The holidays are fast approaching and you are out of inspiration? This year, forget the umpteenth Christmas jumper or the beauty set that will end up at the back of a cupboard. Lyon is brimming with original and unusual activities to give as gifts. Whether it is for your thrill-seeking best friend, your mum who deserves a moment of relaxation or your geeky brother who lives in front of his screens, we have tracked down 20 activity ideas that are sure to hit the mark. From a beer bath to axe throwing, floating in weightlessness and candlelight concerts, get ready to officially become the person who gives the best gifts in the family. Let's go!
Gift Idea 1: A Pixel Rush Gift Card for a Session at Our Action Game!
OK, we will not lie: we are kicking off this list with our own activity. But honestly, it is not (just) self-promotion! We are putting it first because we genuinely believe it is one of the coolest gifts you can give in Lyon right now.
The concept? Imagine offering an hour where your loved ones literally become the heroes of a life-size video game. Across 800 m² and 8 themed rooms, they chain challenges with unlimited access: dodging laser beams like a secret agent in Lazer, navigating the luminous tiles of La Grille, scoring as many baskets as possible on Basket Rush, climbing while touching the right colours on the Climbing Wall... Each room offers several game modes (cooperative or competitive) and different difficulty levels.
Why is it the ideal gift? Because the variety of activities means everyone finds something they love. With 8 different rooms and several game modes, each person can play at their own pace and according to their preferences. You can come and play with friends or as a family and everyone will enjoy it, whatever their age or level. Plus, each participant receives a connected wristband that tracks their performance in real time and lets them compare scores.
Gift Idea 2: A Beer Bath at Holy Hop
Have you ever bathed in beer? No? Then you have not yet discovered Holy Hop, Lyon's first beer spa, which has been causing a sensation since it opened.
The concept? You lounge in a bathtub filled with a mixture of water, hops, malt and beer yeast. These components are renowned for their hydrating, exfoliating and soothing properties for the skin. Meanwhile, you sip a lovely cold craft beer. Yes, you drink a beer while bathing in beer, and that is actually pretty brilliant.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is not every day you take a bath in beer!
📍Holy Hop Beer Spa - 6 Rue Ferrachat, 69005 Lyon
Gift Idea 3: An Hour of Weightless Floating at GRAVITI
Float in water effortlessly? It is possible at GRAVITI!
The concept? You enter a private pod filled with water saturated with Epsom salt, heated to exactly the temperature of your skin. You lie back, and then... magic: you float naturally, without any effort. In total darkness and absolute silence, your muscles relax completely and your mind goes on pause. A total disconnection from the outside world for one hour.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because giving a floating session means giving a genuine moment of relaxation. It is the ideal gift for those who struggle to let go, people who accumulate tension (physical or mental), or simply to introduce someone to something completely new.
📍GRAVITI Lyon 3 - 23 Quai Victor Augagneur, 69003 Lyon
📍GRAVITI Lyon 6 - 31 Rue Ney, 69006 Lyon
Gift Idea 4: A Tufting Workshop at Bern'Art Tapis
Do you know tufting? That technique of creating rugs by "shooting" wool onto a stretched canvas?
The concept? At Bern'Art Tapis, you learn to tuft your own rug in a few hours. You choose your design (a cloud, a heart, a face, a word, your favourite animal...), select your colours from dozens of balls of wool and get started with a tufting gun. The result? A unique, handmade rug that is entirely yours.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is creative, meditative and useful all at once! You leave with a creation you are proud of, which will decorate your home and has a real story behind it. Perfect for creative types, DIY enthusiasts, people who are tired of impersonal decorative objects or anyone looking for an original activity.
📍Bern'Art Tapis - 1 Rue de la Martinière, 69001 Lyon
Gift Idea 5: A Candlelight Concert
Candlelight concerts have conquered the world, and fortunately for us, they have come to Lyon. Hundreds of candles, live music, heritage venues... If you are looking for a gift that makes eyes light up (literally), you are in the right place.
