A Travel Price Comparison for France Lyon vs. Auxerre for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Lyon or Auxerre?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Auxerre, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Lyon and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Lyon and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lyon is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Auxerre is known for its small town charm. Lyon is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Lyon different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre and Lyon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lyon or Auxerre?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lyon has many famous sights for visitors. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in Lyon or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Lyon or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Lyon for the nightlife scene. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Lyon or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Lyon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Auxerre?

Lyon is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lyon or Auxerre Better for Families?

Lyon is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Lyon or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Lyon is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Lyon or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Lyon or Auxerre Better for Students?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Lyon. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

Is Lyon or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Lyon or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Lyon is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Lyon Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lyon or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lyon than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Auxerre. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lyon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lyon than Auxerre. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lyon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Auxerre if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lyon.

One day in Lyon or Auxerre?

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Auxerre. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Lyon or Auxerre?

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer.

Auxerre is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or Auxerre?

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and food around the under-rated destination of Auxerre. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lyon. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The authentic town of Auxerre offers food and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Lyon and Auxerre, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lyon Expensive? and Is Auxerre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Auxerre?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Auxerre, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Lyon or Auxerre?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lyon or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Auxerre. Most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lyon is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Auxerre averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auxerre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In the summer, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in July than Auxerre. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

In October, Lyon is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lyon usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Lyon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Auxerre. It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. Lyon is a little warmer than Auxerre in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in January than Auxerre. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Auxerre. Many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Auxerre in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Lyon is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Auxerre averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lyon usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Lyon