10 Things to Do in Lyon in November

From film festivals to wine and chocolate tastings, here are some of the best things to see and do in Lyon during the eleventh month of the year. This month's activities also include several musical events, so if music is your thing, you'll also have plenty of options to keep you entertained.

International culture is also on the agenda in Lyon this month, thanks to festivals dedicated to Japanese culture and Italian culture. But French history and traditions are not left out with festivals dedicated to highlighting contemporary and street art.

If you're a fan of cinema of other nationalities, you can't miss Lyon's Festival du Film Italien, which is the first and largest film festival paying tribute to Italian cinema in France. You can go and enjoy the show every year in November, and as part of the event you'll enjoy screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumiere.

During the opening night, some of the classics of Italian cinema are screened, followed by a party where you'll learn a little more about Italian culture. This festival usually takes place as part of the celebration of Italian culture, which also takes place in Lyon in November, called Italíssimo.

There is no doubt that attending these festivals is one of the best things to do in Lyon in November because, although the programme of these festivals may change from year to year, they always take place during the month of November and their main objective is to show to those present, all the culture, literature and history of Italy.

Details of interest

• Price: to enjoy these shows you will have to pay an entrance fee of approximately 10-15 euros per person.
• Date and time: usually takes place during the first week of November.
• Location: Film screenings take place in the Grand Theatre Lumiere and other enclosed spaces within the city.

It's clear that Lyon and the entire southern region of France is known for its wine industry, which is why Sous les pavés, la vigne is a wine tasting event that aims to show locals and visitors alike, all the pieces that make up this great industry that sustains the city's economy.

The best thing about this event is that you can discover the secrets of the great vintages, while learning how to make incredible pairings with food. The setting of this event gives it a special touch, because it takes place in the Palais de la Bourse, which is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Lyon.

But although this is definitely one of the best wine tours in Lyon, because it takes you all over France in one drink, the truth is that you will not only meet exhibitors of this liquor, but you can also learn about the work of brewers and chefs from all over the country.

Interesting details

• Price: to enter this event for one day only, you would have to pay between 25 and 30 euros per ticket, while if you want to participate in both sessions, you will have to pay around 60 euros.
• Date and time: usually takes place during the second weekend of November in the afternoon and evening.
• Location: the event takes place at the Palais de la Bourse.

This is definitely one of the most anticipated events for the locals and one that you as a tourist should not miss. I would say that it is one of those activities that you have to include in your list of best things to see and do in Lyon with children because at the event they will have the opportunity to go on different mechanical attractions.

Also for the adults there is enough entertainment in this Chestnut Festival, because you will just have the chance to taste these sweet chestnuts that are so typical in France during the autumn and early winter season, so this event will probably lead you to do one of the best gastronomic tours in Lyon, at least to get to know typical dishes of the season.

Details of interest

• Price: to go to the chestnut show and the mechanical attractions you won't have to pay anything, because this is a free event.
• Date and time: this event usually takes place during the first week of November in the afternoon and evening.
• Location: This fair is usually set up on the Place and Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse.

If you like sport, this is one of the activities not to be missed in November, and one of the best tours in Lyon. It's a race that takes place during one of the first days of the month and consists of walking up the Fourviere hill at dusk.

What you'll love most about the Lyon Urban Trail is that the whole walk is done under moonlight and with plenty of torches and lighting along the way. There are many participants in the event, so you will have the opportunity to share the walk with many other people.

The best part of this event is that when you reach the top you will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city from the top of Fourviere Hill. At this point a group of people will be waiting for you with snacks, drinks and relaxing activities for walkers. Definitely one of the best things to do in Lyon at night during autumn.

Details of interest

• Price: Registration fees vary according to the type of race you want to participate in, but generally start at 12 euros per person.
• Date and time: The race takes place during the first weekend of November and runners and other participants leave the starting area at dusk.
• Location: the section of the race sets up from the banks of the Saône river and climbs up to the Fourviere hill.

For chocolate lovers, the Salon du Chocolat is one of the best events the city of Lyon has to offer during the month of November. Considering the chill of the autumn season, the Chocolate Fair offers you an amazing space where you can taste some of the best chocolates and chocolate products.

The best thing about this event is that it allows you to see and taste the best samples of chocolate made all over the world. But it's not all about tasting, because you can also see exhibitions, take part in workshops and listen to talks related to the world of cocoa and chocolate.

