5 Best Performing Arts in Lyon and the Alps, France

Les Détours de Babel

Fodor's choice

For three weeks in late March and early April this "transcultural" music festival is prime time for 85 or more concerts of exceptional originality and cultural breadth held in venues throughout the city, from historic churches to state-of-the-art concert venues.

Annecy Festival

Started in the 1960s, this international animated film festival, one of the most respected in the industry, takes place for one week every June in and around the town of Annecy. The festival receives more than 2,500 entries annually from which 200 are short-listed to take part in the official selection. In addition to indoor screenings around town—the Musée-Château, La Turbine, the Parc Vignières-Pommaries—there's a free screening on the giant screen on the Pâquier lawn each evening.

Espace Gerson

Vieux Lyon

The café-theater Espace Gerson presents revues and assorted stand-up shows.

Recommended Fodor's Video

L'Accessoire Café-Théâtre

Presqu'île

Here you can eat and drink while watching a comedy show.

Le Complexe du Rire

Presqu'île

Also known as the Minette Theatre, Le Complexe du Rire is a lively satirical café-theater above Place des Terreaux.