Lyon Weather in December

December feels damp and dim

Lyon's December days are cold, cloudy and often wet. The average high is 7°C, with lows near 1°C, and rain falls on 13 days. You'll get only about 2.5 hours of sun a day, so long outdoor sightseeing can feel chilly.

It's a good month for Lyon's indoor sights: explore the Musée des Beaux-Arts, then warm up over a bowl of onion soup in a bouchon, a traditional Lyonnais restaurant. Save long walks along the Rhône for drier spells. The steep paths up to Fourvière can be slippery when wet, and cloud may hide the view.

Lights, markets and crowds

The Fête des Lumières usually takes place in early December, with light displays across central Lyon. It draws big crowds, so expect packed streets around Place des Terreaux and the Presqu'île during the festival. Dates vary each year. The Christmas market at Place Carnot adds another seasonal stop.

For families who enjoy festive lights, the event can be a highlight, but crowded pavements and cold waits may test young children. Outside the festival and Christmas period, December is generally quieter than summer. Prices can be higher around the Fête des Lumières, while the rest of the month is often a calmer, lower-season time to visit.

Make room for a warm meal

Use wet afternoons for the traboules, Lyon's covered passageways through buildings in Vieux Lyon and the Croix-Rousse. Some are open to visitors, but they're also part of people's homes, so keep your voice low and follow signs.

A practical local tip: head to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse when rain sets in. You can browse Lyon cheeses and praline tart under cover, then sit down for lunch. Check opening hours before you go, as the market isn't open every day.