(Newswire.net — August 13, 2021) — Lyon is a picturesque city at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Thanks to its strategic location, it became the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region – and has a spectacular city center to show for it.
Whilst many people will head only to the capital for its array of tourist attractions, they’re missing a trick! As well as being a cultural hub, Lyon is also a dream destination for sports lovers.
Home to an internationally renowned football team, more than one horse racing track, and a whole host of other sports, narrowing everything you can do here into one action-packed weekend hasn’t been an easy task. However, we’ve just about managed it!
Relax in a Kayak
As we mentioned before, Lyon is situated right on the convergence of two rivers, which makes it the perfect location for water sports.
Renting a kayak is a fun way to get to see a different side of the city and kick things off with a bit of gentle exercise – or not so gentle, depending on your preference. Lyon Canoe is situated in the Confluence district of the city and they’ll help you out with canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard rental.
Once you’ve rented your kayak, you’ll be guided through a beautiful course on the Saône river, allowing you to view some historic buildings from the water. You’ll then turn onto the Rhone and make your way back to where you began.
If you and the rest of the group are up for the challenge, you can see who can stand up the longest in their kayak without falling over. It’s a good laugh, but remember to bring a change of clothes as they won’t let you in if you’re soaking wet at the next stop on your itinerary.
Visit the Hippodrome
Image Source – Cheering home your horse at the winning post is a perfect end to the afternoon
Lyon has not one, but two horse racing tracks in its Hippodrome, so if you enjoy watching the horses, you couldn’t be in a better location.
Parilly and Carré de Soie are the two options. Parilly offers a slightly larger course that attracts more families, whilst Carré de Soie tends to be an older, more discerning crowd.
If you’re visiting the Hippodrome on a Sunday, Brunch is a great way to kick off the day. Arrive by noon and you’ll be able to enjoy a sumptuous buffet of both hot and cold foods including croissants, cured meats, cheese, fresh fruit, and pastries. Once you’ve enjoyed the brunch you can embark on a guided tour of the racetrack before the action starts.
If you’re looking to place some bets at the racetrack there are several bookies in attendance, however, you’ll likely find better odds online. Plus, if you do a little research and look for no deposit bonus codes you could even use that money as a free bet.
The views from the grandstands are brilliant and you’ll have your own section reserved if you join for brunch. However, there’s nothing like cheering your horse home at the winning post, so if you think you’re in with a good chance, make your way down there in plenty of time.
Cheer On Olympique Lyonnais
The French love their football so it wouldn’t be right to enjoy a sports weekender without going to see a match. Olympique Lyonnais are the major team in the city and it is often possible to snag a ticket to see them at home games.
Lyon is one of those cities that puts the needs of its home fans above everyone else, which is an admirable trait. This does mean, though, that it can be more difficult to get your hands on tickets.
If you don’t manage to snag one you can still visit the ground and the club’s museum. At only 10 euros it is brilliant value for money and there are photo opportunities galore.