10 Best Road Trips Near Lyon

Domaine de Lacroix-Laval is a country estate where you'll find a vibrant parkland to explore that's perfect for a serene experience away from the city's hustle and bustle. The estate measures 115 hectares in total, so you can spend an entire day seeing everything it has to offer.

Several paths stretch out through the parkland, making it easy to explore its woods and ponds. Consider taking a picnic with you as well, as the serene surroundings here will make you want to take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Additionally, you'll find playgrounds for kids. It's located a few miles north-west of town accessible by automobile, train and bus.

Pérouges is a historic medieval town where you can enjoy the quaint character and serene surroundings among the landmarks and protected sites. Ancient walls still surround the town, and many of the half-timbered houses date back centuries.

When you visit, you'll find cobblestone streets and several museums showing off the town's history. You can also take in the sights outside the walls, as the community is located in the rural countryside. The town is located east of Lyon, about 19 miles away.

Vienne is a city with a rich history dating back to the time of the Romans, complete with ancient ruins that you can still visit today. One of the most iconic sites in this city is the Temple of Augustus and Livia, constructed more than 2,000 years ago.

No trip to Vienne would be complete without visiting the ancient Roman theater. It's so large because it was designed to be able to fit an audience of 13,000. You can check out the Gothic cathedral from the medieval era for something a bit more recent. The city is about 20 miles south of Lyon, about 45 minutes or so by automobile.

The Beaujolais Region is like eastern France's version of Tuscany, with impressive vineyards you can visit. Light-bodied red wines are the area's specialty, and tours are available that show off the winemaking process and the vineyards themselves.

The wineries are only a part of what you'll find here, however. Beyond wine, you'll find several stone villages and quaint towns in the region, perfect for relaxing at a local cafe. Plus, you can learn all about the area's history from the museums and historical sites. Check it all out about 31 miles north of Lyon.

Bourg-en-Bresse is a popular historic town near Lyon where you'll find incredibly well-preserved sites, including a massive monastery dating back centuries. The monastery is known as the Monastere Royal de Brou, and it sports a 16th-century Gothic architectural design.

When you visit the monastery, you can also explore a museum with numerous historic paintings from French and Flemish artists. The Old Town area also lets you see half-timbered homes, including one dating back to the late 15th century. It's located about an hour north-east of Lyon.

Château de la Roche is a stunning castle in the middle of a river that you can visit to tour the interior. The castle was built in the 13th century and has been expanded upon and renovated quite a bit since.

When you visit this castle, you can embark on a tour of its rich history and get an idea of what life was like for its residents in times past. The tour is narrated and implements scenography in the experience for additional immersion. It's located on the Loire a little over an hour north-west of Lyon.

Dijon is an enchanting city where you'll find plenty of historical sites to explore with absolutely stunning architecture. The historical center features several centuries-old houses. Most are from the Renaissance era, but some sport a more medieval style.

When you visit this town, you'll want to stop by the Tour Philippe le Bon, a massive tower from the 15th century that lets you take in panoramic views of the area. You can get to this city from Lyon by heading due north for about 2 hours over nearly 125 miles.

The Abbey of Hautecombe is a stunning 12th-century monastery set among serene coastal cliffs where you can take in the Gothic architecture and the natural beauty. The setting is notable for being the resting place of several members of local royalty.

When you tour this building, you can learn all about local history and the impact this abbey has had on it since its construction. Plus, its setting by the shore makes it easy to relax and immerse yourself in the local nature. You can get to this abbey east of Lyon on Lac du Bourget after about an hour and a half of driving.

Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park lets you enjoy time away from the hustle and bustle of the city with vibrant green space and plenty of peaceful trails. The park is massive in size, covering 320,000 hectares, and you'll find a network of paths within.

When you visit this park, you can explore as much as you like and hardly scratch the surface, given its size. The numerous hiking trails make it easy to explore as you see fit, with options for difficulty and distance when choosing a path. It's located about an hour and a half west of Lyon.

Annecy is a delightful alpine town where you can immerse yourself in old-town charm among serene canals with a backdrop of towering mountains. Thanks to its authenticity and commitment to preservation, the old-town section is incredibly alluring to travelers. You'll feel as if you've stepped back in time to old-world France.

When you visit this town, don't forget to check out the historic sites. Palais de l'Isle is a medieval castle that now functions as a museum. Additionally, the lake waterfront can offer a relaxing afternoon stroll for travelers looking to take it easy. It's about 2 hours east of Lyon.