Lyon
City in France
Lyon is a city in France with a population of about 519,000 residents as of 2023. Located 391 kilometers from Paris, it is known for historic religious architecture.
What to see
The city features significant religious sites that anchor its historical landscape. Visitors often head to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which sits prominently in the city, and the Lyon Cathedral, another central landmark.
When to go
Lyon experiences cold winters and warm summers. January and February are the coldest months, with daily highs around 6 °C to 8 °C and lows near 0 °C. Temperatures rise steadily through spring, reaching comfortable highs of 20 °C in May. The warmest period occurs from June through August, with daily highs peaking at 26 °C and lows around 14 °C to 16 °C. Autumn brings a gradual cooling, with October highs of 17 °C dropping to 10 °C by November. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with the highest amounts typically recorded in May, September, and October, often exceeding 85 mm. The number of rainy days is highest in the late spring and early summer months of May and June, as well as mid-winter.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, located 20 kilometers away in Colombier-Saugnieu, Rhône.
Top sights in Lyon
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 26 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 6 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 7 |
| Average low, °C | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Rainfall, mm | 49 | 44 | 51 | 73 | 91 | 75 | 67 | 66 | 88 | 92 | 82 | 59 |
| Rainy days | 13 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Lyon (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.