Lyon’s covered Les Halles Market (Les Halles Paul Bocuse has been open since 1970. They’re named in honor of Paul Bocuse, a legendary figure on both the French and international cooking scene. More than 95% of the shops are run by business owners who really know their products.
Affectionately known as “the belly of Paris,” Les Halles was once the site of Paris’ bustling central food market. A focal point of the city since the 11th century, the food stalls were dismantled in the 1970s to make room for the Forum des Halles shopping center and metro station. Completely renovated in 2010, the undulating glass-and-steel covering—known as La Canopée—is one of the most striking examples of contemporary architecture in the city.
Home to one of France’s most outstanding art collections, the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon) is often described as the “little Louvre.” Housed in a restored, 17th-century convent, the museum’s collection spans from antiquity to the modern age—so you can explore Egyptian artifacts and Cubist canvases under one roof.
Thespians and theater enthusiasts shouldn't miss Lyon's historic Célestins Theater (Théâtre des Célestins, which has been operating for more than 200 years. Visitors can attend a performance, or uncover the theater's history on a behind-the-scenes tour. Enjoy the lavish foyer, ornate bar, and lovingly renovated red and gold auditorium.
If you’ve ever wanted to see movie props up close, or you’re just looking for a good rainy-day destination where you can take a break from wandering cobblestone streets, head over to the Musée Miniature et Cinéma (Cinema and Miniature Museum). In a stately building in Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon), you’ll find real objects from hundreds of films, mini masterpieces, and more.
In the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, the chic ski town of Megève is best known for its Mont Blanc views and understated elegance, which draws an A-list crowd. Rustic-luxe hotels, boutiques, and restaurants garner as much attention as Megève’s ski slopes, while its medieval, cobblestone streets give the town its romantic, old-world atmosphere.
The Aiguille du Midi peak near Chamonix sits at a dizzying altitude of 12, 391 feet (3,777 meters), making it the closest point that sightseers can get to the Mont Blanc summit. Accessed via cable car, the peak offers viewing platforms, photo attractions, and a gondola to Italy; serious skiers use it as the starting point for the famous off-piste Vallée Blanche descent.
Lyon is full of clandestine alleyways, seemingly tucked away from the eyes of those passing through. But these historic UNESCO-listed traboules and courtyards are actually open to the public to explore, offering a labyrinth of passageways, staircases, and tunnels that link streets together, providing shortcuts for those in the know.
Before 1895, photography was cutting-edge technology. Then, the Lumière brothers changed image-making forever with the Cinematograph, which produced the first moving pictures. Visit the birthplace of this radical invention at Lyon's Lumière Institute (Institut Lumière, a museum, cultural space, and theater celebrating cinema's origins.
Chamonix’s Amusement Park is open year-round and offers plenty of family-friendly fun from giant swings, electric motorcycles, and water games in the summer to skiing, arcade games, and more during the winter months. The park’s most popular attraction is the exhilarating 4,265-feet (1300-meter long Alpine Coaster, which twists and turns down the mountainside.
Semnoz is one of the most famous mountains of the Bauges range in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in eastern France. It’s a skiing destination that’s also popular in summer for mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing. If sports aren’t your thing, the birds eye view over Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountain peaks make visiting worthwhile.
All about the wine and the vine, the Hameau Duboeuf is a theme park in the heart of France’s Beaujolais region. Wander around the museum, learn about wine production, or play a round of mini-golf. This family-friendly destination is a fun place to explore wine while enjoying the scenic countryside.
After the occupation of northern France by the Nazis in World War II, Lyon became the center of the French Resistance until a German crackdown in 1942. Learn more about the role this undercover organization played—and its brutal repression—at the Resistance and Deportation History Centre.
The Lyon Museum of Contemporary Art (Musée d'art Contemporain de Lyon is a beacon of modernity in an ancient city, showcasing works by emerging global artists. Enjoy three floors of galleries, rotating temporary exhibitions, and site-specific works. Dine alfresco on the terrace at the Café du Musée, or visit the bookstore for a souvenir.
For a bird’s-eye view of historic Lyon, don’t miss the largest animated miniature park in France. At Mini World Lyon, explore four different worlds, around 1,000 mini buildings, and top sights such as Tête d’Or park and Fourvière Hill. You’ll also find a 3D cinema and unique temporary exhibits.
