up for a good bike tour, because what better way to get to know a city than by bike? In the case of Lyon, this experience allows you to enjoy the architecture and history of the city without having to walk.

During the tour you will not only get to see the city from a different perspective, but you will also have the opportunity to stay as long as you want to visit the highlights of Lyon. In addition, the bike tour is also a great way to discover the culinary culture of Lyon.

1. Tour Lyon by bike from the gates of the old town

Cycling in Lyon| ©Fred Banchet
Cycling in Lyon| ©Fred Banchet

This cycling experience in Lyon from the gates of the old city will take you to discover the architectural treasures and historical monuments hidden inside the city. You will meet your tour guide at the Porte de la Guillotière, where the ride will begin and continue to Vieux Lyon.

This is one of the best bike tours in Lyon because it also takes you to see places like the Quartier Saint-Jean and Place Bellecour. But you will also have the opportunity to stop at other places of cultural and tourist interest in the city of Lyon such as the Saint-Jean Cathedral, the Palais de la Paix, the Place de la Reine and the Palais Saint-Pierre.

Details of interest

  • Price: To sign up for this bike tour of Lyon from the ancient city gates, you will have to pay around 25 euros per person.
  • Duration: The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is completed by bike and you will have to make your own way to the meeting point.
  • Advantages of this option: Bike rental and the company of an expert guide are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Personal expenses, drinks and meals are not included.

Book a bike tour in Lyon

2. One day tour of Lyon by bike

Bike tour of Lyon| ©Olivier
Bike tour of Lyon| ©Olivier

This is undoubtedly one of the best activities you can do in Lyon because it is a day tour that takes you around the city by bike to enjoy not only the urban area of the city but also its green areas and nature. You will ride through the old city, and you will have the opportunity to get lost in its narrow streets and passages.

The route is of medium difficulty, and is out of the common places of bike tours, so it is a good choice whether you have already been to Lyon, or if you just know the city. Your guide will also give you detailed information on local history and culture. Throughout the experience you will have a support vehicle to ensure the safety of you and your companions on the tour.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay between 50 and 60 euros per person to participate in this experience.
  • Duration: The tour is a full day tour, so you will be on the route for approximately eight hours.
  • Means of transportation: The entire tour is completed by bicycle, although you will also have a support vehicle along the way.
  • Advantages of this option: The tour guide's company is included, as well as the bicycle rental.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Personal expenses are not included, nor are meals and drinks along the way.

3. Electric bike tour in Lyon with food tasting

Eating in Lyon| ©Pascal Rey
Eating in Lyon| ©Pascal Rey

On this electric bike tour of Lyon you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will not only take you through some of the main streets of the city, but also tell you why they are so charming, as well as help you learn about the history and cultural details of the city.

During this excursion you will also have the opportunity to taste some typical local dishes in certain restaurants in Lyon, so this experience could also be included among the best gastronomic tours in Lyon. Some of the exquisite dishes that you will have the opportunity to taste during the tour are boards of local products such as cheese and sausages; as well as more elaborate ones such as duck à l'orange or tartiflette.

Details of interest

  • Price: To live this experience you will have to pay between 50 and 100 euros per person.
  • Duration: This tour will take about 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is completed on board an electric bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: The electric bicycles are included in the price of the excursion. Lunch stop and some refreshments during the tour are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Food and beverage prices are not included except for those included in the trip specifications.

Book a bike tour in Lyon

4. Wine tour of the Lyon region by bike

Tasting Beaujolais wine| ©tangobiker
Tasting Beaujolais wine| ©tangobiker

If you are a wine lover this is one of the best experiences you can have in Lyon, and it is definitely a plan you should include in your Lyon itinerary in 3 days. This is a guided tour and bike tour that will take you to see the main vineyards of the Lyon region. You will see the vineyards, meet the winemakers and learn about wine production techniques and processes.