The concept? Imagine sitting in a church, a historic theatre or an unusual Lyon venue, surrounded by flickering candles, while a string quartet plays Vivaldi, Ludovico Einaudi or classical renditions of Coldplay or Queen. The atmosphere is intimate, hushed, almost mystical. It is beautiful, moving and unlike any regular concert.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is an experience in its own right. You do not need to be a music lover or an opera fan: the candlelit setting makes everything magical and accessible. It is the ideal gift for a romantic evening that avoids the cliché, or to offer to parents/grandparents who love music. The programmes change regularly (Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Hans Zimmer best of, Chopin, Ghibli soundtracks, tributes to Queen or Coldplay...) so you can choose based on the recipient's tastes.
Gift Idea 6: A Cooking Class at Institut Lyfe (formerly Institut Paul Bocuse)
Lyon, the world capital of gastronomy, is home to one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world: Institut Lyfe (formerly Institut Paul Bocuse). And good news: they offer classes for the general public. It is a bit like enrolling in a masterclass with the Avengers of cooking.
The concept? Cooking or pastry workshops led by professional chefs in the institute's ultra-modern kitchens. Depending on the class, you learn to make macarons, master fish cookery, compose a gourmet menu or bake like a pro.
Why is it the perfect gift? It is the ideal gift for food lovers who want to learn to cook. Giving a class at Institut Lyfe means giving a true moment of knowledge sharing in a legendary venue of French gastronomy. Perfect for cooking enthusiasts who dream of learning proper techniques or couples wanting to share a gourmet experience.
📍Institut Lyfe - 1 Chem. de Calabert, 69130 Écully
Gift Idea 7: An Indoor Skydiving Experience at iFLY
Have you always dreamed of skydiving but the thought of jumping out of a plane makes you a little nervous? iFLY has the solution: indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel.
The concept? A vertical wind tunnel generating winds of up to 300 km/h. You put on a suit, a helmet, goggles, and off you go — you literally fly. An instructor accompanies you and shows you how to position yourself, turn, go up and down. It is exhilarating and genuinely fun.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is a pure adrenaline rush, without the constraints (and fear) of traditional skydiving. It is perfect for thrill-seekers and is available year-round, rain or shine.
📍iFLY Lyon - 48 Anc. Rte de Grenoble, 69800 Saint-Priest
Gift Idea 8: Dinner at Brasserie Georges, a Lyon Institution
Giving a dinner at Brasserie Georges means giving a piece of Lyon's history and an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Open since 1836, it is one of the oldest and largest brasseries in France.
The concept? An enormous dining room with preserved Art Deco decor, waiters in traditional dress, authentic and generous Lyon cuisine. Quenelles, andouillettes, saucisson brioché, choucroute... The classics are all there, perfectly executed and generously served. The atmosphere is both refined and convivial, a bit like dining in a 1930s film set.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is an institution that every Lyonnais (or lover of Lyon) must experience. Perfect for food lovers, fans of great addresses, your parents or grandparents who appreciate places with character, or for a romantic dinner in an exceptional setting.
📍Brasserie Georges - 30 Cr de Verdun Perrache, 69002 Lyon
Gift Idea 9: An Escape Game Session at Intervalle for Harry Potter Fans
Intervalle is not your average escape game. With ultra-immersive rooms and meticulously crafted themes (including a mind-blowing Harry Potter universe and a steampunk one), it is one of the best venues in Lyon.
The concept? Carefully crafted scenarios, spectacular sets and clever puzzles that really make you think. The Harry Potter room plunges you into the famous wizard's universe with breathtaking faithfulness. The steampunk universe transports you to a retro-futuristic alternate world. In both cases, the immersion is total and the experience truly memorable.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is a perfect group activity to do with friends or family. It is also the must-gift experience for Harry Potter fans.
