Day Trips from Lyon Without a Car: 5 Nature Escapes to Discover
- Audrey
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Staying in Lyon and craving fresh air? Good news: some of the most rewarding day trips from Lyon don't require a car at all. Regional trains, the unified TCL network and scenic bus lines bring you directly to rolling countryside, medieval villages, Roman ruins and forested hilltops — all within an hour of the city centre. In this guide, we share five car-free itineraries that suit nature lovers, couples and families alike. And if you're looking for a perfect base, La Bergerie — our family-run B&B in Pollionnay — sits at the heart of the Lyonnais hills, ready to welcome you.
Why Explore Lyon's Countryside by Public Transport?
Lyon is remarkably well connected to its rural surroundings. From Lyon Saint-Paul or Gorge-de-Loup stations, the TER regional train reaches L'Arbresle in just 30 minutes. Vienne is 18 minutes south of Lyon Part-Dieu. The Beaujolais wine region is 22 minutes north. Since 2025, the integrated TCL ticketing system covers buses, trams and trains across the greater Lyon area, making car-free travel more straightforward than ever.
Travelling without a car also means slowing down: watching the landscape unfold through a train window, arriving relaxed, and exploring at your own pace. This is the spirit of slow travel — and the spirit of La Bergerie.
5 Car-Free Day Trips from Lyon
1. L'Arbresle & Le Corbusier's Convent — architecture meets forest hiking
Hop on the TER from Lyon Saint-Paul (line 22) and in 30 minutes you're in L'Arbresle. A 10-minute walk from the station leads to the Couvent Sainte-Marie de la Tourette, a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Le Corbusier. Regular guided visits and contemporary art exhibitions make this a fascinating cultural stop.
From L'Arbresle, a well-marked 12.6 km trail climbs through pine forests to the Cols de la Luère and Croix du Ban, with sweeping panoramas over Lyon and the Alps on clear days. Moderate level. Allow 4 hours walking. La Bergerie, 15 km away, is a natural place to stay and extend this into a two-night trip.
• Transport: TER from Lyon Saint-Paul / Gorge-de-Loup — ~30 min
• Duration: full day (start by 8:30 AM)
• Level: moderate — 12.6 km, 500 m elevation gain
• Highlights: Couvent de la Tourette (UNESCO), Crêts Boisés nature reserve
2. Vienne — Roman heritage just 18 minutes from Lyon
Jump on a southbound TER from Lyon Part-Dieu or Perrache — trains run every 20 minutes during peak hours — and in just 18 minutes you step into one of France's finest Gallo-Roman cities. The Roman Theatre (entry ~€6) is among the best-preserved in Europe and hosts the famous Jazz à Vienne festival each summer. The Cathedral Saint-Maurice, with its 13th-century stained glass, is also worth a visit.
Allow a half day to wander the old streets, browse the Saturday market, and enjoy lunch by the Rhône. A perfect outing for history lovers, families and travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-path slice of France.
• Transport: TER Lyon Part-Dieu / Perrache → Vienne — 18 min, frequent service
• Duration: half day to full day
• Level: easy — flat city walking
• Highlights: Roman Theatre, Temple of Augustus, riverside dining
3. Pérouges — a medieval village frozen in time
Northeast of Lyon, Pérouges is one of France's best-preserved medieval villages. Take the TER from Lyon Part-Dieu to Meximieux-Pérouges station (about 40 min), then walk or take a local bus 3 km uphill to the village. Cobblestone streets, timber-framed houses and the central Place de la Halle transport you back to the 15th century. Don't leave without tasting the local tarte au sucre (sugar tart) — a regional speciality.
• Transport: TER Lyon Part-Dieu → Meximieux-Pérouges — ~40 min
• Duration: half day (3–4 hours on site)
• Level: easy — village stroll
• Highlights: Porte d'En-Bas gate, Hôtel-Dieu, tarte au sucre tasting
4. Monts du Lyonnais — hiking straight from the doorstep
Guests staying at La Bergerie in Pollionnay have something no Lyon hotel can offer: trails that start right at the door. The Col de la Luère and the Crêts Boisés nature reserve are walkable from the village. Loops of 9 to 13 km wind through pine forests, past rolling meadows and along ridgelines with Alpine views. A gentle, immersive experience for all levels.
