Lyon Now Launches Navigône: A Scenic Water Bus Offering Stunning Views Along The Saône River

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Published on August 28, 2025


Lyon, celebrated for its old-world charm and gorgeous riverside panoramas, conscionable kicked disconnected a nosy caller measurement to spot its beautiful waterfront. On June 18, 2024, Transports en Commun Lyonnais (TCL) kicked disconnected nan Navigône, a h2o autobus that glides on nan beautiful agelong of nan Saône. The travel is cheap, cheerful, and lets you soak up jaw-dropping views of Lyon’s historical bosom and its celebrated riverbanks without nan hustle of thoroughfare traffic.

Navigône useful for illustration immoderate metropolis bus, but connected water. The thrust is included if you person a TCL play ticket, truthful locals tin hop connected and disconnected for free. When visitors climb aboard, they get a relaxing circuit that’s arsenic adjuvant arsenic it is beautiful. The vessel covers 6.3 kilometers of nan Saône, cruising from nan Confluence territory astatine nan confederate extremity of Presqu’île to Vaise Industrie up successful nan north. Along nan way, you tin get connected astatine nan stylish Terrasses Presqu’île aliases nan artsy Subsistances, each while enjoying views that alteration pinch nan ray and nan seasons.

A Scenic Voyage Through Lyon’s Historic Waterfront

Step aboard the Navigône for a caller look astatine Lyon this UNESCO World Heritage metropolis unfolds for illustration a postcard nan infinitesimal you time off nan dock. Kicking disconnected astatine the Confluence district, nan vessel glides past nan operation of lukewarm ceramic and cool chromatic façades that define Vieux Lyon, nan medieval territory that sparkles for illustration a gem astatine sunrise. You drawback show of the Cathedral of St. John nan Baptist and the Palais de Justice, 2 landmarks that susurration stories of kings, silk traders, and whispered prayers.

In just 40 minutes the vessel travels nan calm Saône, making each 2nd consciousness for illustration a mini-vacation. From your comfy seat, nan vessel carries you upriver to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, wherever it glows for illustration a guardian supra nan city. Be connected nan lookout for Lyon’s ain mini-Eiffel Tower, a mini relative that surprises you each time. Travelers and photographers alike will emotion nan highlights—this floating thrust is for illustration having a VIP viewport wherever nan city’s champion views statement up for a picture.

A Simple, Economy-Friendly Way to See Lyon

One awesome perk of nan Navigône ferry is its debased price. An big summons is conscionable €3 overmuch cheaper than nan Bateaux Lyonnais, wherever you’d salary €15 for a one-hour, guided stream cruise. Navigône is meant for mundane commuting but it besides turns nan thrust into a mini sightseeing escapade for conscionable a fistful of coins.

The way is cleanable for locals and visitors alike, making it a no-brainer for visitors who want to deed Lyon’s main attractions. The ferry links nan must-see Confluence area to nan Terrasses Presqu’île, wherever you’ll find immoderate of nan champion restaurants, cafés, and shops. You tin committee nan vessel to soak up nan scenery, aliases conscionable to zip quickly from 1 slope of nan Rhône to nan other. Either way, it’s a accelerated and nosy measurement to get astir nan city.

Exploring Lyon’s Hidden Gems

The Navigône h2o autobus doesn’t conscionable ferry travelers to nan well-known basking spots; it besides slips softly past immoderate of Lyon’s best-kept secrets. Head to nan Vaise Industrie extremity astatine nan route’s bluish tip. Right adjacent to nan dock you’ll spot nan Gare de Vaise Metro station, which makes hopping to nan picturesque Île-Barbe a breeze. This small island, sitting correct successful nan mediate of nan Saône, hides nan Jean Couty Museum, dedicated to 1 of nan city’s astir revered painters. With conscionable a short walk, you’ll find quiet streets, beautiful views, and nan cleanable spot of writer for a picnic.

If you want to instrumentality to nan city’s humanities core, get disconnected astatine Terrasses Presqu’île. This dock puts you successful nan bosom of Lyon, wherever cafés, bistros, and boutique shops create a lively outdoor surviving room. Stroll done nan cobblestone streets for a bit, and you’ll quickly scope nan immense Place Bellecour and nan shimmering Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, some conscionable a fewer blocks away. It’s nan benignant of spot that invites you to wander, sip a drink, and soak it each in.

Confluence: A Modern Addition to Lyon’s Historic Landscape

Confluence, nan riverside vicinity wherever nan caller Navigône water-bus thrust begins, perfectly captures Lyon’s ever-evolving spirit. Once dominated by factories, this portion of nan metropolis has bloss into an open-air creation gallery, anchored by wave-shaped buildings, nan awesome Confluence shopping center, and a lively operation of riverside cafés, gourmet bistros, and mini galleries. A stroll on nan quays lets you respect nan playful opposition of solid and brick, aged and new—all mirrored successful nan flowing Rhône.

Navigône arsenic Part of Lyon’s Expanding Public Transport Network

Launched arsenic portion of Lyon’s expansive imagination for greener, much enjoyable transport, nan Navigône adds a scatter of bluish to nan accustomed autobus and tram maps. Operating alongside nan extended metro and tram lines, this sleek ferry allows residents and visitors to hop nan fabled Rhône—or nan quieter Saône, further east—without a 2nd thought. Rather than hunting for a metro exit, you simply committee astatine nan gleaming floating dock, wherever nan motor hums quietly. As nan vessel glides past pastel-hued façades and nether arched chromatic bridges, nan waterway itself feels for illustration a surviving gallery, offering Lyon’s astir postcard-ready view: zero filters required.

Conclusion

When you’re visiting Lyon, hop aboard nan Navigône h2o bus. This quick, budget-friendly thrust is much than conscionable transport; it’s nan cleanable chance to return successful Lyon’s beautiful skyline while you glide down nan Saône River. You tin sail correct to apical sights, gaffe into charming lesser-known neighborhoods, and watch nan city’s beautiful historical buildings drift by. So, if you’re seeing Lyon for nan first clip aliases nan 5th time, nan Navigône adds a nosy and unforgettable scatter to your day.

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