In case you’re touring to Paris, don’t miss the chance to discover extra fabulous European cities! Brussels and Lyon are two wonderful cities, however how do you select which is one of the best day journey from Paris?
I’ve visited France over a half-dozen occasions – it’s my favourite journey vacation spot. I’ve additionally taken loads of journeys from Paris, together with visiting each Lyon and Brussels.
I’ve obtained all the knowledge you want in regards to the prime points of interest in every metropolis (in addition to its prime dishes) so to choose which metropolis is the right selection on your journey.
Each cities are nice day journeys from Paris by prepare (underneath 2 hours by high-speed prepare), making it a breeze to go to both one.
Able to find out about some fabulous Paris day journeys?
Lace up your footwear and let’s go!
High points of interest in Lyon
Lyon has all kinds of implausible points of interest. Fortunately, many of those are shut to one another, so it’s simple to cross many prime sights off your listing — even in the event you solely have at some point in Lyon.
Begin your go to by taking the funicular up Fourvière Hill to see the unbelievable Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Make sure you go contained in the basilica, as you gained’t wish to miss the large-scale gilded mosaics adorning the partitions. I took a rooftop tour of the basilica, which supplies many glorious picture alternatives of the basilica and the gilded Madonna statue!
Simply exterior the basilica is an remark deck the place you may get pleasure from gorgeous panoramic views of Lyon. You possibly can spot the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, Vieux Lyon, and the rivers within the background. Carry your digital camera to get some unbelievable footage!
Historical past buffs will wish to go to the Roman ruins. The well-preserved Gallo-Roman amphitheater continues to be used right this moment for Lyon’s summertime music pageant, Les Nuits de Fourvière. Adjoining to the ruins is the Lugdunum Museum, which incorporates artifacts from Roman occasions.
Subsequent, spend a while exploring Vieux Lyon. This charming historic neighborhood is full of colourful Renaissance structure – a must-see in Lyon! Search for the traboules — these secret passageways performed an essential position in Lyon’s silk business.
Cease by the beautiful Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral to admire its Gothic structure. Hidden contained in the cathedral is an unbelievable astronomical clock, and you too can take a fast tour by way of the treasury.
Relaxation your toes and take a sightseeing cruise on the Saône River. These are an effective way to shortly see extra of the town (they solely take about an hour). Go by structure starting from the historic buildings in Vieux Lyon to the ultra-modern Musée des Confluences, one of many prime museums in Lyon.
High points of interest in Brussels
There are many terrific issues to do in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
Begin your day in Brussels with a go to to the Grand Place. That is probably the most spectacular metropolis sq. I’ve ever seen! It’s surrounded by unbelievable buildings relationship from the 14th century.
Admire the Lodge de Ville (City Corridor), the Brussels Metropolis Museum, and the Grote Markt Huis. The statues and gilding on these buildings are phenomenal. That is additionally the place a number of the metropolis’s favourite festivals happen, together with the Ommegang and the attractive Flower Carpet.
The Mannekin Pis is likely one of the hottest issues to see in Brussels (I’m unsure precisely why). This fountain incorporates a statue of a younger boy, and locals gown up the statue for festivals all year long. There’s even a museum that shows the costumes of the Mannekin Pis (the GardeRobe Manneken Pis).
You can too seek for the Jeanneke Pis, the feminine model. And only for enjoyable, there’s a model that includes a canine, Het Zinneke.
In case you solely see one church in Brussels, it ought to be the St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral. That is the nationwide church of Belgium, and it’s possible you’ll even spot the Belgian royal household at particular occasions held right here. (We noticed the royal household in Brussels final summer season on the Belgian Nationwide Day.)
The Atomium is likely one of the most iconic points of interest in Brussels. It’s an immense stainless-steel construction of an atom that have to be seen to be believed. It’s removed from the town heart (about 40 minutes by public transit), so I don’t suggest it in case you are solely in Brussels on a day journey.
Arts in Lyon
In case you’re fascinated by arts and tradition, you’ll love exploring Lyon.
One among the highest issues to do in Lyon is to see the unbelievable trompe-l’oeil murals scattered all through the town. These larger-than-life murals cowl total buildings and are extremely reasonable. Two well-known murals in Lyon are Le Mur des Canuts (a slice of life within the Croix Rousse) and the Fresque des Lyonnais (which options lots of the most well-known residents of Lyon).
Lyon’s most beloved puppet is Guignol. The younger (and younger at coronary heart) can get pleasure from puppet reveals at venues throughout the town. Or discover one in all Lyon’s puppetry museums, such because the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette. (It’s one of many hidden gems present in Vieux Lyon.)
