Lyon, capital of gastronomy, city of two rivers, dynamic metropolis... but above all, the PERFECT playground for unforgettable outings with friends! Whether you're after adrenaline, culture, group challenges or simply a great time together, the city is bursting with original activities that will transform your weekends into real adventures. We've tracked down 25 tried-and-tested activities that will get you out of the same old "cinema-dinner" routine. From ultra-immersive action games to the craziest escape games, karting to creative workshops, and completely unusual experiences... you'll be spoilt for choice!
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1. The Pixel Rush Action Game (yes, we're a little biased)
📍 10 Rue Thomas Blanchet, 69008 Lyon
Pixel Rush is an interactive gaming arena of nearly 800 m² where your body becomes the controller of a life-size video game. The concept blends sport, agility, strategy and thinking into an ultra-immersive experience.
On site, 8 themed rooms await you: Grid, Arena, Laser, Tacti-Tap, Climbing, Mega Grid, Hide & Seek and Basket Rush. Inside, you'll find more than 300 interactive challenges, spread across different difficulty levels, so everyone can play at their own pace.
How it works?
You wear a connected wristband that records your performance in real time. For 1 hour, you have free access to all the rooms. Each game lasts on average between 2 and 5 minutes: just intense enough to work up a sweat, but short enough to keep challenging yourself without any downtime.
What we love (without false modesty):
- The variety of challenges, which test both body and mind
- The gaming-inspired universe, with a fun and immersive atmosphere
- Total freedom: you choose your games, adjust the difficulty and decide whether to cooperate… or compete
Who is it for?
- Our games accommodate between 2 and 5 players per session, depending on the activity chosen
- Friends, families, colleagues, competitive spirits or the simply curious
- Accessible from age 8, with an adult accompanying younger players
The bonus: your scores are saved, which lets you track your progress and come back to try and beat your own records in future sessions.
2. Intervalle Escape Game
📍 235 Rue Vendôme, 69003 Lyon
A note to all muggles who secretly dream of receiving their letter of admission to a famous school of magic! Intervalle has created "The Sorcerer's Legacy", an escape game that will delight all fans of wizardry (we won't name any names to avoid lawsuits, but you get the idea).
From the moment you step through the door, you are transported to an ultra-realistic school of magic. The sets are crafted down to the finest detail, to the point where you find yourself looking for Platform 9¾. Your mission in 60 minutes? Prevent a legendary artefact from falling into the wrong hands.
What makes it different: Forget the classic padlocks you find everywhere. Here, it's all ingenious mechanisms and hands-on interactions that truly make you feel like you're doing magic. You'll operate secret levers, trigger hidden passages, decipher ancient formulas... Like real apprentice wizards!
Why it's perfect with friends: The puzzles are intelligently designed — challenging enough that you need to think together, but never frustrating. Teamwork is essential, which creates genuine moments of cooperation and camaraderie.
The bonus: Intervalle also offers "Mechanisation", a room set in a completely different steampunk universe. Perfect if you want to come back and try something else!
Practical info: 2 to 8 players, accessible from age 8 with an adult. Expect around €25-28 per person depending on group size.
3. The Museum of Illusions
📍 1 Rue Bellecordière, 69002 Lyon
Prepare to stop trusting your senses! The Museum of Illusions, nestled in the magnificent Grand Hôtel-Dieu, offers you 700 m² of visual discoveries that will literally blow your mind.
On the programme: the Vortex Tunnel that will make you stumble even though the floor is perfectly flat, the Infinity Room where you multiply into thousands of copies, the Mirror Room for completely wild body distortions, and the Tilted Room that defies all laws of gravity. And that's before counting the dozens of other installations where you can take the most improbable photos of your life!
What makes the experience unique: Every illusion comes with its complete scientific explanation. You'll discover how your eye perceives one thing and why your brain interprets it completely differently. It's fascinating and you genuinely learn about how our perception works.
4. SENSAS
📍 14 Rue Michel Félizat, 69007 Lyon
Imagine a 2-hour course where you explore your 5 senses through rooms each more surprising than the last.
