Should 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 the most effective day journey from Paris?

I’ve visited France over a half-dozen instances – 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 acquired all the data you want in regards to the high points of interest in every metropolis (in addition to its high dishes) as a way to decide which metropolis is the proper selection on your journey.

Each cities are nice day journeys from Paris by prepare (beneath 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 sneakers 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 high sights off your listing — even in case 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 to go contained in the basilica, as you received’t need to miss the large-scale gilded mosaics adorning the partitions.  I took a rooftop tour of the basilica, which gives many wonderful photograph alternatives of the basilica and the gilded Madonna statue!

Simply exterior the basilica is an statement deck the place you may take pleasure in gorgeous panoramic views of Lyon.   You possibly can spot the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, Vieux Lyon, and the rivers within the background. Convey your digicam to get some unbelievable photos!

Historical past buffs will need to go to the Roman ruins.  The well-preserved Gallo-Roman amphitheater remains to be used right now for Lyon’s summertime music competition, Les Nuits de Fourvière.  Adjoining to the ruins is the Lugdunum Museum, which accommodates artifacts from Roman instances.

Subsequent, spend a while exploring Vieux Lyon.  This charming historic neighborhood is crammed with colourful Renaissance structure – a must-see in Lyon!  Search for the traboules — these secret passageways performed an necessary function in Lyon’s silk business.

Cease by the attractive Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral to admire its Gothic structure.  Hidden contained in the cathedral is an unbelievable astronomical clock, and you may as well take a fast tour by means of the treasury.

Relaxation your toes and take a sightseeing cruise on the Saône River.  These are a good way to shortly see extra of 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 high 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 essentially the most spectacular metropolis sq. I’ve ever seen!  It’s surrounded by unbelievable buildings courting 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 among the metropolis’s favourite festivals happen, together with the Ommegang and the gorgeous Flower Carpet.

The Mannekin Pis is without doubt 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 may be even a museum that shows the costumes of the Mannekin Pis (the GardeRobe Manneken Pis).

You too can seek for the Jeanneke Pis, the feminine model.  And only for enjoyable, there’s a model that includes a canine, Het Zinneke.

Should you solely see one church in Brussels, it must be the St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral.  That is the nationwide church of Belgium, and you might even spot the Belgian royal household at particular occasions held right here. (We noticed the royal household in Brussels final summer time on the Belgian Nationwide Day.)

The Atomium is without doubt one of the most iconic points of interest in Brussels.  It’s an immense stainless-steel construction of an atom that should be seen to be believed.  It’s removed from town heart (about 40 minutes by public transit), so I don’t advocate it if you’re solely in Brussels on a day journey.

Arts in Lyon

Should you’re curious about arts and tradition, you’ll love exploring Lyon.

Considered one of the highest issues to do in Lyon is to see the unbelievable trompe-l’oeil murals scattered all through town.  These larger-than-life murals cowl total buildings and are extremely sensible.  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 take pleasure in puppet reveals at venues throughout town.  Or discover certainly one of Lyon’s puppetry museums, such because the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette.  (It’s one of many hidden gems present in Vieux Lyon.)

Choose high quality arts?  You’ll need to go to the Musée des Beaux-Arts.  Lyon’s high quality arts museum has an in depth assortment (the second-largest in France, after the Louvre).  Tip: The museum’s backyard courtyard contains stunning statues and is free to go to.

Arts in Brussels

Brussels is a singular mixture of top-notch artwork museums and quirky road artwork.

On the high quality arts facet, take pleasure in a day exploring the Royal Museums of High-quality Arts of Belgium.  The collections function over 20,000 artworks, 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, take pleasure in discovering its murals and road artwork.  These are usually in additional of a comic book arts fashion.  This suits in with a few of Belgium’s most beloved comedian creations, the Smurfs (or Les Schtroumphs, as they’re referred to as in French).

Comedian e book followers will take pleasure in spending time on the fun-filled Comics Artwork Museum or take pleasure in retro nostalgia on the Comics Collectible figurines Museum.

Meals in Lyon

Lyon is named the gastronomic capital of France, so you realize you’ll be having fun with some scrumptious meals!

For an elevated eating expertise, make reservations at certainly one of Lyon’s many Michelin-starred eating places.  Or take pleasure in a meal at a comfy bouchon, a standard Lyonnais restaurant serving hearty fare.

Should you’re a foodie, visiting the connoisseur market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is a should!   Browse stalls brimming with sweets, pastries, cheeses, and extra tasty goodies.

A few of the native dishes you’ll need to strive in Lyon embrace:

• Quenelles de Brochet:  This standard Lyonnais dish is fish dumplings, served with a creamy seafood-infused sauce (I admit it, the sauce is my favourite half!)
• Cervelle de Canut: It is a standard appetizer in Lyon. This savory unfold constructed from recent cheese, herbs, and garlic is ideal when slathered on a slice of crusty French bread.
• Tarte aux Pralines: You probably 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 carry again residence out of your journey to Lyon.
• Wine:  France is known for its wines.  You’ll definitely need to take pleasure in some regional wines corresponding to Côtes du Rhône or Beaujolais alongside along with your meal.  Maybe you’ll uncover a brand new favourite!

Meals in Brussels

Brussels is definitely no slouch within the meals division! 

Should you favor easier (however nonetheless scrumptious) meals, Brussels fare is bound to please.  Brussels has loads of tempting road meals choices for grab-and-go culinary comfort to gasoline your day journey.

A few of the most iconic Belgian meals embrace:

• Frites: These crispy and scrumptious fries are a nationwide treasure in Belgium. These are among the hottest road meals in Belgium, served in a paper cone and slathered along with your selection of sauces.
• Waffles: These candy treats are excellent for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. Select from a dizzying choice of toppings like chocolate, caramel, and fruit.  However make sure you strive one ‘plain’ to take pleasure in its distinctive texture – crispy on the skin and deliciously creamy on the within!
• Chocolate:  Brussels is understood for its scrumptious chocolate. With quite a few chocolatiers and retailers all through town, you’ll haven’t any hassle discovering the proper field of sweets to carry residence.  (For an indulgent deal with, go to a store and luxuriate in a luscious mixture of sizzling chocolate and a choice of high quality sweets!)
• Belgian Beer:  No journey to Brussels could be full with out attempting a few of their well-known Belgian beers. With practically 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 wonderful time in both metropolis, however total, I’d say that Lyon is the higher day journey from Paris. 

A lot of Lyon’s points of interest are situated shut to one another, making it simple to do plenty of sightseeing throughout your day journey to Lyon.

For the most effective 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 ideas will assist you’ve gotten an incredible journey.  Lace up your sneakers and let’s go!