Of course, along the way you will have the opportunity to park your bike and enter a winery to taste the local wines. It is certainly one of the best wine tours in Lyon because it stops at about 4 or 5 wineries, where you will enjoy tastings. Beaujolais Villages, Mâcon Village and Saint-Amour are some of the wine options you will taste. At a certain point of the experience you will have time to stop for lunch.

Details of interest

  • Price: This tour can cost approximately €110 per person.
  • Duration: The tour is planned to last a whole day.
  • Means of transportation: You will travel on an electric bicycle during the whole tour, although you will have to get to the meeting point on your own.
  • Advantages of this option: The tour guide is included and will show you the best traditional and local wines. The visit to the wineries and vineyards is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Meals and beverages are not included, except those specified in the tour.

5. Tour of Lyon's historic districts by bike

Old Lyon| ©Jeanne Menjoulet
Old Lyon| ©Jeanne Menjoulet

Although you can also get to know the historic districts of the city by hopping on a Lyon sightseeing bus, you will definitely find the cycling experience incredible. You will climb aboard a bike and ride with your guide and the rest of your team to Lyon's historic neighborhoods such as Vieux Lyon, Croix-Rousse, Fourvière, Bellecour and Presqu'île.

Your guide will tell you everything you want to know about the architectural styles that blend in these neighborhoods, as well as the many medieval and modern buildings that converge within them. In the Fourvière district you will have the opportunity to visit the castle, from where you will have a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Interesting details

  • Price: You will have to pay for this experience around 50 euros per person.
  • Duration: It will take you between 3 and 4 hours to complete the whole tour.
  • Means of transportation: During the whole trip you will be on board of a bicycle, however, you have to get on your own to the starting point.
  • Advantages of this option: All safety measures are included. The company of a tour guide is also included. Bottled water is provided along the way.
  • Disadvantages of this option: You need to be in good physical shape to enjoy the tour. Bike rental is not included, so you will have to rent a bike or bring your own.

6. Tour of the main attractions of the city of Lyon by bike

Bicycles of Lyon| ©kaiserstein
Bicycles of Lyon| ©kaiserstein

In this experience you will have the opportunity to go to know each of the most interesting places of the city of Lyon aboard a bicycle. It is different from other tours because you will go inside places such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Fourvière, the Park of the Three Gorges and the Jardin des Plantes.

Also during the tour you will have the opportunity to cross the historical bridges of the city aboard your bike. You will see and take many pictures of the Saint-Georges Bridge, the Saint-Paul Bridge and the Saint-Clair Bridge.

Interesting details

  • Price: To participate in this activity you will have to pay between 35 and 50 euros per person.
  • Duration: It will take you about 3 to 4 hours to complete this experience.
  • Means of transport: The whole tour is completed by bicycle, although you will have to reach the starting point on your own.
  • Advantages of this option: Bicycle rental is included as well as the accompaniment of a tour guide. Some entrance fees to tourist sites of interest are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Personal expenses and meals and drinks during the tour are not included. The cost of lunch is not included.

7. Lyon Gastronomy Bike Tour

Les Halles Paul Bocuse Market| ©Heather Cowper
Les Halles Paul Bocuse Market| ©Heather Cowper

During this experience on two wheels you will have the opportunity to go and get to know the gastronomy of Lyon, taking a ride through some of the typical dishes of French cuisine. In the middle of this tour your tour guide will take you to taste foods such as Reblochon cheese, onion soup or veal Provencal style. You will also have the opportunity to eat traditional desserts such as tomato flan and tarte tatin.

In order to savor the French cuisine in Lyon, your guide will take you to visit amazing places in the city such as its main markets, including the Les Halles Paul Bocuse Market. While he takes you to taste typical French food, he will tell you a little about the cultural influence in the city. Places you'll see include the area around the Saône River, the museum of Lyon's treasures and the Saint-Jean Cathedral.