At Sensas, you'll move through dreamlike universes, interactive artistic installations, psychedelic light shows, unexpected taste experiences... Each room is a discovery, a sense of wonder. It's like entering a waking dream.
The amazing thing: The experience is different each visit as some installations evolve and change. You can come back with the same group of friends and discover new things.
Who is it for? Friends looking for original experiences, lovers of immersive art, those who want to live something completely unprecedented.
5. Quizz Room
📍 51 Rue Denuzière, 69002 Lyon
Remember TV quiz nights? Now imagine that you ARE in the show! Quizz Room is exactly that: private rooms equipped with buzzers, giant screens and hundreds of questions on every imaginable topic.
General knowledge, music, cinema, sport, history, geography... Form teams, buzz in, answer, and may the best team win!
What makes the experience great: It's private, so you're amongst yourselves. You can shout, tease each other, form alliances... in short, have fun.
Who is it for? Groups of 4 to 30 players, fans of general knowledge, those who love friendly competition.
6. L'Hachez-Vous
📍 4 Rue de l'Épée, 69003 Lyon
L'Hachez-Vous is the temple of axe throwing in Lyon, in a safe environment supervised by professionals.
How it works? You stand in front of a wooden target, grip your axe (specially adapted for throwing), take aim and throw!
Why it's fun with friends: Because it's completely unusual, it creates healthy competition and it's a great release. Bad day at work? A session of axe throwing and all is well!
Who is it for? Groups of 2 to 12 people, those looking for an original activity, Vikings at heart.
7. Tree Climbing at Vanciaventure
📍 Fort de Vancia, 69140 Rillieux-la-Pape
Fancy some fresh air and feeling like Tarzan? Head to Vanciaventure, THE adventure climbing park of the Lyon area!
Perched in the trees of Fort de Vancia, this park offers courses for all levels, from the easiest (to warm up) to the most extreme (for the daredevils). Giant zip lines, monkey bridges, Tarzan jumps, suspended courses... you'll be blown away (and your legs will know about it).
The asset of the place: The natural setting is magnificent, away from city noise. You're in the trees, surrounded by greenery, with an open view.
Who is it for? Groups of sporty friends, thrill-seekers, those who want to physically challenge themselves.
What to bring: Sports clothes, closed shoes, a water bottle and sunscreen if you go in summer. Courses can last 2 to 3 hours depending on your level.
8. Virtual Room Lyon
📍 36 Rue du Plat, 69002 Lyon
You may have already tried virtual reality at home. But VR in a dedicated venue with your friends, using premium equipment, is on another level!
Virtual Room offers multiplayer experiences where you literally step into ultra-realistic 3D universes. Zombies to fight, spaceships to pilot, mysteries to solve... you live the adventure from the inside, together, communicating via headsets.
The crazy thing: You see your friends represented by avatars in the game, you can interact with them, coordinate... It's mind-blowingly realistic.
9. Bubble Football at We Are Sports
📍 221 Av. Francis de Pressensé, 69200 Vénissieux
You know football. Now imagine football... inside an inflatable bubble! Welcome to the crazy world of Bubble Football.
You slip into a transparent inflatable bubble that covers you from the upper torso up over your head. Your legs remain free. And then it's on for a match full of collisions, rolls and uncontrollable laughter!
Who is it for? Groups of 6 to 14 players (2 teams), those who want to let off steam without taking things too seriously, fans of offbeat activities.
Practical tip: Allow for some recovery time afterwards, because it really shakes you up. And avoid eating just before (given all the rolling).
The bonus: We Are Sports offers plenty of other activities (laser game, archery tag...) — you can combine them for a 100% sport-and-fun day.
10. Private Karaoke at Kbox
📍 8 Pl. Raspail, 69007 Lyon
Karaoke is already fun. Karaoke in a private room with just your friends is 10 times better! At Kbox, you rent your own private box equipped with an amazing sound system, giant screens and a catalogue of thousands of songs.
