Entre Rhône et Saône Festival

This new participative gathering has attracted nearly 100 proposals related to art, sport and nature, for a packed three-day event in Lyon. Activities are mainly focussed on the banks of the Rhône, near Guillotière bridge, and the Saône.

On the programme: food, fun and dancing at the guinguettes on the banks of Guillotière (7th district) and Île Barbe (9th district), on the Friday and Saturday from 8 to 11 pm; a treasure hunt based on the history of water, with ExploraLyon and Veolia; a bathtub rowing race down the Rhône in a carnival atmosphere, organised by Lyon Sport Métropole.

On the Saturday afternoon, a big parade will be leaving from Place des Terreaux, one of the city’s main squares, and making its way to Guillotière bridge, along the banks of the Rhône. Residents of Lyon young and old, dressed in the colours of their district, as well as visitors, are welcome to walk with the parade, to the rhythm of batucada drumming ensembles and alongside stilt walkers. Following this, participants will be treated to the ‘Réveil de la Mâchecroute’ (Awakening of Mâchecroute), a 15-minute show that will bring the mysterious creature lurking in the Rhône back to life. If you’re not free Saturday afternoon, worry not, as the Mâchecroute will be making appearances throughout the festival.

Also on the programme, there will be many games for kids and grown-ups, conferences, performances, walks by the water’s edge, sailing and diving lessons for beginners, and a whole range of fun leisure activities, over the course of a festive weekend that can only be experienced in Lyon.