For travellers coming from Lyon without a car, the TER to L'Arbresle followed by the local TCL bus (line 2Ex or 580) connects to the area in about one hour total.
• Transport: on foot from La Bergerie / TER + bus from Lyon
• Duration: full day
• Level: easy to moderate depending on route
• Highlights: Col de la Luère panorama, Larny Romanesque chapel, Alpine views
5. Beaujolais wine country — golden-stone villages and vineyard walks
Head north in just 22 minutes by TER on the Lyon–Villefranche-sur-Saône line and you enter one of France's most celebrated wine regions. Villages like Oingt and Bagnols, built of the local golden limestone, feature on the "Plus Beaux Villages de France" list. Several estates near the train stations offer tastings of Moulin-à-Vent, Morgon and other Beaujolais crus.
• Transport: TER Lyon Part-Dieu → Villefranche-sur-Saône — ~22 min, then local bus
• Duration: full day
• Level: easy — village walks and vineyard strolls
• Highlights: Oingt village, vineyard tastings, Mont Brouilly viewpoint
La Bergerie: Your Nature Base in the Lyonnais Hills
Set in the village of Pollionnay, 20 minutes from central Lyon, La Bergerie is a warm, family-run B&B run by Audrey. Choose from four comfortable rooms (all air-conditioned with private bathrooms) or the charming off-beat roulotte with its private hot tub. A generous homemade breakfast is served every morning, and table d'hôtes dinners using local produce are available on request.
Whether you want to hike straight from the door, explore L'Arbresle and the Corbusier convent, or hop on a TER to Vienne or Pérouges, La Bergerie puts you in the perfect position. Browse our rooms page for availability, or read our local hiking guide to plan your routes.
KEY TAKEAWAYS — Day Trips from Lyon Without a Car
• Vienne: 18 min by TER — outstanding Gallo-Roman heritage
• L'Arbresle & La Tourette: 30 min — UNESCO architecture + forest hiking
• Pérouges: ~40 min — immaculate medieval village
• Monts du Lyonnais: hiking on foot from La Bergerie, no transport needed
• Beaujolais: 22 min — golden villages, vineyards and wine tastings
Practical Tips for Car-Free Day Trips
Check train times at the TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes website or SNCF Connect app before you go — weekday tickets often come at reduced rates. Since 2025, the unified TCL network covers both trains and buses around greater Lyon with a single ticket. Downloadable hiking maps for the Monts du Lyonnais are available on the Monts du Lyonnais Tourisme website. The Pays de l'Arbresle Tourist Office also publishes detailed walking guides for the L'Arbresle area.
FAQ — Day Trips from Lyon Without a Car
Can you really do nature day trips from Lyon without a car?
Absolutely. The TER regional network and the unified TCL system connect Lyon's city-centre stations to countryside destinations in under an hour. L'Arbresle, Vienne, Pérouges and the Beaujolais are all reachable by train. Guests at La Bergerie can even hike directly from the property without any transport.
How long does it take to reach the Monts du Lyonnais from Lyon?
By TER from Lyon Saint-Paul or Gorge-de-Loup, L'Arbresle is about 30 minutes away. From there, the Monts du Lyonnais trails are accessible on foot. La Bergerie in Pollionnay is roughly 20 minutes by car from central Lyon, or reachable via L'Arbresle and a local bus connection.
What should I pack for a hike in the Lyonnais hills?
Walking or trail shoes are essential for the forest paths. Bring at least 1.5 litres of water per person, a snack or picnic lunch, and weather-appropriate clothing. In summer, sun protection is important on exposed ridgelines. Most trails are marked in yellow (PDIPR). GPX files are downloadable from the Monts du Lyonnais Tourisme website.
Can I reach La Bergerie without a car?
La Bergerie in Pollionnay is best reached by car. However, once you're with us, most hikes and outdoor activities start right from the village — no transport needed. We're happy to share local knowledge about the best routes on foot.
Can I combine several day trips in one stay?
A two-night stay at La Bergerie is ideal for mixing experiences: a morning hike in the Monts du Lyonnais, then a TER trip to Vienne or Pérouges the next day. Your host Audrey is always on hand to tailor suggestions to your interests and fitness level.
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