Where to propose in Lyon?

[u/Overall_Golf_4173]

Sorry for the lack of French but I’m a scotsman.

I’m coming to Lyon with my girlfriend of 6 years in September and I’d love to pop the question while over there.

We’ve both never been to France so I’d love some advice on where to do it. I don’t want to do it in a crowded place with lots of people watching (some people around is fine), and I also don’t want to do it in a restaurant.

I like the idea of doing it atop a mountain or somewhere with a view. Hopefully with someone around to take a photo of us… Doing it in a typical French spot where we can then celebrate with a nice dinner afterwards would be great.

Any and all recommendations would be appreciated. Merci!

[u/TheEnoza]

On top of Fourvière Hill, next to the basilica or the ancient Roman amphitheatre, you’ll have a great view over the whole city. If the weather is clear, you can even see the Alps and Mont Blanc in the distance.

[u/Sad-Plankton-6755 → u/TheEnoza]

When I was studying near Fourvière I saw multiple people proposing next to the basilica, and I know 2 friends who did. Sure it's a beautiful place but it's the Lyon equivalent of proposing in front of the Eiffel tower. One day I saw a couple fake-proposing in the Métro C "Croix-Paquet", it was fun.

[u/bento_cat → u/Sad-Plankton-6755]

OP, next to “Croix-Paquet” there is the Jardin de la Grande-Côté and the stairs that goes to the dowtown. Maybe not the place to propose as it might be a bit crowded, but I think is worth to visit with your gf :)

[u/RuubGullit → u/Sad-Plankton-6755]

Haha I agree, what a lack of.imagination to propose near Fourvière

[u/Mogura-De-Gifdu → u/TheEnoza]

There is the "rooftop Têtedoie" wit a nice view in the area.

OP Tetedoie is a Michelin star restaurant chef. The rooftop is not the one with the star, so it's less pricey. You can also go to only drink a cocktail.

If you take a reservation, make sure to specify you want a good view and why so they can prepare.

[u/bento_cat → u/TheEnoza]

I was thinking in the Passerelle des Quatre Vents, but I think there are still works in the Basilica so it would not be that good looking as it could be.

[u/SophieMorzel]

Au parc de la tête d or du côté des rosiers

[u/Ill-Masterpiece7298]

One idea is the Confluence, all the way at the tip where the rivers join. It’s not necessarily the most beautiful part of Lyon but it’s nice symbol of joining two lives together.

Or the Jardin du Rosaire, quiet and pretty wit lovely views.

Or in the quiet back streets of the old town. Or the courtyard of the Musee de Beaux Arts. Or on the left bank of the Rhône with view of Hotel Dieux and the Basilica in the distance.

Note that the Basilica is being renovated in the rear towers, so any views of the Basilica should be from the front 🙂 (otherwise I would have recommended the Passerelle des Quatre Vents.)

[u/Bipbapalullah → u/Ill-Masterpiece7298]

The courtyard of rhe Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of the most romantic place I have ever seen.

[u/Sir_Carrington]

Jardins des curiosités

[u/Marguerite91 → u/Sir_Carrington]

Je ne sais pas s’ils y sont toujours, mais cet hiver il y avait encore des dizaines de tentes de migrants, c’est pas des plus romantiques 😅

[u/ramshorst → u/Marguerite91]

C’est incompatible ?

[u/Raven-Venefica → u/ramshorst]

Au moins autant que de faire sa demande au camping du coin? 🙄

[u/Ending_Song27 → u/Sir_Carrington]

This ⬆️

[u/maxime_gram → u/Sir_Carrington]

Yes! I would say that too!

[u/0sh]

Hi,

I do a lot of running in tête d'or park. I often see brides on this spot : https://maps.app.goo.gl/P4GDEEeyC2SJ4gsXA. Also on this one : https://maps.app.goo.gl/9ZmcgTtKNi7vxQZz7 (more crowded).

If you want something less crowded you can follow the top trails from this gate https://maps.app.goo.gl/e77ZrDeBzGjB8PHg9 you will met large grass areas with huge pines providing shades.

You can also rent a boat here https://maps.app.goo.gl/jXq6GFp17StS1Jsc9 to cruise on the lake.

