Literary Lyon: A Bookworm’s Guide to the City of Lights

Calling all bookworms! Lyon, France, is your next must-visit destination.

Lyon often gets overlooked by tourists, who flock to the more popular Paris and Marseille. But France’s third largest city is also a designated UNESCO City of Literature. As a fellow bibliophile with a serious case of wanderlust, I’ve always been drawn to cities steeped in literary history.

This vibrant city, situated in the heart of the Rhône river valley, exceeded all my expectations. There is so much to do in Lyon, especially for bibliophiles. 

During a visit to Lyon, you can explore its history as one of the most important book printing capitals of the western world during the Renaissance, enjoy some fantastic bookstores, and pay homage to some of France’s most beloved writers who have called Lyon home. 

In this post, I’ll be your literary guide to Lyon, sharing my favorite bookish haunts and experiences. We’ll uncover the city’s fascinating printing heritage, explore captivating bookstores tucked away in traboules (secret passageways in Lyon’s Old Town), and walk in the footsteps of renowned Lyonnaise writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. 

Get ready to be swept away by Lyon’s unique blend of history, culture, and literary magic! But don’t forget to pin this post for later, and sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss out on any more travel and reading tips for bookworms.

Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.

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The Bibliothèque de la Cité Mural

Let’s start off our literary tour of Lyon with a stop at one of the city’s most recognizable murals, the Bibliothèque de la Cité. This mural covers the entire facade of a seven-story building on the banks of the Saône River and gives it the impression of being a massive library, bookstore, and book café all-in-one. 

This incredible work of literary art was born from a student movement in the 1970s. A group of young artists in Lyon wanted to make art more accessible to everyone by taking art to the streets, not just displaying it in museums and galleries. They were inspired by the vibrant mural tradition in Mexico, where artists like Diego Rivera used murals to tell stories and convey political messages. The result was the formation of Lyon’s CitéCréation, a collective dedicated to transforming the city with large-scale paintings.

This art piece has to be seen to be believed, and even then, you’ll find yourself double-and triple-checking that what you’re seeing isn’t actually real, all due to the fantastic use of the Trompe-l’Oeil technique. 

I loved taking in the “Library of the City” in Lyon, with its larger-than-life scale and incredible use of 3-D techniques. The artists have cleverly used perspective and shadow to create the illusion of a multi-story library, complete with balconies, windows, and, of course, shelves upon shelves of books. 

It’s like stepping into a book lover’s fantasy, all celebrating Lyon’s literary heritage. Look closely, and you’ll spot portraits of famous authors from the region, including Louise Labé, Frédéric Dard, and Jean Reverzy. Some books are painted lying open, displaying quotes from some of their famous works. 

Of all the book-themed murals I’ve encountered in my travels, this one is undoubtedly my favorite. It’s a testament to the power of art to transform public spaces and inspire a love of reading. If you’re a book lover visiting Lyon, this mural is an absolute must-see!

Location: 6 rue de la Platière, Lyon 1st arrondissement

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The Musée de l’Imprimerie, or Museum of Book Printing 

Lyon is a city with a bookish history dating as far back as the beginning of book printing in Europe. In the mid-16th century, 600 people made their living from printing in Lyon, and it was a major center for book printing during the Renaissance, second only to Venice. 

So of course, Lyon has a museum dedicated to the history of book printing, which will appeal to any bookish travelers in France. Housed in a beautiful Renaissance building, the Musée de l’Imprimerie et de la Communication Graphique (Museum of Book Printing and Graphic Communication) takes you on a journey through the evolution of printing, from ancient scrolls to the Gutenberg revolution and beyond.

As you know, I’ll always keep it 100 with you, so I’ll tell you straight out that this museum isn’t the most interactive one I’ve visited. It relies heavily on informative plaques (thankfully in both English and French!), and many of the items on display are replicas rather than originals. But don’t let that deter you! 

The museum does a great job of showcasing the history of printing and Lyon’s pivotal role in it, even if its displays aren’t especially creative. You’ll still get to see examples of early printing presses, intricate typefaces, and beautifully illustrated books. I think it’s hard not to walk away having learned a few things, and I’d say it is a better book printing museum than the Gutenberg Museum in Germany. 

If you’re a history buff or simply curious about the origins of the book, the Musée de l’Imprimerie is worth a visit. It’s a great way to appreciate the craftsmanship and ingenuity that went into creating the books we cherish today, and its location in the heart of the old city makes it easy to stop in for just an hour or two during a day of sightseeing in Lyon.