Details of interest

  • Price: You can participate in this tour by paying a price starting from €60 per person.
  • Duration: The tour will last approximately 2 to 3 hours.
  • Means of transportation: The whole tour is completed by bicycle, although you have to get to the meeting point on your own.
  • Advantages of this option: The tour generally includes a tour guide, bicycle rental and tasting of typical dishes. A visit to the markets of Lyon is also included. You will be able to choose the vegan option for your French gastronomy tour.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Transportation to the tour meeting point is not included. Refreshments and snacks are not included.

8. Tour along the Saône River by bicycle

Walking along the Saona River| ©Joan
Walking along the Saona River| ©Joan

This is a special tour because it allows you to leave the city of Lyon to take a bike ride along the trails of the Saona River. During this tour you will live a unique experience of connection with nature, but also with the culture and history of the place.

One of the experiences that you will value the most during this tour is the opportunity to appreciate a panoramic view of the fields, lakes, mountains and forests that are located around the river. But not everything will be nature during this tour, you will also have the opportunity to visit historical sites such as the Church of San Juan Bautista, the Castle of Vilardida and the Archaeology Museum.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay between 20 and 30 euros per person to participate in the tour.
  • Duration: It can take around 3 hours to complete this tour.
  • Means of transport: During the whole activity you will travel by bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: This tour includes the company of a tour guide and the rental of the bicycles. Bicycle maintenance costs are also included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Meals and beverages are not included, nor are personal expenses.

9. Tour of the old city of Lyon by bike

Person on Bike| ©Olivier
Person on Bike| ©Olivier

This bike tour will take you to know the old city of Lyon from a historical and cultural perspective thanks to your tour guide who will tell you everything you need to know about it. Among the places you will see during the tour are the Saint Jean Cathedral, the Saint-Paul Church, the Place des Terreaux, the Tête d'Or Gardens, the Saône River, the Parc de la Tête d'Or and Barbe Island.

On this guided tour you will not only have the opportunity to see and photograph the old city, but you will also see all the beauty and tranquility that the beautiful landscapes of the old city of Lyon have to offer. This is one of those tours that I recommend you to do even if you are staying in Lyon for only one day.

Details of interest

  • Price: A tour of the old city of Lyon generally costs between €40 and €60 per person.
  • Duration: The tour can last approximately 3 to 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: The entire tour is completed by bicycle, although you will have to make your own way to the meeting point.
  • Advantages of this option: This tour includes bike rental, a professional guide, a support vehicle, as well as bike maintenance and repair.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Entrance fees to tourist sites are not included. Additional expenses and expenses related to food and beverages are not included.

10. Tour of Lyon's art museums by bike

Bicycles and Musée de Confluence| ©martyr_67
Bicycles and Musée de Confluence| ©martyr_67

You will love this bike tour of Lyon because it will allow you to visit the art museums of the city. During the tour you will be able to see and get to know up to six of the most famous museums in the city. In fact, it is one of those experiences that you have to do if you go to Lyon with children.

Among the museums you will see on this bike tour are the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum des Confluences, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Museum de la Soierie and the Museum of Natural History. Within each of these you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour for an additional fee.

Details of interest

  • Price: The tour can have an approximate price of about 30 euros per person, while the price of the entrance tickets to the museums may vary according to the policies of each one, although in general you will have to pay around 10 euros.
  • Duration: The tour is a full day tour, so it will take you about eight hours to complete.
  • Means of transportation: The entire tour is completed by bicycle, although you will have to get to the meeting point on your own.
  • Advantages of this option: Tour guide through the city is included. Bicycle rental is included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Entrance fees to museums are not included. Guided tours inside the museums are not included. Transportation to the starting point and back to the hotel is not included.

Tips for a bike tour in Lyon

Bike Day| ©Hëllø i'm Wild
Bike Day| ©Hëllø i'm Wild
  • Dress according to the season and ask before going on a tour, what kind of landscapes you are going to see to know how to dress and if it is necessary to use sunscreen or creams against insects.
  • Even if you are accompanied by a tour guide and safety equipment, make sure that everything is in order regarding the bicycle and all its components.
  • Always carry enough water and a map, even if you are taking a guided tour with a bicycle tour expert.