French hits, international chart-toppers, rock classics, rap, pop... there's something for everyone. You can chain songs together, do duets, have sing-offs, or just belt it out at the top of your voice with nobody there to judge you.
What changes everything: Being with friends in a closed room removes all the pressure. The shyest ones finally dare to sing and the talented ones can completely let go. A relaxed atmosphere guaranteed.
Who is it for? Music lovers, those who want a fun and quirky evening.
The hack: Book a box with a drinks/snacks package and you stay in your cocoon for the whole session. Perfect for a birthday or an EVG/EVJF!
BOOK YOUR SESSION AT PIXEL RUSH!
11. Only Kart
📍 195 Av. de l'Industrie, 01120 Dagneux
20 minutes from Lyon, Only Kart offers an 800-metre indoor track with high-performance karts that reach up to 70 km/h. It's THE reference karting spot in the region.
The track is technical, with banked corners, straights to build speed and a surface that grips perfectly.
Why we love it: Competing against friends on a karting track is legendary. The bold overtakes, the strategic little nudges (within the rules, of course), the adrenaline rush on the straights... you feel like F1 drivers.
Who is it for? Competitive groups of friends, fans of thrills and speed.
12. IFly Indoor Skydiving Simulator
📍 48 Anc. Rte de Grenoble, 69800 Saint-Priest
Always dreamed of skydiving but never dared take the plunge? IFly is the solution! An indoor freefall simulator that reproduces exactly the sensations of a jump... without the plane, without the stress and in complete safety.
You step into a vertical wind tunnel that generates an airflow of 200 km/h. It literally lifts you and you float in the air. After a full briefing, an instructor accompanies you into the tunnel to guide you.
The sensation: Indescribable. It's truly like flying. At first you feel a little unsteady, then you gain confidence, and then... it's magical. The instructor can even take you up to 10 metres in height if you're comfortable.
Who is it for? All groups of friends seeking new sensations.
Our advice: Come as a group so you can watch each other and capture the moment. The souvenir videos are unforgettable!
13. City Story Lyon
📍 Everywhere in Lyon (starting point of your choice)
City Story is the perfect concept to (re)discover Lyon in a fun way. Download the app, choose your route and off you go on a 2.0 treasure hunt through the city streets!
Via your smartphone, you receive puzzles to solve, challenges to complete, clues to find... It takes you to places you didn't know, introduces you to local history and above all creates a real team adventure.
The clever advantage: You manage your own pace. You can take coffee breaks, take photos, have a picnic... all while progressing through the game. It's extremely flexible.
Who is it for? Curious groups of friends, treasure hunt enthusiasts, those who want to discover Lyon differently.
14. Only Paintball
📍 1749 Rue de Jons, 01120 Niévroz
Paintball is THE classic outing for friends who want to let off steam and play at war (soft version). Only Paintball offers several themed fields: forest, village, urban zone...
Equipped with protective masks and launchers, you'll have to devise strategies, cooperate with your team, storm positions, defend your base...
What we love: The strategic aspect. It's not just "shoot everywhere" — you have to think, communicate, coordinate attacks.
Who is it for? Groups of 6 to 50 players, strategy game fans, those looking for outdoor action.
15. Bowling des Lumières
📍 2 Avenue Simone Veil, 69150 Décines-Charpieu
Bowling may be classic, but at Bowling des Lumières, it's a true Lyon institution! Top-quality lanes, a luminous musical atmosphere, a bar and restaurant on site... everything is in place for a great evening.
Form your teams, roll the balls, celebrate the strikes... Bowling is simple, fun and never fails.
The extra touch: They regularly organise themed evenings (80s, neon...) with DJs, light shows and a wild atmosphere.
Who is it for? Absolutely any group, any level. The perfect activity when you don't want to overthink it.
BOOK YOUR SESSION AT PIXEL RUSH!
16. I-Way: F1 Simulation
📍 4 Rue Jean Marcuit, 69009 Lyon
F1 fans and simracing enthusiasts, we've found your paradise! I-Way is a venue equipped with professional F1 simulators — the same ones used by real drivers in training.
