“a family holiday”
Customer interview
Once upon a time… A family vacation in Lyon. Claire G, a guest of the Globe et Cecil hotel, played the game of the micro trottoire interview to answer all our questions about the organization of her vacation.
What made you want to spend a few days in Lyon with your family?
“We’d been wanting to discover Lyon with the kids for a long time. My husband and I had already been there, but almost fifteen years ago, when we were still students. We remembered a very lively city with lots of restaurants (and we love to eat). With two children aged 8 and 11, we were looking for a destination for a long weekend that was both cultural and pleasant to walk around, and where we could also simply stroll around. Lyon ticked all the boxes.
And it has to be said that the city’s reputation in terms of gastronomy plays a big part. Children are starting to take an interest in cooking, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to show them a type of cuisine they don’t yet know.”
And how did you choose our home for your stay?
“I remember very well the moment I came across your hotel. I was looking for an establishment in the city center, because with children you like to be able to go out without having to get back in the car or take public transport every five minutes. What immediately appealed to me was the impression of a hotel with a real personality.
We see a lot of hotels these days, and they all look a bit the same. At your place, the photos showed a warm, very pretty place, almost like a big town house.
And the location seemed ideal. When you’re discovering a city with children, being able to do everything on foot really changes the experience.”
How did your arrival in Lyon go?
“Very simply. We arrived by train in the late morning. The kids were already excited about the weekend, and as soon as they took their first steps into the city center, they started looking everywhere. What struck us right away was the atmosphere: there’s something very lively, but without being oppressive like in Paris, for example.
When we arrived at the hotel, the welcome was very natural. The children were immediately seen as real travelers, not just as “guests’ children”. It may seem like a small thing, but it makes a big difference.
They explained how the hotel worked, the little touches available, and above all gave us several ideas for family-friendly outings. It immediately put us in the mood.”
Lyon, for young and old… ?
Did the children settle in quickly?
“Very quickly, yes. They immediately spotted the little games provided. It may seem trivial, but when you’re traveling with the family, these little touches count for a lot.
On the first evening, after walking all day, the four of us got together in the bedroom to play a board game. It was a very simple moment, but I think it’s precisely this kind of memory that children retain.
They felt like they were in a welcoming home rather than a hotel.”
And your first discoveries in the city?
“From the very first afternoon, we set off to explore the surrounding area. The great thing about Lyon is that you quickly get the impression of traveling to several cities in a single day.
We began by strolling through the streets of the city center, simply to soak up the atmosphere. The kids loved looking at the facades, the little squares: Jacobins and Célestins, and the stores. I must say, everything here is beautiful!
They also quickly discovered the famous traboules. For them, it was like going on an adventure in a secret labyrinth.”
Have you explored Vieux Lyon?
“Yes, and it was one of the highlights of the stay. We went there the next morning. The kids felt like they were walking into a movie set!
The cobbled streets, the colorful houses, the little bakeries… it all creates a very special atmosphere. We took the time to lose ourselves a little and stopped to taste some of Lyon’s specialties. The children were very intrigued by the names of the dishes in the famous “bouchons lyonnais” .”
Have you enjoyed the banks of the Rhône or Saône rivers?
“Yes, very much so. It’s one of my favorite aspects of Lyon. The quays are really designed for walkers.
One evening, after dinner, we simply walked along the water. The children ran ahead of us along the Rhone quay, looking at the boats, observing the reflections of the lights… They had trouble understanding the notion of “peninsula”. The kids spent a long time observing the city, trying to spot the places we’d already visited.”
And your return to the hotel in the evening?
“It was a real pleasure. After a day of walking and exploring, finding a quiet, welcoming place makes all the difference.
The children had got into the habit of sitting on the sofas and ordering a drink before going back up to their rooms! Mint syrup on one side and apricot juice on the other. This was the moment to debrief the day before going up to the room for a shower or a little nap.”
if you had to give one piece of advice to a family looking to move to Lyon?
“Take the time.
Don’t try to see everything. Lyon is a city to be discovered by walking, stopping and observing.
Let yourself be surprised by an alley, a square, a café. Talk to the people. Taste the local specialities.
And above all, come with the kids: they’ll see the city in a different way… and maybe help you discover details you’d never have noticed.”
Yes, the Globe et Cecil hotel regularly welcomes families visiting Lyon. Some rooms can accommodate up to 3 or 4 people (including a cot), and baby facilities are available on request.
Yes, there are a number of room configurations available for family stays in the heart of Lyon, just a few minutes’ walk from Place Bellecour and Vieux Lyon. 3 to 4 people per room, or adjoining rooms for greater privacy.
Yes, cots are available on request. Please specify when booking.
Yes, the hotel is located on Lyon’s Presqu’île, an ideal location for doing everything on foot: restaurants, walks, ice cream shops, museums and public transport if required. Don’t hesitate to ask our receptionists if you have any questions.
Yes, the hotel is easily accessible with a stroller. The hotel also has a luggage room if you don’t want to take it along, and an elevator to take it up to your room.
Yes, you’ll find Vieux Lyon, the quays of the Saône, child-friendly museums, parks and plenty of family walks just a few minutes away. We recommend reading our dedicated articles to find the perfect activities tested and approved by the Globe and Cecil.
Yes, the breakfast buffet offers a variety of gourmet products enjoyed by young and old alike. It’s free for children under 5 and half-price for children under 12.
Yes, even though the hotel is located in the city center, the double-glazed rooms offer maximum comfort and soundproofing, so you can enjoy a relaxing family stay without waking up at night!
Yes, that’s one of the great advantages of Le Globe et Cecil. Metro, bus, bikes and streetcars are all just a few minutes’ walk away. In fact, we recommend that you experience Lyon without a car (much easier…)!
Yes, several parking lots are available in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, convenient for families traveling by car. LPA Célestins or Bellecour are the nearest.
Yes, dogs and pets are accepted at Le Globe et Cecil, and for a family holiday, that’s the least we can do, isn’t it? Allow 15€/day/pet.
Yes, the central location and comfortable rooms make the hotel particularly convenient for a weekend or extended family vacation in Lyon. If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
There are many restaurants, brasseries and friendly addresses within walking distance of the hotel. We’ll be happy to help you with baby diapers, children’s menus and other requests.
Le Globe et Cecil’s central location makes it easy to discover Lyon’s main tourist areas without having to travel far. We’d recommend it if this is your first stay in Lyon. What’s more, we love to see your children playing in the lobby (wooden games, teddy bears, books available).
Experience Lyon on foot, enjoy a hotel that’s far from the norm, full of charm and share a stay for two in one of the city’s most pleasant districts.