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Top 10 things to do between Paris and Lyon
Paris and Lyon are two major cities in France. The former is the grandiose capital city, the latter is considered the capital of French gastronomy. Both are commercial but also cultural hubs, which are must-sees when you visit France. However, although both bear a significant cultural interest for the visitors, there are many cultural, architectural and gastronomy treasures, on the roads between the two megalopolis. In this article, I will show you ten things to do on the way between Paris and Lyon.
Lyon Town Hall, image by CETIAT from Pixabay
To facilitate the journey, I will start our route from the center of Paris all the way to Lyon, through the French country side, along highways A6 and A5 – which wind past near most of the following points of interests.
Before you hit the road, make sure you have seen everything you wanted in Paris. Why not book one of our tours to see the main landmarks?
Let us now leave Paris towards Lyon for a journey through the French beautiful landscapes.
The castles of Seine-et-Marne
Apart from the infamous Palace of Versailles, located West of Paris, the Eastern towns of the Parisian metropolitan area gather some of the most superb architectural treasures in France. Indeed, as you head to Lyon you will drive through the Seine-et-Marne department, a great occasion to make a stop to see two jewels of French architecture: Vaux le Vicomte and Fontainebleau.
Vaux le Vicomte (50min from Paris)
Detour: 25km (15.5 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: Vaux le Vicomte is a 17th century castle, built for royal intendant Nicolas Fouquet under the reign of Louis XIV. At the court, Fouquet played a role suite similar to that of our current Minister of Finances. The classic architectural style was typical under Louis XIV. This 2500 square meter-castle, harboring roughly a hundred rooms, is home to beautiful pieces reflecting the French decorative arts. A proof that the castle is a marvel, Louis XIV called both the architect and the gardener of Vaux-le-Vicomte to start building Versailles, thus propelling Louis Le-Vau and André Le-Nôtre to fame.
Why it is worth it: The visit of Vaux-le-Vicomte is suitable to all audiences. All will spend a great time in this castle, whether kids or grown-ups. Many activities are offered year round for children, such as game booklets about the site or the ability to rent period costumes.
At last, for romantic evenings, Vaux-le-Vicomte castle opens at night and glows with candlelights every Saturday nights of the summer. The evening closes with a fireworks display, to perfectly conclude your romantic night.
Vaux-le-Vicomte castle – Source: Pixabay.com – CC0
Fontainebleau (1h from Paris)
Detour: 11km (7 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: Contrary to Vaux-le-Vicomte, the castle of Fontainebleau was many times transformed through centuries. Its first stone was set in the 12th century, but its transformations occurred all the way to the 19th century. Grandiose, and mixing many styles such as classic architecture or Renaissance style, the castle was chosen several times as royal or imperial house. The artworks harbored in Fontainebleau span a wide variety of cultural influences representing the vast history of the castle.
Why it is worth it: In one single visit, the castle of Fontainebleau offers the occasion to dive through centuries of French history. From one room to the other, you will walk from royal times to the Napoleonic Empire, observing the changes in French culture. The vast park and gardens surrounding the palace offer many activities for parents and children. You may ride a horse-carriage, a pony or a train, or enjoy the place in many other ways.
The Castle of Fontainebleau – Source: Pixabay.com CC0
The Auxerre Cathedral (1h50 from Paris)
Detour: 9km (5.5 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: The Auxerre Cathedral is a magnificent gothic-style edifice. Located in the heart of medieval Auxerre, it was first partially destroyed by fire, twice, at the 5th and 9th centuries. Rebuilt as a roman-style cathedral in the 11th century, the crypt still visible today is the only remnant of it. The rest of the gothic masterpiece was completed through the following years up to the 16th century.
Why it is worth it: The unique mix between the roman crypt and the gothic main cathedral is largely worth the detour. The cathedral is also home to a unique treasure composed of beautiful illuminated* and decorated manuscripts. Also, don’t miss the main-rose and many stained-glass windows all around the building.
Sidenote : Illumination was an already rare, complex and technical art in the Middle Ages which consisted in supplementing handwritten text with decorations such as marginalia or initials decorations. Manuscripts were also often enriched with handmade and painted plates. The fragility of these documents and the fact that they were handmade, makes them unique, rare and real treasures to us.
The Auxerre cityscape with the Cathedral – Source: Pixabay.com – CC0
Guédelon (2h15 from Paris)
Detour: 56km (35 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: Contrary to most places in this top-list and to most castles in France, Guédelon doesn’t have a long history since its first stone was set in…1997! Before this “medieval” castle stood there, there was nothing… What is the point? Might you say. Well, Guédelon is the project of the Saint Fargeau castle’s owner. Fascinated with the Middle-ages, the man decided to offer to visitors a deep dive into a medieval construction site. The guédelon castle is a fortified castle being built only with medieval techniques, an open-air museum displaying the skills and savoir-faire of medieval craftsmen.
Why it is worth it: Guédelon aims at displaying archeology and construction techniques. As you progress in your visit, you will learn about the many jobs required to build a castle in the Middle Ages, and you may even choose to participate in it for one day! The tour will be an enchantment for kids who will learn so much all around the construction site. As for adults, you are not forgotten as the bravest of you will be able to book a several day workshop to learn the skills yourself!
The Guedelon construction site – Source: Pixabay.com – CC0
The Walls of Avallon (2h30 from Paris)
Detour: 9km (5.5 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: The ramparts of Avallon consist of many fortifications in and around the eponym town. Started in the 12th century, the walls were dominated by about twenty defensive towers. Only five towers still stand today.