Force-feedback steering wheel, ultra-responsive pedals, immersive screens, surround sound... you are IN the car. You feel every corner, every braking point, every acceleration. And you can drive on legendary circuits: Monza, Spa, Silverstone, Monaco...
What's incredible: The realism. This is not an arcade game — it's a real simulation. You understand why F1 drivers are elite athletes. Holding 20 laps flat out is physically and mentally exhausting.
Who is it for? Motorsport fans, competitive groups of friends, those who want to test their driving skills.
17. Brasserie Georges
📍 30 Cr de Verdun Perrache, 69002 Lyon
We're taking a small break from action activities to tell you about an institution: Brasserie Georges. Founded in 1836 (yes, 1836!), it is the oldest brasserie in Lyon, and probably the most iconic.
Huge Art Deco dining room, waiters in uniform, Parisian brasserie atmosphere... You are transported to another era. And food-wise? Real Lyon cuisine and brasserie classics: choucroute, andouillette, quenelles, tête de veau...
Why come with friends: Because it's the perfect place for a convivial meal after (or before) an activity. The tables can accommodate large groups, the atmosphere is warm and it's a genuine Lyon experience.
Who is it for? Food lovers, fans of historically rich venues, those who want to discover authentic local cuisine.
18. La Beer Fabrique
📍 10 Rue Saint-Polycarpe, 69001 Lyon
Do you like beer? You're going to LOVE brewing your own! La Beer Fabrique offers workshops where you learn the entire beer-making process, from ingredient selection to bottling.
For 3 hours, you'll crack the malt, cook the wort, add the hops, adjust the flavours... A real brewing class with a passionate master brewer who shares all the secrets. And the best part? You leave with YOUR own bottles!
Who is it for? Groups of budding brewers, craft beer enthusiasts, those looking for an original and educational activity.
19. Fluorescent Painting at Mory
📍 20 Rue Royale, 69001 Lyon
At Mory, you don't do classical painting. You do fluorescent art in COMPLETE DARKNESS with music blasting! Imagine a room plunged into darkness, lit only by UV light, and you paint on canvas with neon colours that glow as if by magic.
Zero artistic pressure, zero judgement. It's just you, your friends, paint that pops and a playlist that sets the mood. You create your artwork by completely letting go and take it home with you.
Why it's great: Because the atmosphere is amazing. Neon colours under UV are psychedelic. The music carries you. And we all discover our inner artist when we stop overthinking!
Who is it for? Creative groups (or not), those looking for a different activity, fans of atypical evenings.
20. Original Group Photo at Studio Le Carré
📍 25 Quai Saint Vincent, 69001 Lyon
When did you last take real group photos? Not poorly framed selfies, but REAL professional photos? Studio Le Carré is the perfect spot to immortalise your crew.
Professional photographer, varied sets, fun props, controlled lighting... You'll experience a real photo shoot like stars. Classic photos, wild photos, improbable staging... The photographer guides you and captures the best moments.
What we love: The photos are stunning (it's professional equipment), the atmosphere is relaxed and you leave with tangible memories. Perfect for a milestone birthday, an EVG/EVJF or simply to create great memories.
Who is it for? All groups of friends, special occasions, those who want beautiful photos together!
21. Music Quiz at Musi'Quiz
📍 45 Quai du Dr Gailleton, 69002 Lyon
A music quiz... on a barge moored on the Rhône! Musi'Quiz is THE evening you need if you're music fans.
The concept? You board the barge with your team, settle in comfortably, and it's off to 2 hours of wild music quizzing! Song intros to recognise, blind tests, music trivia, singing challenges... All hosted by a DJ-host who sets the place alight.
The atmosphere: Electric. You're on the water, in an unusual setting, with music blaring, buzzers going off in all directions, teams going head-to-head... It's festive, fun and addictive.
Who is it for? Music lovers, blind test fans, groups wanting an original and lively evening.
The bonus: You can hire the barge for a private event. Imagine your birthday on the water with a personalised music quiz!