📍Intervalle Escape Game Lyon - 235 Rue Vendôme, 69003 Lyon
Gift Idea 10: A River Cruise on the Saône or the Rhône with Les Bateaux Lyonnais
Lyon is crossed by two majestic rivers, so why not make the most of them! Les Bateaux Lyonnais offer cruises to discover the city from a completely different angle, drink in hand and wind in your hair.
The concept? Guided cruises along the banks of the Saône and the Rhône, passing under Lyon's iconic bridges and offering breathtaking views of Vieux Lyon, the Presqu'île, the Confluence, Fourvière... Depending on the package chosen, you can opt for a simple aperitif cruise, a Sunday brunch, a lunch or a gourmet dinner. In summer, there are even DJ evenings on deck.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because seeing Lyon from the water is discovering a completely different side of the city. The colourful facades of Vieux Lyon are reflected in the Saône, the bridges take on a majestic dimension and you suddenly understand why Lyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ideal for a romantic moment with a view of Fourvière at sunset, to impress visiting friends discovering Lyon, or simply for an original drinks outing with friends. In winter, cruises with mulled wine and illuminated riverbanks are also absolutely worth the trip.
📍Les Bateaux Lyonnais - 13Bis Quai Rambaud, 69002 Lyon
Gift Idea 11: A Sensory Experience in Complete Darkness at Sensas Lyon
What if you discovered just how powerful your senses are when sight disappears? SENSAS offers an immersive experience that will make you rediscover your sensory abilities in totally unprecedented conditions. Get ready to be taken aback (in the best way).
The concept? In teams of 4 to 15 people, you are plunged into near-total darkness for 2 hours and must complete a series of fun, sensory challenges. Touch, smell, hearing, taste... all your senses (except sight) are called upon to progress through the course. A "Master of the Senses" guides you remotely via microphone and infrared camera through different themed rooms. You will need to communicate, cooperate and above all trust your other senses to succeed in the challenges. And the cherry on top: each amulet won during the challenges is converted into a donation for heï Association, which works with people with disabilities in Lyon.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is the kind of experience you might not treat yourself to, but are delighted to receive as a gift. Giving a SENSAS session means giving a unique and team-building moment in total darkness, where your loved ones will have to rely on their other senses and trust each other. Perfect for a group of friends looking for an original activity, a family with teenagers (from age 7) wanting to share something different, or even a couple looking for an unusual experience. The charitable aspect of donations to associations means it is also a gift that carries meaning.
📍SENSAS Lyon - 14 Rue Michel Félizat, 69007 Lyon
Gift Idea 12: An Axe Throwing Session at L'Hachez-vous
Looking for a completely wild and stress-busting activity? Axe throwing is THE exciting new trend making its way from the US and Canada. And in Lyon, the place to go is L'Hachez-vous!
The concept? You are in a secure space, guided by professionals who teach you throwing techniques. Then you hurl axes at wooden targets, trying to hit the bullseye. It requires concentration and technique, but most of all, it is incredibly satisfying. A session lasts about 1h30 and includes various games and challenges.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is totally original, you feel like a Viking warrior for an afternoon, and throwing axes releases stress in a very satisfying way.
📍L'Hachez-vous ! - 4 Rue de l'Épée, 69003 Lyon
Gift Idea 13: A Ceramics Workshop at Atelier Folk
Artisan ceramics are having a real moment: you see them everywhere on Instagram, in trendy concept stores, on the shelves of stylish homes. Handmade bowls, organic-shaped plates, unique vases, imperfect but design mugs... What if this year, instead of giving yet another decorative object, you gave the chance to create one from scratch?
The concept? Atelier Folk offers ceramics classes for all levels: introduction to wheel throwing, hand modelling, glazing... You work with clay in a bright, welcoming workshop, guided by passionate ceramicists who share their expertise with warmth. You create one or more pieces depending on the class chosen and collect them a few weeks later after firing.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because working with clay is meditative, creative and rewarding. And also because the recipient will leave with a unique piece they made with their own hands.