Desire tremendous arts? You’ll wish to go to the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Lyon’s tremendous arts museum has an intensive assortment (the second-largest in France, after the Louvre). Tip: The museum’s backyard courtyard consists of lovely statues and is free to go to.
Arts in Brussels
Brussels is a novel mixture of top-notch artwork museums and quirky avenue artwork.
On the tremendous arts facet, get pleasure from a day exploring the Royal Museums of Tremendous Arts of Belgium. The collections function over 20,000 artistic endeavors, from portray to sculpture. Followers of artist René Magritte will love visiting the Magritte Museum, which shows his artworks and artifacts from his life.
As you discover Brussels, get pleasure from discovering its murals and avenue artwork. These are typically in additional of a comic book arts fashion. This matches in with a few of Belgium’s most beloved comedian creations, the Smurfs (or Les Schtroumphs, as they’re known as in French).
Comedian e-book followers will get pleasure from spending time on the fun-filled Comics Artwork Museum or bask in retro nostalgia on the Comics Collectible figurines Museum.
Meals in Lyon
Lyon is named the gastronomic capital of France, so you’ll be having fun with some scrumptious meals!
For an elevated eating expertise, make reservations at one in all Lyon’s many Michelin-starred eating places. Or get pleasure from a meal at a comfortable bouchon, a conventional Lyonnais restaurant serving hearty fare.
In case you’re a foodie, visiting the gourmand market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is a should! Browse stalls brimming with goodies, pastries, cheeses, and extra tasty goodies.
A number of the native dishes you’ll wish to attempt in Lyon embody:
- Quenelles de Brochet: This well-liked Lyonnais dish is fish dumplings, served with a creamy seafood-infused sauce (I admit it, the sauce is my favourite half!)
- Cervelle de Canut: This can be a well-liked appetizer in Lyon. This savory unfold created from recent cheese, herbs, and garlic is ideal when slathered on a slice of crusty French bread.
- Tarte aux Pralines: In case you have a candy tooth (like I do), the tarte aux pralines is a must-try dessert in Lyon. This tart is made with Lyon’s signature praline rose (pink candied almonds).
- Coussin de Lyon: This tasty deal with is a chocolate and marzipan sweet formed like a cushion. You possibly can’t miss it — it’s coloured a vivid shade of inexperienced! It’s an ideal memento to convey again residence out of your journey to Lyon.
- Wine: France is known for its wines. You’ll definitely wish to get pleasure from some regional wines reminiscent of Côtes du Rhône or Beaujolais alongside together with your meal. Maybe you’ll uncover a brand new favourite!
Meals in Brussels
Brussels is definitely no slouch within the meals division!
In case you want less complicated (however nonetheless scrumptious) meals, Brussels fare is bound to please. Brussels has loads of tempting avenue meals choices for grab-and-go culinary comfort to gas your day journey.
A number of the most iconic Belgian meals embody:
- Frites: These crispy and scrumptious fries are a nationwide treasure in Belgium. These are a number of the hottest avenue meals in Belgium, served in a paper cone and slathered together with your selection of sauces.
- Waffles: These candy treats are excellent for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. Select from a dizzying number of toppings like chocolate, caramel, and fruit. However you’ll want to attempt one ‘plain’ to get pleasure from its distinctive texture – crispy on the surface and deliciously creamy on the within!
- Chocolate: Brussels is understood for its scrumptious chocolate. With quite a few chocolatiers and retailers all through the town, you’ll don’t have any hassle discovering the right field of goodies to convey residence. (For an indulgent deal with, go to a store and luxuriate in a luscious mixture of scorching chocolate and a number of tremendous goodies!)
- Belgian Beer: No journey to Brussels could be full with out making an attempt a few of their well-known Belgian beers. With almost 1500 varieties to select from, you’ll by no means run out of choices.
Last Ideas
Each Brussels and Lyon have a wealth of fabulous points of interest, an unbelievable arts scene, and loads of scrumptious dishes to tempt your style buds.
You’re certain to have a superb time in both metropolis, however general, I’d say that Lyon is the higher day journey from Paris.
A lot of Lyon’s points of interest are positioned shut to one another, making it simple to do a number of sightseeing throughout your day journey to Lyon.
For one of the best of each worlds, why not spend an additional day or two in Europe and go to each?
Bon voyage!
–
Lisa Garrett is an engineer by career, a traveler by obsession, and the founding father of the Waves and Cobblestones and Journey to Lyon journey blogs. Whether or not you might be planning a two-week journey to France or have simply at some point in Cabo San Lucas on a cruise, her vacation spot guides and journey suggestions will assist you’ve a tremendous journey. Lace up your footwear and let’s go!