22. The Jury Experience: The Trial of the Murderous AI
📍 6 Avenue Gaston Berger, Villeurbanne, 69100
Here is probably the most original and forward-thinking experience on this list. The Jury Experience puts you in the shoes of a juror at a fictional trial... of an artificial intelligence accused of murder.
You'll listen to the arguments, examine the evidence, debate with fellow jurors and deliver your verdict. The story is gripping, the arguments on both sides are solid, and you'll be 200% absorbed.
What's extraordinary: The ethical and philosophical questions raised. Can an AI be guilty? Who is responsible? The debates between participants are fascinating and reveal a lot about our values.
Who is it for? Groups who like to think, debate and grapple with complex questions. Black Mirror fans, you'll love this.
23. Titanic Exhibition
📍 La Sucrière, 49-50 Quai Rambaud, 69002 Lyon
La Sucrière regularly hosts high-quality temporary exhibitions. When the Titanic exhibition is on, it's an absolute must-see.
Authentic objects brought up from the wreck, full-scale reconstructions of cabins, survivor testimonies, scientific explanations of the sinking... You literally dive into the history of the world's most famous ocean liner.
The emotion: Powerful. You hold (virtually) objects that sank with the ship. You discover the individual stories of the passengers. You grasp the scale of the tragedy.
Who is it for? History enthusiasts, groups wanting a memorable cultural outing, the curious.
24. Dark Experience: Horror Escape Game (Not for the Faint-Hearted)
📍 4 Rue Constantine, 69001 Lyon
Want to scare yourselves silly with friends? Dark Experience is Lyon's most terrifying escape game. Creepy atmosphere, actors playing frightening roles, oppressive ambience... You will scream — it's guaranteed.
The scenarios are inspired by the best horror films: haunted psychiatric asylums, cursed manors, sordid laboratories... Every detail is designed to make you uncomfortable and create unbearable tension.
Warning: This is NOT for everyone. If you are sensitive, claustrophobic or have a weak heart, give it a miss. But if you love being scared... go for it!
Who is it for? Hardcore horror fans, groups who want to test their limits, adrenaline-seekers.
25. Bomb Squad Lyon
📍 5 Rue Servient, 69003 Lyon
We end in style with Bomb Squad, a unique concept that blends escape game and action film. Your mission? Defuse a bomb in 60 minutes flat.
You're in a room straight out of a blockbuster, facing a complex explosive device. Cut the right wires, crack the codes, solve the puzzles... and above all, don't make a mistake. The clock ticks down, the pressure mounts, your hands shake...
The adrenaline: At its maximum. The ticking clock, the codes to crack under pressure, the fear of making the wrong move... You're in a film and you are the heroes.
Who is it for? Escape game fans, thrill-seekers, those who love challenges under pressure.
The Best Activities to Do With Friends in Lyon: Conclusion
There you have it — you now have 25 ideas for activities to do with friends in Lyon so you never have to hear "What are we doing this weekend?" again.
From pure action at Pixel Rush to immersive escape games, cultural experiences to completely off-the-wall activities, Lyon offers an incredibly varied playground. Every outing can become an adventure, every weekend a new discovery.
Our final piece of advice? Step outside your comfort zone. Try activities you never imagined doing. That's often where the best memories are made. That axe-throwing session you thought sounded odd? You're going to love it. That music quiz on a barge? It'll become your annual evening. That neon painting session? The most fun moment of the year.
Lyon is a vibrant, creative city that constantly invents new concepts to keep you entertained. Take advantage of it! Get out, move, laugh, live experiences together. Because in the end, what matters isn't really the activity itself — it's the moments shared with your friends.
PS: If you're looking for THE activity that combines sport, fun, technology and adrenaline to kick off this list in style, you know where to find us: Pixel Rush, 10 Rue Thomas Blanchet, 69008 Lyon. We can't wait to welcome you for an action game session you'll remember for a long time!
BOOK YOUR SESSION AT PIXEL RUSH!
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