📍Atelier Folk & Poterie Boutique - 11 Rue Sainte-Hélène, 69002 Lyon
Gift Idea 14: A Beer Brewing Workshop at La Beer Fabrique
Craft beer lovers will be delighted: La Beer Fabrique offers workshops to learn how to brew your own artisan beer. From grain to bottle, you will discover all the secrets of brewing.
The concept? A 3.5-hour workshop where you participate in every step of the brewing process: malt milling, mashing, hopping, cooling... The lucky recipient will finally understand how beer is made and leave with their own batch.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is educational, fun and delicious all at once. The person you give this workshop to will finally understand how beer is made and will leave with their own production. Ideal for offering a convivial moment to loved ones.
📍La Beer Fabrique - 10 Rue Saint-Polycarpe, 69001 Lyon
Gift Idea 15: A Workshop at the Manufacture du Chocolat Diggers by Olivier Mauchamps
Olivier Mauchamps is THE rising Lyon chocolatier, with original creations and genuine artisan craftsmanship. His Diggers manufacture offers workshops to discover the art of chocolate.
The concept? Thematic workshops tailored to the season and your mood: making personalised chocolate bars, creating your own pralines, learning to temper chocolate, making mendiants... You work with quality chocolate, discover the techniques of chocolatiers, and of course, you leave with your creations.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because chocolate is happiness in tablet form. Learning to work with it alongside a passionate artisan makes it even better. Perfect for self-confessed foodies, baking enthusiasts or for a convivial moment with family or friends.
📍La manufacture du chocolat Diggers - 6 Rue Neuve, 69002 Lyon
Gift Idea 16: A Virtual Reality Experience at Ovrdoze
Virtual reality has made enormous strides in recent years and Ovrdoze offers one of the best VR experiences in Lyon.
The concept? Dedicated VR spaces with top-of-the-range equipment (Valve Index headsets, tracking stations) and a varied catalogue of experiences: escape games in VR, action games, narrative adventures, artistic experiences... You can play alone or together in the same virtual universe. Sessions last from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the experience chosen.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is technologically stunning, fun and appeals to a wide audience. Perfect for gamers, geeks or anyone wanting to discover VR in the best possible conditions (because playing VR at home with your Oculus headset is fine, but this is on another level entirely).
📍oVRdoze - 112 Cr Charlemagne, 69002 Lyon
Gift Idea 17: Play in a Quiz Room
Have you always dreamed of taking part in a TV quiz show? Quiz Room makes that dream accessible to everyone, without the impossible casting process.
The concept? A real TV game room with a set, buzzers, podiums, sound and lights. You play alone or in teams (up to 3 per podium) for 1h or 1h30 depending on the package chosen. On the menu: quizzes on varied topics (general knowledge, music, the 2000s, sport...) — there is something for everyone!
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is fun, accessible (no need to be a general knowledge champion) and it creates a real group atmosphere, whether with family or friends.
📍Quiz Room - 51 Rue Denuzière, 69002 Lyon
Gift Idea 18: A Thai Massage at Thaï Bien-être
Giving a massage means giving a pause in the daily whirlwind. And when it is a traditional Thai massage, it is essentially giving an express trip to Asia.
The concept? Traditional Thai massage is not your typical "relaxing" massage. It is a dynamic massage that combines pressure, stretches and energy work. The practitioner uses their hands, but also their elbows, knees and even feet to release deep tension. It can be intense at times but is always effective.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because the benefits are immediate: relief from muscular tension, improved flexibility, better circulation and a deep sense of relaxation that lasts for days. Perfect for athletes, people who spend a lot of time at a computer or simply to offer a moment of relaxation to a loved one.
📍Thaï Bien Être - 56 Rue de la Charité, 69002 Lyon
Gift Idea 19: A Ninja Warrior-Style Course at Warrior Adventure
Have you seen the Ninja Warrior show on TV? You can now try the experience at Warrior Adventure, the first course in the Lyon area to replicate the iconic show.