Practical Information:

• Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM
• Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
• Admission: €6 (permanent collection) or €8 (includes temporary exhibitions), Kids <18 are free, free admission with the Lyon City Card
• As always, verify times and prices on the official website

Note: The museum is not fully accessible to wheelchair users due to the building’s layout.

Location: 13 rue de la Poulaillerie, 69002 Lyon, 2nd arrondissement

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Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s birthplace plaque

Lyon is also famous for more recent literary connections. It is the birthplace of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of the beloved classic, The Little Prince. 

Saint-Exupéry was born in Lyon on June 29, 1900, at what is now 8 Rue Saint-Exupéry (though it was Rue Alphonse Fochier at the time). He spent his early childhood in Lyon and went to school in town at at Collège Saint-Barthélemy.

Now, they’ve named the street on which he lived after him — the Rue Saint-Exupéry. While the building in which he lived is privately owned and can’t be toured, bookworms can still stop by to have a look at the telltale blue plaque outside as well as the carved tribute to the author in the arched doorway. 

As you travel around Lyon, keep an eye out for the many tributes to their most beloved author. For example, Lyon’s international airport and its corresponding train station both bear his name. 

Location: 8 Rue Saint-Exupéry

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Statue of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the Little Prince

Just a short stroll from Saint-Exupéry’s birthplace, you’ll find another tribute to the author in the iconic city square, Place Bellecour. Here, a statue of Saint-Exupéry and his character the Little Prince stands atop a tall white column, gazing out over the city.

It’s an adorable sculpture, but you’ll have to look up to spot it! The figures are perched high above the bustling square, almost as if they’ve just landed from one of their interplanetary adventures. It’s a delightful reminder of the power of imagination and the enduring legacy of The Little Prince, and any bookworm in Lyon will want to track it down for a photo. 

Location: Place Bellecour, Lyon

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The Little Prince gift shop  

You’ll find the Little Prince themed souvenirs in shops across Lyon, but there’s one in the heart of Vieux Lyon (old Lyon) dedicated exclusively to the timeless classic. The Little Prince gift shop is just plain adorable and a store that any fan of the book won’t want to miss. 

You can find whimsical treasures like Little Prince notebooks, water bottles, magnets, snow globes, coasters, and more. It’s the perfect place to find a unique and memorable souvenir or gift from Lyon. 

Location: Rue Saint-Jean and Rue de la Fronde in Vieux Lyon

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Lyon Bookstores 

There are so many incredible Paris bookstores, I never thought Lyon could compare. But Lyon has a fantastic number of bookstores all over the city, including a bookstore with a jaw-dropping entrance through a literal archway of books. 

To decide which ones to prioritize during your Lyon explorations, check out my complete guide to the best Lyon bookstores.

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Book Festivals

Lyon continues to earn its reputation as a UNESCO City of Literature, hosting several book festivals throughout the year. 

If you happen to be in Lyon in May, don’t miss the Literature Live Festival at the Villa Gillet. It’s an international event that brings together writers, artists, and thinkers from around the world for a week of literary immersion. The festival features thought-provoking discussions, author readings, and even literary DJ sets! It’s a chance to dive deep into the world of books and connect with fellow bookworms in the City of Lights.

If you’re a fan of crime fiction, you will love the Quais du Polar that takes over Lyon every April. This festival has been going strong for 20 years, and it’s become a major event on the European literary scene. Crime fiction fans will love all the author talks, film screenings, theater, and even urban investigations, all tailored to fans of the genre.

For comic book aficionados, the Lyon BD Festival in June is your time to shine! This festival is dedicated to celebrating comics and graphic novels, bringing together creators and readers for a program of exhibitions, workshops, and discussion.

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Where to stay in Lyon

Lyon is much larger than people realize — it is the third largest city in France! If you want to be central to the sights, consider staying in the 1st or 2nd arrondissement, though expect to pay higher prices for less space. If you want to find more budget accommodations, consider staying outside the city and taking the train in — for example, check in Villefranche-sur-Saône, which is only a 25-minute train ride away.

If you’re looking for privately owned vacation rentals, I recommend checking VRBO. I’ve personally had much better experiences with their owners and rentals than I have with their primary competitor.

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That should be enough to fill up an entire Lyon weekend itinerary! What other bookish cities have surprised you?

Don’t forget to pin this post for later, and share it with all your literary travel besties.