mardi 4 février 2025

City trip in France: 2 must-see destinations

Pack your bags, get out your maps, and let's discover the hidden treasures of two must-see French cities! Paris and Lyon: two cities, two worlds, but one unique city trip with your family and friends.

Expect delicious lunches, breathtaking panoramas, and maybe even a few unusual discoveries.

Are you ready for a tricolor escapade through France's cobbled streets and lively squares? Let's go for a city trip weekend.

Paris: a city trip in the City of Light

What can you do in Paris in just 48 hours?

How about (re)discovering the city: here's a selection of the best things to do in Paris over a weekend on a "city trip."

Where to have lunch during your trip to Paris?

  • At Gruppomimo! A beautifully decorated Italian restaurant that will delight your taste buds! Ravioli, risotto, pizza - it's their specialty!

  • "La Parenthèse" for brunch by reservation! This is THE brunch destination to avoid hours of queuing and make the most of your weekend in Paris! We recommend... Absolutely everything! From the pancakes to the drinks to the famous crispy chicken.

  • And finally, one last brunch treat overlooking Notre Dame de Paris: "La Crème de Paris"! You'll be spoilt for choice with savory waffles, crêpes, ice creams, and drinks!

Where to stay when you visit Paris?

At Hife Paris Gentilly (or Hife Issy-Les-Moulineaux from mid-June)! Hife welcomes you to a unique co-living residence in Paris! A complete "city trip" experience with a breathtaking rooftop, a gym, a lounge area, and a play and immersion space for cinema, gaming, and billiards fans!

It's much more than a hotel, with comfortable and pleasant rooms, because even when the wind is blowing, it's always good to feel at home! Come and stay for a night, a weekend, or longer!

Since there's a good chance you won't want to leave after your visit, Hife has introduced a late check-out option to extend your stay until 2 or 4 pm.

Paris's first hotel, bar, and restaurant on the water is equally original. OFF Paris Seine welcomes you to live the "city trip" experience on the Seine. It's THE place to be for an unusual night out in the heart of Paris.

The reviews speak for themselves :) Let yourself be seduced by the view from your room: Left Bank or Right Bank, with breakfast and brunch at weekends. There is no spa but a swimming pool overlooking the Seine!

For greater flexibility, the hotel offers a cancellation policy that allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before the start of your stay (with a flexible rate). However, non-refundable reservations cannot be canceled.

A night on the Seine? It's possible, and a dream come true!

What to see in the capital?

The must-sees for a successful weekend in Paris:

  • The Louvre with the family to admire paintings and sculptures

  • Montmartre for picturesque alleyways and quirky boutiques

  • The Seine for an open-air stroll with breathtaking views

  • Place Vendôme for a stroll past luxury boutiques

Each of these places can be reached by Parisian public transport!

More unusual and less touristy places

Discover hidden places in Paris that tourists have not yet discovered:

  • The Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art library is one of the most beautiful libraries in Paris! Its "Labrouste" room is open to the public by appointment and well worth a visit!

  • Why not visit a medieval tower in the heart of Paris? The Tour Jean Sans Peur welcomes you to the last remains of the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne, with temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Lyon: a trip to the capital of gastronomy

For a city trip in France, we can't recommend Lyon enough! Lyon is a first-class destination for a night, a weekend, or a whole week! Whether you're a food lover, architecture buff, or art enthusiast, this city has everything you need for an unforgettable city trip with family or friends.

Where to eat in the capital of gastronomy?

To start your day off right, there's nothing like lunch in one of Lyon's traditional “bouchons”. These small restaurants offer authentic regional cuisine, with dishes that are deliciously rich in flavor. Try the "Bouchon des Filles" for an unforgettable gastronomic experience, where traditional dishes such as quenelle de Brochet or tablier de sapeur are prepared with love and savoir-faire. It's a must for your Lyon city trip! For even more variety, we recommend:

  • Tigermilk for Mexican dishes and cocktails in an incredible setting and architecture.

  • "IT Trattoria" is for a quick Italian lunch on a budget right in the city center.

  • Table et Partage for healthy French gourmet food, a sure bet in France.

Where to stay in Lyon?

The city of Lyon is full of hotels that are simply perfect for a city trip and suit all tastes and budgets. If you're looking for a complete change of scenery in charming Vieux Lyon, choose one of the quaint hotels tucked away in the narrow streets of this historic district. If you prefer to stay in the heart of the bustling city, the Presqu'île and Croix-Rousse districts offer a variety of modern hotels, as well as an abundance of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques to discover around every corner. Luxury lovers, with high-end establishments offering breathtaking city views and exceptional service, won't be left out either.

If your city trip in France isn't 100% certain, choose an establishment that offers cancellation and refund policies!

If you're looking for a flexible, cancellable, and refundable establishment, here are two options:

"HappyCulture's Hotel Silky," a former cloth merchant's house in the Presqu'île district. This establishment is a true homage to the city of Lyon on the Silk Road! Here, you'll enjoy a designer room and an authentic stay. The little extra? Breakfast and lunch!

The "Okko Hôtel" Lyon Pont Lafayette, just 1 km from Place Bellecour. This 4-star hotel has a lot going for it, including a flexible cancellation policy to book a room with peace of mind. The reception is open 24 hours a day, and you can store your luggage if you arrive early or depart late!

And if you're not sure which one to choose... Stay one night in each 😊

What to do on a city trip in Lyon, France?

  • Take the family for a stroll through Old Lyon and arrive at the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Take a moment to admire the incredible view.

  • Have an ice cream at "Terre Adélice" with its 100 specialties in organic flavors (the best in France).

  • Stroll along the quays of the Saône and admire the colorful facades of the houses on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse.

  • Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which houses an impressive collection of works from antiquity to the present day. A journey through time is guaranteed!

  • Relax at the spa: visit the Cinq Mondes Spa at the Grand Hôtel-Dieu for a complete change of scenery in the heart of Lyon!

For a successful city break or European adventure, Paris is the place to be... and so is Lyon! Take a ferry to Calais and start your adventure!

So, what are you waiting for?

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