Lyon Boat Tours: Fun & Easy Lyon Sightseeing Cruises

Planning a trip to Lyon? Don’t miss out on taking one of these top Lyon boat tours — it’s the perfect way to continue sightseeing while giving your feet a break!

I’ve visited Lyon several times, and I just got back from a 2-week Lyon trip (which was amazing!). One of my favorite things to do is to take a Saône river cruise.

There are several Lyon river cruises to choose from, whether you want to take a 1-hour sightseeing cruise or enjoy a more leisurely restaurant cruise with a delicious meal.

Ready to learn about all the best boat tours in Lyon? Lace up your shoes and let’s go!

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Sightseeing Lyon River Cruises

Even if you have just one day in Lyon, I highly recommend taking one of these 1-hour river cruises. They’re not very expensive, and it’s a great way to see more of Lyon’s top attractions while giving your feet a break.

Most of the Lyon sightseeing cruises are offered by Les Bateaux Lyonnais. (Sometimes listed as the Lyon City Boat.)

Choose from three different cruise itineraries. I think the Cap Presqu’île route is the best for first-time visitors to Lyon.

The 1-hour cruises depart from 2 Quai des Célestins, right next to the Passerelle du Palais-de-Justice pedestrian bridge.

(If you don’t speak French, be sure to book a cruise with English commentary. You don’t want to miss out on the interesting trivia about Lyon’s famous attractions!)

Tip: You can take a sightseeing river cruise for free when you buy a Lyon city card!

1. Cap Presqu’île

I think the Cap Presqu’île is the best Lyon boat tour, especially if it’s your first trip to Lyon.

On this river tour of Lyon you’ll see both Vieux Lyon and the Confluence area.

As you head up the Saône, you’ll pass by the colorful Renaissance buildings of historic Vieux Lyon.

Look for the Notre Dame Basilica and the Lyon’s Metallic Tower sitting atop Fourvière Hill. Be on the lookout for Lyon’s famous mural, the Fresque des Lyonnais.

As you head downstream, admire two of the most beautiful churches in Vieux Lyon: the Saint Jean Cathedral and St. George’s Church.

Marvel at the modern architecture of Lyon’s Presqu’île district and at the tip of the peninsula, see the unique Musée des Confluences.

On this boat trip through Lyon, you get to see a little bit of everything!

2. Cap Île Barbe

If you want to get off the beaten path in Lyon, the Cap Île Barbe cruise is the best choice for you!

This sightseeing boat ride heads upstream, passing through Lyon’s Old Town before circling the small island of Île Barbe.

Just like on the Cap Presqu’île route, take in the charming buildings of Old Lyon and admire the ever-changing views of the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica looking down upon Lyon.

See if you can spot L’Homme de la Roche (the man in the rock) as you pass by the northern edge of Vieux Lyon.

Once you reach Île Barbe, have your camera ready to take some photos of the picturesque church tower!

3. Cap Confluence / Cap Musée

The third river tour option is the Cap Confluence, or Cap Musée.

On this cruise, you head downstream along the Saône. You’ll pass by the stunning Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral and the St. George Church in Vieux Lyon.

The main focus of this cruise is on the modern architecture in the Confluence area.

On my boat tour the guide told us about local nicknames for the modern buildings, including ‘the Orange Cube’ and ‘the Pencil Sharpener’.

You’ll see the Musée des Confluences from many angles as you round the tip of the peninsula.

The boat docks briefly to let passengers disembark of they purchased the combo river cruise/museum pass, and then you head back to the starting point.

(If you were planning to visit the Musée des Confluences, the combo ticket is a pretty good deal. It’s only a couple euro more than the cruise-only rate, and the museum is pretty far away from most other Lyon attractions.)

Lyon Restaurant Cruises

If you’re looking to add something special to your trip to Lyon, why not take a lunch or dinner cruise?

Les Bateaux Lyonnais offer two great restaurant cruises in Lyon aboard the Hermes and Hermes II. You can book a lunch cruise or choose this dinner cruise, and they offer discounted rates for children.

The lunch cruise in Lyon is a 2.5-hour scenic voyage. Choose from multiple options on their seasonal 3-course menu, then sit back and savor the delicious Lyonnais dishes as you feast your eyes on the beautiful sights of Lyon.

(There is also a 5.5-hour lunch cruise available, but I’d rather take the shorter lunch cruise and spend the rest of the afternoon sightseeing on my own).

Prefer to take a Lyon dinner cruise and relax after a busy day of sightseeing? That sounds like a good plan! Enjoy freshly prepared seasonal dishes from the 3-course menu as you glide past Lyon’s most famous attractions.

The menus look incredible — I’d have a hard time choosing. (That’s why Chris and I always order different things at a restaurant — so that we can sample twice as many dishes!)

Prefer a more intimate experience? You’ll love taking this Lyon city cruise on a yacht! Nibble on charcuterie and cheese while you sip wine and take in the gorgeous Lyon views.

Final Thoughts:

Taking a Saône River cruise is the perfect way to see the sights of Lyon. Whether you take a sightseeing city cruise or enjoy a three-course meal on a Lyon dinner cruise, you’re sure to have a fabulous time!

Here are some more posts to help you plan your trip to Lyon:

• Best Things to Do and See in Lyon
• Best Lyon Food Tours in Lyon France
• Best Foods to Eat in Lyon
• Ultimate Guide to Vieux Lyon
• Romantic Things to Do in Lyon for Couples
• Top Museums in Lyon

Planning a trip to Lyon? You’ll definitely want to book one of these river cruises, so pin this for later!