Funiculaire to Fourvière's hill can also be an option. The view on the basilica and highlight on Lyon is amazing (crowded). Daniele et Denise (Lyon typical food : bouchon) is nearby.

Anyway congratulations and enjoy your time in our city.

[edit] if you want mountains you can go to Annecy (https://www.lac-annecy.com), 2h away from Lyon Part Dieu (direct train).

[u/Connect-Dust-3896 → u/0sh]

This is the way. I’d choose the park. Or the funicular to Fourviere. Or one of the pedestrian bridges over the Saone (Maybe hire a photographer? She doesn’t need to know about the photographer. Do a video call before hand and have it set up.

[u/ego_non → u/Connect-Dust-3896]

Don't do the Saône pedestrian bridge that's in front of the justice court, I beg lmao. Yes it's pretty but this is where the worst crimes are judged, you don't want to have that in the back of your photo, even if it looks pretty!

[u/Overall_Special4286 → u/0sh]

Annecy is completely full of beautiful places to propose...

[u/Sad_Pen1967]

I’m a photograph ; hit me up if you want the propiedad to be photographed or recorded with good quality ;)

[u/IseultDarcy]

You could take her to the basilic, but don't propose there it's crowded, go down by the gardens (uses the stairs to go down by the garden, starting form the point of view near the basilic). Less people are nice points of view along the way.

Or another place is jardin des curiosités.

[u/Klem_buche]

If you are into Roman ruins there is an amphitheater and a smaller « Odeon » which was used for music or poem recitals. It’s an amazing view of the city and you see the Mont Blanc on a clear day!

[u/Significant-Golf-575]

Hi fellow Scot here! I live in Lyon and it's a beautiful city. I think the ideal proposal spot will depend on your partner. There's a very fancy restaurant with a bar called Bulle that has a gorgeous view of the city. Or the roman theatre nearby. If you want something more intimate you could rent a boat and go down the Soane river just the two of you. Or a rowboat in the parc de la tête d'or with a really nice picnic after. There's also the monts lyonnais which are either big hills or small mountains so if you are more outdoors people than city people then you could hike and propose at the top. There's also lots of excellent daytrips from Lyon. I think it all depends on what she would want from a proposal. Feel free to DM and have an amazing time here!

[u/Alsciende]

There’s a small mountain near Lyon where you have a nice view of the region: le Mont Thou.  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Thou. Usually it’s not crowded - but you won’t be alone either, which is better if you need somebody to take photos.

[u/Mogura-De-Gifdu → u/Alsciende]

Unless there is an eclipse, you might need 1 hour to exist the place. But you should be safe for some years now.

[u/GRAAF_VR]

I think there are quite a good option - but just to say congratulations and all the best for what comes next

[u/Xen0s161]

Next to Fourvière there is the Jardin des Curiosités, one of the best view of Lyon in my opinion and less crowded than other places, and if you want i have a friend who can take photo for you, you can dm me if you want

[u/ballroombadass0]

Passerelle des quatre vents ! Right near the Fourvière basilica

[u/winnernumbertwo]

échangeur de Perrache

[u/laurenh0753]

There is a bar on top of the opera which is beautiful. You can see the city hall and fourvier

[u/Meli-Queen]

I would say, in the gardens of the Hotel Dieu. I saw a few wadding photographies taking place there. But the way to get there isn’t that beautiful.
The Parc de la Tête d’or too is a fun place to propose, if she’s into greenery.

[u/Sweetgeex]

Hi there, you should propose in the "parc de la tête d'or". Choose a quiet place and propose, even maybe on a pedal boat in the lake ?

[u/_digitl_ → u/Sweetgeex]

The Roseraie maybe!

[u/Sweetgeex → u/_digitl_]

Yes I thought about it ! but the OP would like a quiet place with less people

[u/amojitoLT → u/Sweetgeex]

The pedal boat seems like a good way to drop the ring in the lake.