The concept? Over 1000 m² of obstacles inspired by the cult show: climbing walls, swings, ropes, rings, trampolines, aerial courses... You test your agility, strength, balance and endurance on dozens of obstacles at different levels. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned athlete, there are challenges for everyone.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is an ultra-fun activity that is great for letting off steam and appeals to children and adults alike. Perfect for sporty types looking for new challenges, groups of friends wanting to compete, families, or anyone wanting to test their limits in a fun and safe environment.
📍Warrior Adventure Lyon - 8 Imp. Abbé Firmin, 69100 Villeurbanne
Gift Idea 20: A Fluorescent Painting Workshop at Atelier Mory
We finish this list in style (and in colour) with Atelier Mory and their fluorescent painting sessions.
The concept? Painting workshops in the dark where you use fluorescent paints that glow under UV light. No need to be Picasso — the team guides you and offers different themes and techniques. You can paint on canvas, create abstract or figurative patterns and the result is always spectacular.
Why is it the perfect gift? Because it is an artistic experience accessible to everyone, even those who think they cannot draw. The fluorescent aspect makes everything magical and highly Instagrammable.
📍Atelier Mory - 20 Rue Royale, 69001 Lyon
How to Give These Experiences as Gifts?
Now that you have plenty of ideas, you may be wondering how to actually give these experiences as gifts. Here are a few options:
1. Gift cards
Most of these venues offer gift cards (physical or digital) valid for several months. It is convenient: you give the gift and the person chooses when they want to enjoy it.
2. Booking platforms
Sites like Funbooker or Wecandoo bring together lots of activities and offer gift vouchers. Perfect if you are still unsure or want to leave the choice open.
3. Direct booking
You can also book a slot directly and give it as a gift. It is more of a commitment (the person MUST go on that date), but it can be lovely if you are going together!
4. A beautiful Christmas card
A gift card slipped into a plain white envelope is nice. But a beautifully personalised Christmas card with a few elements linked to the activity you are giving makes a real impression under the tree! Buy or print a lovely Christmas card and add a little nod to the activity. A mini bottle of craft beer to go with the Beer Spa gift card, a few squares of chocolate for the Diggers workshop or a candle to announce a Candlelight concert.
Our Christmas Gift Ideas in Lyon by Personality
For the sporty type who loves pushing their limits:
Pixel Rush or Warrior Adventure or iFLY or Axe Throwing
For the creative who loves making things by hand:
Ceramics workshop or Tufting at Bern'Art or Fluorescent Painting
For the foodie who lives to eat:
Cooking class at Institut Lyfe or Chocolate workshop at Diggers or Dinner at Brasserie Georges
For the stressed-out person who needs to unwind:
Floating at Graviti or Thai massage or Candlelight concert
For the self-confessed geek:
Pixel Rush or VR at Ovrdoze or Quiz Room
For fans of unusual experiences:
Holy Hop Beer Spa or Beer Brewing or Axe Throwing
Christmas Gift Ideas in Lyon: Conclusion
This year, give yourself (and others) the gift of experience. Lyon is packed with original, fun, unusual, relaxing and creative activities... There is something for every taste, every budget and every personality.
Yes, it might take a little more thought than a simple voucher. But the smile on the face of the person who discovers your gift (and especially who lives the experience) is well worth those few minutes of research. And honestly, between us: in 10 years' time, what will remain? The jumper you gave in 2025, or the memory of that crazy afternoon at our Pixel Rush action game? The answer is in the question.
Happy holidays, and most of all, have a great time! 🎁
You might also enjoy:
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31 couple activities in Lyon to win over your crush
15 activities to do in Lyon when it rains (and you're feeling down)
30 activities to do as a family in Lyon
EVG/EVJF in Lyon: The 25 best activities to enjoy with friends
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