Hi, I will be in Lyon for 4 months in the fall, and was hoping to get some advice as to where I can go for the weekends. I'll be taking classes during the week, but would love some guidance as to how far is realistic to travel. I could leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday evening.

Thank you!

Why not Paris?

Annecy.

Try to get to the Monastery of the Grand Chartreuse. Gorgeous mountain setting.

And there's hiking all throughout the Vercors.

With that much time, there's no reason you couldn't TGV to Avignon and explore a bit of Provence.

Lyon is one of my favorite cities. I can't imagine how much weight I could gain if I were there for 4 months.

There are countless great destinations that are doable for a weekend, depending on your transportation options.

I've never seen the monastery, but the other suggestions above would all be on my list. Also, Provence to the south, Beaugolais & Burgundy to the north, Alps to the east. I have based in Lyon several times and have always wanted to visit Bourg en-Bresse but have yet to make it. Go there for a poulet roti.

Well, the French rail system is fabulous, so you could get just about anywhere for a weekend. All over France, to Italy or Germany or the Netherlands or Belgium or Switzerland...the possibilities are pretty much endless.

Hi,
For starters, Annecy, Paris, Avignon, Montpellier, Dijon, Geneva, Grenoble, Marseille are all within striking distance by train from Lyon for weekend trips.
If driving, then try the stunningly beautiful Parc National de la Chartreuse (as mentioned by Cimbrone), or head to Provence, Burgundy, the Beaujolais area, Savoy, Auvergne...
There is so much to see and do in and around Lyon that you will be spoilt for choice

Thank you! I'm pretty much clueless as this is my first time traveling to Europe. I truly appreciate your insight!

Not for a full weekend but worth a visit is the Palais Ideale at Hauterives - south of Lyon.

For a 1/2 day trip you must get to Perouges, a restored medieval village about 20 mi. NE of Lyon, accessible by bus. And try the tarte au sucre, a sweet treat for which it is famous.