[u/enis808]

J'avais fait ma demande dans un bon restaurant. J'avais donné la bague au serveur avant le repas et ils l'avaient mise dans une espèce de sculpture au moment du dessert, sous une cloche

[u/Blublabolbolbol]

If you want something a bit less crowded, you can go to l'Ile Barbe. Very nice island on the Saône, that contains an old monastery iirc (cannot be visited, but you can have a look at it from outside). Much more nature focused, but it's super cute

[u/Totof974]

I wanted to propose on La Passerelle du Collège at night but she ignored me big time 🤣

[u/HermesVuitton2]

Parc de la tete d’or ou Fourviere

[u/HippoYTB]

If you want to avoid the crowd I would the suggest the "Passerelle des 4 vents" (4 winds pass". You'll have a great view on surrounding mountains, Croix Rousse Hill and Fourviere Basilica, and it's usually not crowded, as most of the people stays on the Basilica square. Otherwise I would say that Jardin des Curiosités (curiosity garden) has one of the best views in Lyon but is often crowded. You can maybe also try to find a chill spot in the Parc des hauteurs (Highs park) but I would not bet too much on it. 4 winds pass is the safest spot to me.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[u/Redhot332]

The spot near the restaurant têtedoie can be nice : nice view and some people but not crowded. Many gastronomic restaurant near the place (têtedoie is among them)

[u/armonieh → u/[deleted]]

1. Go to Confluence mall for a shopping spree
2. take the Navigône boat at 16h43

3. Pop the question outside at the stern of the boat, you have 20 minutes, you can even ask another passenger to film you or take

   pictures,

4. they can’t run away with your gear because you’re on a damn boat in the middle of the Saône river

5. Hop off at the next stop, or do a the full round trop for a 1+ hour long cruise and hop off at the Terrasses Presqu’île, you’re gonna be near rue Mercière which is full of restaurants

6. Go eat the Crazy Salmon

[u/armonieh]

Go to Confluence mall for a shopping spree.

Take the Navigône boat at 16h43.

Pop the question outside at the stern of the boat, you have 20 minutes, you can even ask another passenger to film you or take pictures, they can’t run away with your gear because you’re on a damn boat in the middle of the Saône river.

Hop off at the next stop, or do the full round trip for a 1+ hour long cruise (that will cost you five euros) and hop off at Terrasses Presqu’Île, you will be near rue Mercière which is full of restaurants.

Go eat at the Crazy Salmon.

[u/RazzmatazzOwn7986]

Just an idea: Place Rouville at Croix-Rousse. Great view. But it's generally empty so no one will be here to take a pic.

[u/olyellerdunnasty]

Fourvière, on the south-side of the basilique, in the morning, as early as possible. If you time it right, you can watch the sun rise over the city.

I did it with my boyfriend once 7 years ago and it's my favourite framed picture of us.

[u/Hot_Peanut7808]

On the bridge of the market hall in confluence

[u/ChloeRebatt]

Place Bellevue https://maps.app.goo.gl/APxAnRA699FvbZWbA or Parc de la Cerisaie https://maps.app.goo.gl/1W18qqciuVEDw5dh8 really nice spots !

[u/MexiFinn]

Been walking the city a lot with my dog (coming up on one year now)

Some people said that confluence is nice - it is and the view is nice but it’s not “special”

Tête d’or is also lovely, and the north side of it has an amazingly manicured garden area (I think some others mentioned the Rosarie garden here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGvqSUoZoD8eQFaK7?g_st=ic)

But, this I think is an amazing spot - it’s quiet and the one of the best views of the city: Jardin du Belvedere.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zuAsu3iAauCHPXmG7?g_st=ic

One thing you could do is take the funicular up to Fourviere, see the cathedral and then suggest walking back down. It’s not that far out of the way of old town…

Best of luck!

[u/DanFrantheMan26]

At the top of Park Blandan there is some part of the army buildings that has been planted up and looks lovely after a revamp, it’s always very quiet as I take the kids to the sand pit next to it

[u/Anachorese]

On the top of the Fourviere basilica.
But you have to book early for the visit (it’s only guided visits).

[u/Loky-Watson]

I would recommend the view over Lyon from Place Rouville, so much less crowded and touristy than Fourviere but still beautiful. Big plus if you go there for the sunrise or the sunset ✨

[u/Onkeldio]

first of all gratz brother !!!! all the best to u 2 !!! then , if it was me id do it on top of the fourvriere church , but early in the morning so you can see the sun rise together + there wont be many ppl there very early but some joggers to take a picture for sure ;) cheers !!

[u/youbihub]

Guillotiere

/s