It's a massive event attended by around 6,000 people every year, so among the tips for visiting Lyon this month, I recommend you book well in advance so you don't miss out on your ticket to this event.

Interesting details

• Price: Tickets for this fair usually cost around 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children.
• Date and time: this event usually takes place during the second week of November.
• Location: The Chocolate Fair takes place in the heart of the city of Lyon.

If you are a lover of Japanese culture, this is an event you should not miss. This is Japan Touch, a festival where you will have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate Japanese culture in Lyon. This event is one of the biggest and most important of its kind in France and if there's one thing you'll love about it, it's that you'll be able to see different representations of Japanese culture.

You will love to participate in the different activities offered by this event, among which the origami and calligraphy workshops are the most important ones. If you prefer to learn more about the gastronomic traditions of Japan, you can also take part in classes on Japanese culinary techniques and enjoy the traditional tea ceremony.

Interesting details

• Price: Tickets for this event usually cost between 15 and 25 euros per person.
• Date and time: takes place around the second week of November throughout the day and late into the night.
• Location: this fair usually takes place on the Boulevard de l'Europe in the heart of the city of Lyon.

Most people love a good food festival, and Lyon is home to the Foire Internationale et Festival Gastronomique, which honours the culinary cultures of Lyon, the rest of France and other cities around the world. It is undoubtedly one of the best events to learn more about French cuisine.

But not only will you have the opportunity to learn about and taste French food, you'll also get a taste of international cuisine, sampling some of the most iconic dishes from all cultures.

In the middle of the fair you can learn how to prepare each of these dishes, just before tasting good wine and desserts. As the festival lasts for about a week, during this time you will also taste chocolate from different places.

Interesting details

• Price: you can enter for free after 19:00. Before that time you would have to pay around 5 euros.
• Date and time: this event usually takes place during the first week of November.
• Location: this fair usually takes place somewhere outdoors in the city of Lyon such as the Tête d'Or.

To get to know French culture in depth, I recommend you to go to the Le Marché des Soies festival, which is a textile event where you will have the opportunity to learn a little more about one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the whole of France, which is the making and working of silk as one of its main fabrics.

In this sense, this event is one of the most important of its kind in the city, and within its programme you will have the opportunity to learn about silk, its uses, its manufacture and at the same time you will be able to see and buy the most daring designs of the artisans who gather at the event to show their work.

Details of interest

• Price: it costs around 7 euros to enter a single day of the event, while if you want to go to all the events during the festival, you will have to pay around 15 euros for the full pass.
• Date and time: takes place during the first week of November, between approximately 9:00 and 19:00.
• Location: This event is usually held at the Palais de la Bourse.

The Riddim Collision Festival is dedicated to promoting local artists and showcasing their artwork, so it's one of those events you shouldn't miss if you're into culture and the arts. To enjoy and relax with this festival, you can go and see live performances by local artists, as well as art exhibitions, film screenings and panel discussions on urban culture.

Since the first edition of the Riddim Collision Festival, the event has gained great popularity among the locals in Lyon, so it is a good bet to go to this place to enjoy the live bands, but also to meet and be entertained by the festive and musical atmosphere that is maintained throughout the festival.

Interesting details

• Price: to enter you will have to pay between 15 and 25 euros per ticket.
• Date and time: Events generally take place during the third week of November in the afternoon and evening.
• Location: The festival takes place at the Palais de la Bourse in Lyon.

As the month of November draws to a close and Christmas begins, a magical event in Lyon is the Marché de Noël de Lyon, a traditional Christmas market that opens from the 24th of November, where you can buy everything from Christmas gifts to Christmas food, sweets and traditional drinks.

In addition to all this, you can even buy handmade toys for the children, and you can enjoy music and entertainment throughout the week while the market is going on. There is no doubt that going to the Christmas markets is one of the best things to see and do in Lyon at Christmas time.

Interesting details

• Price: You can enter the markets for free, but you will have to pay when you buy products from the different stalls.
• Date and time: The market opens on 24 November and runs until 31 December.
• Location: this market is set up in the Place Bellecour, an open-air space in the city of Lyon. }

November is still the autumn season, so it's important to pack winter clothes to keep out the cold. You should include layers such as jeans, shirts, T-shirts and sweatshirts in your luggage to make it easier to adapt your clothes to the changing temperatures.

In terms of footwear, I recommend taking snow boots or hiking boots to cover your feet, as well as accessories such as gloves, a hat and scarf to protect you from the cold.