Lyon

The Montée de la Grande-Côte leads uphill from the streets above Place des Terreaux towards the Croix-Rousse plateau. Along the slopes, the former silk-workers’ district has cafés, makers’ shops and traces of its weaving history. Walking downhill is a gentler alternative to the climb. Some traboules pass through residential buildings; use the passages identified as open to visitors and respect the people who live there.

The Presqu’île sits between the two rivers, with squares, shopping streets and nineteenth-century buildings stretching through the centre. A café near the Terreaux can lead to a short walk along the Saône or time spent exploring the surrounding streets. If an exhibition or performance is the main reason for meeting, keeping the rest of the outing nearby leaves more time to enjoy it together.

For a night focused on a new voice, explore French-language concerts at À Thou Bout d’Chant. The small venue on rue de Thou, on the slopes of Croix-Rousse, offers an alternative to a large concert hall. Choose an artist together, then check the event format, reservation arrangements and access information before planning the rest of your evening.