Beyond its pivotal role in the French justice system, the Lyon Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice Historique de Lyon is a marvelous architectural statement on the banks of the Saône River. The neoclassical detailing, fluted exterior columns, and river views make this 19th century building a worthy stop on a tour of Old Town Lyon (Vieux Lyon.
Housed in the 20th-century Chamonix Palace, the Alpine Museum (or Le Musee Alpin celebrates the history of the Chamonix Valley and notable ascents of Mont Blanc. The museum’s collection of vintage mountain climbing equipment, old photographs, and maps draw visitors interested in mountaineering history and the development of tourism in the valley.
For a new-fangled take on old-fashioned entertainment, head to Futuroscope, the futuristic amusement park that offers high-tech interactive and immersive experiences for the whole family. Take in shows at IMAX and dynamic cinemas, hop on thrilling adventure rides, and learn about science and technology via engaging exhibits.
The distinctive blue icefields of the Bossons Glacier (Glacier des Bossons hovers over the town of Chamonix just below the Mont Blanc massif. Once stretching from the Mont Blanc summit to the village of Les Bossons below, the glacier has retreated in recent years. With chairlift service and plenty of easy hiking trails, the Bossons Glacier is one of the most easily accessible glacier hikes from Chamonix.
According to the legend, kiss your lover on this modest little footbridge and you’ll stay together forever. Or, you can simply take a photo on the Bridge of Love (Pont des Amours) and treasure the snapshot forever. With its romantic backdrop of Lake Annecy and the French Alps, this bridge has become a must-visit attraction, so choose a quiet morning to visit if you can.
Dating back to the 13th century, the Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption is among Evian's key historical attractions. The exterior is a fantastic example of Savoyard-style Gothic architecture, but it's worth heading inside to see the church's large collection of art and its massive pipe organ.
The Step into the Void (Aiguille du Midi Skywalk)is a glass room suspended 12,604 feet (3,842 meters) high on the summit of Aiguille du Midi mountain. Reinforced by strong steel and set on the edge of a steep cliff, the transparent box offers unobstructed views of Europe’s highest peaks, with nothing but air below.
Located 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) outside Chamonix city center, Lake Gaillands (Lac des Gaillands) is a man-made lake created in the early 1900s during excavation work for a nearby train line. The site quickly filled with water, creating an outdoor recreation area frequented by locals and visitors who enjoy hiking, fishing, and rock climbing at the lake.
This family-friendly theme park dedicated to the history and science of volcanoes is set in the heart of Auvergne’s Chaîne des Puys, a UNESCO-listed chain of dormant volcanoes in central France. Visit Vulcania to learn how volcanoes are formed, erupt, and eventually go extinct via interactive and multimedia exhibits and activities.
Grands Montets Ski Area (Les Grands Montets) is the biggest and most popular ski area in Chamomix, boasting some of the largest vertical drops in the world at more than 6,561 feet (2,000 meters). Huge areas of the mountain are left ungroomed, making it a mecca for off-piste enthusiasts. The snow is exceptional here both early and late in the season.
Visitors of all ages will find plenty of ways to spend a fun-filled day at Walibi Rhône-Alpes. Thrill seekers can head straight for the roller coasters, while others might prefer the bumper cars, water rides, and petting zoo. Or, check out one of Walibi’s circus-style shows.
Boasting views of Mt. Blanc and exhibits about humans in the mountains, the Maison du Salève is a must for mountain lovers. The former 18th-century farmhouse near Geneva is packed with displays to interest both adults and children. You can trace the history, research, and sports of La Salève and the peaks beyond, and stroll the gardens for sweeping views.
The former summer house of Antoine Lumière, whose sons—the Lumière Brothers—were pioneers in early filmmaking technology, the Villa Lumière is among Evian-les-Bains’ finest examples of Belle Epoque architecture. Today, it houses the city’s Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall).
Overlooking Lake Geneva near the border with Switzerland, the Casino d'Evian is a large complex featuring table and electronic games, live entertainment, and plenty of dining options. It's also known for its Belle Epoque architecture and beautiful frescoed interiors.
On the banks of Lake Geneva, the Palais Lumière was once a thriving spa and bathhouse, offering visitors and residents a convenient way to "take the waters." Today, this neoclassical building functions as a museum and meeting center, with conference rooms and a public exhibition hall.
