Lyon is one of the very few cities that would manage not to be overshadowed by Paris, the French capital, while being so close to it (two hours by TGV). Lyon is home to a vivid gay nightlife, exquisite Roman ruins, a big renaissance old town, and a rich food tradition that has gifted the city the title of the gastronomic capital of France.
Lyon is a city of surprises and hidden treasures. But why should you visit Lyon with your other half? Among others, Lyon is also a fabulous city with many, many romantic things to do, although it all starts from Lyon’s overall stylish and quirky atmosphere.
So, before finding out how a gay couple can spend its fabulous holidays in Lyon, let’s explore a hotel and the private nest of your upcoming trip in Lyon.
Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache Hotel – Stay in Style!
Located at the beautiful Presqu'île quarter at downtown Lyon, the iconic Mercure Lyon Centre Château Perrache hotel will be the perfect host for romantic gay trip in Lyon. The hotel features 6 types of bedrooms ranging from Superior Rooms with 1 double bed to Suites with 1 double bed and 1 double sofa bed.
All rooms are spacious enough and most of them are ideal for couples. For romantic gay holidays, we highly recommend the Privilege Room with 1 double bed and 1 single bed or the Classic Room with 1 double bed. Both rooms are comfortable and excel in design. They also include advanced facilities and services like free Wi-Fi and iPhone/iPad docking station.
Since you have now found your private nest in Lyon, it's high time we discovered how you can spend a weekend in the city with your other half.
1. Take a stroll hand-in-hand at Lyon's picturesquare, historical alleys!
Lyon is a beautiful city, packed with picturesque alleys and romantic cobblestone streets to walk with your other half hand-in-hand. The Saint-Jean quarter of the Vieux Lyon District is packed with beautiful Renaissance-style building to explore. The island of ile Barbe that stands tall in the middle of the Saone River and its natural landscape will surprise you.
A stroll at the city's beautiful parks is a must. Visit the wonderful Rose Garden in the Parc des Hauteurs, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views over the city, or take a longer walk at France's largest city park, Parc de la Tete d'Or.
Keep in mind to discover at least some of Lyon's 230 mysterious hidden passages, called "traboules". They are used as shortcuts between the streets, however, they are more exciting than you think.
2. Dine at the fancy eateries at the so-called food capital of the world!
For more than 80 years, Lyon has been called the food capital of the world, and it's no wonder why. Lyon is home to more than 1,500 eateries, ranging from fancy gourmet restaurants to small eateries serving the original French cuisine. The simple yet elegant cuisine of Lyon is hard to ignore for anyone who visits the city.
Add a sprinkle of romance and a touch of elegance to your dining experience by visiting one of the numerous amazing restaurants of the city. Make an appointment for two, and ask for a romantic candlelight setting to enjoy your most romantic dinner in Lyon. If you are not fan of such cheezy situations, simply visit one of the regional eateries - you will love it.
To make things easier for you, we recommend you arrange your romantic dinner at the hotel's stunning restaurant. The restaurant has a unique setting with vintage furniture, ideal for hipsters.
3. Go shopping at Lyon Part Dieu Shopping Center!
At the heart of Lyon lies one of the biggest shopping malls in Europe and the most popular shopping center in Lyon, Par Dieu Shopping Center. The shopping center has five floors and a plethora of shops, restaurants as well as multiplex cinema. There, you will find many popular fashion houses as well as popular mid-range brands.
So, is there a more fun experience to do rather than take your boyfriend with you and shop? Of course, this also gives you the opportunity to surprise your boyfriend with a small present. He will surely love it!
4. Party at Lyon's vivid Gay Nightlife!
The night is young and in Lyon it's more fabulous than anywhere else. Lyon is home to a wide diversity of gay bars, gay dance clubs, gay cruise clubs, saunas and massage shops. If you are lucky, you may also encounter a couple of gay events in the city.
For an elegant night-out, you can visit one of the numerous gay bars, where you can enjoy cocktails and frozen droughts of beer. Some great bars that you can visit include La Ruche, L'Etoile Opera, and Drole de Zebre.
For partying, you can visit the Factory Club which is actually a dance party that happens every saturday. From drag queens, to laser shows, get ready to see everything. Or, you could visit It Bar, which is famous for its amazing 80's music, playing from WHAM to Madonna.
These are the four activities that you can do if you are visiting Lyon for a weekend. Have you ever visited Lyon before? If not, you can schedule your trip right now, by checking prices directly at the hotel here. If you have visited Lyon before, let us know of more activities that a gay couple can do in the city.