Lyon in May: a seasonal travel plan
Lyon, France. In may, the average daytime high is 19.2 °C and the night-time low is 8.6 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Choose a month
Selected month: May
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Lyon
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 19.2 °C
- Nighttime low
- 8.6 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 89.7 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 13.2
- Daylight
- 14.9 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 17.8 | 7.4 | 5.0 |
| Days 11–20 | 18.4 | 8.2 | 4.6 |
| From day 21 | 21.2 | 10.0 | 3.6 |
What this month is like
Lyon, France. In may, the average daytime high is 19.2 °C and the night-time low is 8.6 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
There are 13.2 wet days on average, with about 89.7 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Average daylight is 14.9 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 15.6 °C, May — 19.2 °C, next month — 24.3 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 9.5, 13.2 and 14.5.
Things to do
Lyon sits where the Rhône meets the Saône: the old town lies below the Fourvière hill, with the Presqu'île stretched between the rivers. Metro lines and funiculars link the banks, so the climb to the basilica takes only a few minutes.
Fourvière
Take the funicular from Vieux Lyon station up to the Notre-Dame basilica. The Roman theatres stand beside it and host summer performances; walk back down through the Rosary gardens. The quays below make an easy evening walk.
Traboules of the old town
In the Saint-Jean quarter, follow the traboules, covered passages between houses that once joined workshops and courtyards, many of them open during the day. Start at the cathedral and come out at the Saône embankment.
Market and park
Have breakfast at Les Halles Paul Bocuse, the covered market for cheese, charcuterie and Lyonnais dishes. Then take the metro to Parc de la Tête d'Or and circle the lake and botanic garden.
Where to stay
Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon is built of Renaissance houses with courtyards and traboules. It is atmospheric to stay in, but the quarter empties in the evening and parking is scarce. Bouchons cluster on the next street, Rue Saint-Jean.
Presqu'île
The Presqu'île between the rivers suits anyone who wants a central base, with Place Bellecour, shops and the market close by. Streets stay loud late, but either bank and the metro are steps away.
Croix-Rousse
Croix-Rousse is the silk workers' hill above the Presqu'île, with a market, cafés and views over the city. The streets are narrow and stepped, the climb tires legs, but rooms are quieter and cheaper than below.
Getting to and around Lyon
Saint-Exupéry airport connects to Part-Dieu station on the Rhônexpress tram, a journey of about half an hour. Metro is the main way around: four lines link the Presqu'île, Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse, and a funicular climbs to Fourvière. The centre is small, so half the routes are better walked, especially along the riverbanks.
Three days in Lyon
Presqu'île and the market
Start at Place Bellecour, walk Rue de la République to Les Halles and have lunch among the stalls. In the afternoon follow the Saône embankment and visit the Musée des Confluences.
Fourvière and Vieux Lyon
Ride the funicular to the basilica, look at the Roman theatres and come down into the old town. Follow the traboules from Saint-Jean cathedral and end with dinner in a bouchon.
Croix-Rousse and the park
Climb Croix-Rousse in the morning for the market and workshops, then descend towards the Rhône. In the afternoon go out to Parc de la Tête d'Or, circle the lake and return to the centre.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.7 | -1.0 | 62.9 | 11.9 | 9.1 |
| February | 9.0 | 0.1 | 44.7 | 9.0 | 10.3 |
| March | 12.4 | 2.1 | 62.6 | 11.3 | 11.9 |
| April | 15.6 | 4.5 | 59.9 | 9.5 | 13.5 |
| May | 19.2 | 8.6 | 89.7 | 13.2 | 14.9 |
| June | 24.3 | 13.4 | 89.5 | 14.5 | 15.6 |
| July | 27.5 | 15.4 | 49.0 | 8.4 | 15.3 |
| August | 27.5 | 15.1 | 57.2 | 8.1 | 14.1 |
| September | 23.0 | 11.4 | 67.9 | 9.3 | 12.6 |
| October | 17.8 | 7.7 | 94.9 | 10.3 | 11.0 |
| November | 10.8 | 3.1 | 81.3 | 11.6 | 9.5 |
| December | 7.3 | 0.5 | 85.6 | 13.2 | 8.8 |
Frequently asked questions
Lyon: what is the temperature in May?
The average daytime high is 19.2 °C and the night-time low is 8.6 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in May?
On average, there are 13.2 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 89.7 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in May?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 17.8 °C; 11–20 — 18.4 °C; 21 to month-end — 21.2 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in May?
The average is 14.9 hours. Long daylight hours make it easy to split a walk between morning and evening, with a longer break in between.
Is Lyon worth visiting in May?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 19.2 °C and nights around 8.6 °C work for you. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
What can I do in Lyon on a wet day in May?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Lyon in May?
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Average daylight is 14.9 hours.