Why it is worth it: These ramparts allow visitors to enjoy a very agreeable walk through the historic town. Should the weather allow it, it is a great start for a day with your friends and family. In addition to the rich heritage sites still standing there, the walls of Avallon offer stunning viewpoints out to the Burgundy countryside. The Avallon town hall also installed a short touristic trail – guided by frogs characters, of course J – to guide you through the city.
Nigloland (2h30 from Paris)
Detour: 20km (12.5 miles) away from highway A5
About the site: Often overlooked, Nigloland is a French amusement park worth a detour, and the largest theme park in Eastern France. Created in the late 80s by two carnies, the park is now a four-land-park with nearly forty attractions also offering restaurants and a pirate-themed four-star hotel.
Why it is worth it: Nigloland is adapted to a family-audience. Many attractions will please your young ones, but there are also some big-thrilling rides for the bravest of you. If you are looking for more intense attractions than what you may find in Disneyland, Nigloland is a great alternative. For instance, you may ride the tallest rotating free-fall drop tower in the world in Nigloland. Of course, the park is transformed with seasons, so you may enjoy thrilling adventures for Halloween or Christmas.
Alésia MuseoParc (2h45 from Paris)
Detour: 24km (15 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: Alésia is one of the most important historic site in French and Gallo-roman history. During the Gallic Wars (58-50 BC) opposing the Caesar-lead Romans and the many tribes of Gauls, Alésia marked the war apogee, with a long siege which drove Gallic chief Vercingétorix to surrender by throwing down his arms at the feet of Caesar, triggering a new era in Gauls history.
Why it is worth it: The visit of the site offers a wide array of possibilities. Indeed, there are three distinct areas composing the place. The first one, known as “interpretation center”, is your typical history museum displaying many archeological artefacts from the Battle of Alésia, as well as great explanations on the Roman conquests.
The second area will enchant those of you who came to France to see its many historic richness since it is the archeological area itself. The open-air visit it a great window to the typical Gauls oppidum (fortified village) and lifestyle.
At last, don’t miss the thirt point of interest, the monumental Vercingétorix statue, commissioned by Napoléon III in the 19th century, in memory of the great Gallic leader.
Nature getaway in Morvan (2h45 from Paris)
Detour: 20km (12.5 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: The Morvan Natural Park is a 2900 square kilometer protected area in the Burgundy-Franche-Comté Region. With an emphasis on flora and fauna, and a pedagogical approach, the parc aims at presenting the environmental richness of the Region. With its many lakes and woods, the Morvan Park is a great place for a short nature retreat in Central France.
Why it is worth it: Located quite apart from the rest of Burgundy, the Morvan Park is the one place you are looking for if you seek to disconnect for a few days. Offering many hiking trails to discover the wonders of the area, aquatic areas ideal especially if you want to practice rafting, and waterfalls to rest with the song of water in the background, the Morvan Natural Park is a good nature detour on your way to Lyon.
Typical Morvan landscape – Source: Pixabay.com – CC0
Hospices de Beaune (3h from Paris)
Detour: 5km (3 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: Probably one of the most famous Burgundy monuments, the Hospice de Beaune was built in the 15th century in order to harbor those finding themselves outcasts of society at that time: orphans, ill-people, lonely elder people… The institution used to be held by religious women.
Why it is worth it: The beautiful roof of the Hospices de Beaune, recognizable with its varnished colored tiles, is renowned nationally and makes the place an unmissable visit in the Burgundy region.
Turned into a museum, the Hospices gather accounts of the life there as it was home to the outcasts. The Hospices also run a vineyard nearby. The sales of wine help preserving this jewel of French heritage.
The stunning roofing of the Hospices de Beaune – Source: Pixabay.com – CC0
The Wine Route (about 3h from Paris)
Detour: 41km (25 miles) away from highway A6
About the site: Known for its many vineyards, whose productions are beloved throughout the country and far beyond the borders, Burgundy offers several Wine Routes allowing visitors to discover each type of wine. The most famous one is the “Route des Grands Crus” located between Chenove – a town South of Dijon – and Santenay, along department road D974.
Why it is worth it: The Grand Crus Wine Route will take you through the beautiful Burgundy landscapes and its amazing hills covered with vines which will later make up the greatest vintages. If you are a wine lover, the roughly thirty villages you will drive past will bear familiar names to your ears. And if you are not the driver (I insist on this: drink or drive) you will be able to stop and learn the many secrets of winemaking in the local wine cellars – most of which offer wine tasting activities. At last, beside the oenological interest, the postcard-like amazing Burgundy landscapes are definitely a plus.
The North of Lyon: The Golden Stones, Pérouges and Villars-les-Dombes
As you get closer to the “Capital of Gauls” (Lyon’s nickname), you will drive by three points of interest, worth a short detour:
- The Golden Stones Country is an ensemble of about forty villages whose nickname comes from their walls color. As the gateway to Southern France, these Burgundy villages will amaze you when the sun shines, with their warm glow, and make a perfect introduction to you sunbathed vacation.
- Pérouges is a stunning medieval town less than half-an-hour from Lyon. Extremely well preserved, the fortified town allows you to discover the typical medieval layout and architecture, and harbors some of the oldest houses in the area. A great place if you are fond of history, Pérouges can be discovered in less than a day, all the while tasting their famous sugar pie! – Learn more here
- North-East of Lyon lie the marshlands of Dombes. In the town of Villars-Les-Dombes don’t miss the stunning Birds Park, a very pedagogical and interesting aviary park where you can watch more than 600 species of birds. – Learn more here
Pérouges medieval perspective – Source: Pixabay.com CC0
***
The road between Paris and Lyon is rich of many wonders and it would be a shame not to take advantage of your trip to see them. Whether you are fond of history, nature or entertainment, I hope this top 10 will help you enjoy your time between the two cities, alone, with your friends or with your family.
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