Lyon sometimes has a bit of a mixed reputation when it comes to weather. With winter storms, those maddening southeast winds, and countless rainy days, the city isn't always thought of as a sunny getaway. And yet! In 2025, the capital of Gaul logged 2,170 hours of sunshine over the year, securing a respectable 12th place in the national ranking of the sunniest cities. Sure, it's a bit behind Ajaccio, Marseille, and Aix-en-Provence, but still ahead of a good part of France!
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A sunshine that is well-deserved and savored
Lyon shares this beautiful 12th place nationally with its neighbor Villeurbanne, both enjoying the same amount of sunshine. And while the start of the year has been somewhat unpredictable, it seems that the sun has finally decided to come out of hibernation to brighten (and warm up) the banks of the Saône and Rhône. Perhaps that’s the charm of Lyon: appreciating the sun all the more knowing it can disappear quickly. And when it’s here, the people of Lyon know how to make the most of it: the terraces fill up in just a few minutes as soon as the sky clears up, and the riverbanks become the ultimate spot for a stroll.and the city unfolds in its most beautiful light.