The quais de Saône at 9 am in May, the light bouncing off the water, and that sudden urge to get your computer out at a terrace rather than going back to working from home. Lyon has an outdoor season that starts early and runs until October, and the city has built up some genuinely good addresses for working outside without compromise.

We looked for the terraces that go further than two chairs on a pavement: the ones with shade, space, and a welcome that doesn't make you feel guilty about opening your computer. Here are five addresses we keep in our favourites.

Mama Works Lyon

Cours Lafayette in the 3rd. Mama Works bets on a sunny terrace and a bright interior for long working days. It's a modern coworking space that includes unlimited coffee in the package, UX/UI workshops to build your skills, and a genuinely welcoming setting.

Professional atmosphere and a bright setting. Open Tuesday to Friday, so forget it for weekend sessions. The terrace gets good afternoon light.

The go-to spot for intense working weeks when you want something serious without the sterile feel of a big chain.

Le R

Place Vaclav Havel in the 7th. Le R de Gerland is a hybrid café-coworking space where you can settle in to work (access terms on its website). You can sit on the terrace or inside, and the menu focuses on organic and local produce.

Large tables, a quiet atmosphere, honest food and coffee. Neighbourhood freelances have made it their second office, and the atmosphere is always studious without being tense.

Our favourite on the left bank of the Rhône for full working days where you want coworking comfort without a subscription.

Belle Lurette

Rue de la Claire in the 9th. Belle Lurette is a café-canteen with an outdoor courtyard and a bright interior room. It's the spot we keep for afternoons when you want a warm setting without going into the city centre.

Home-cooked food made from fresh, local produce. The courtyard is a real plus for working in the shade on days when the 9th is baking. The menu changes regularly, so you never have to eat the same thing twice.

The spot for a day in Vaise where you want to genuinely switch off during your lunch break without compromising on quality.

Perko Café

Place du Griffon in the 1st. Perko Café is a spacious tearoom in a small old house, with a welcoming team and a terrace on the square in summer. It's the solid base when you want to work on the Presqu'île without overcomplicating things.

Everything is there: a studious atmosphere, decent food, computer completely welcome. The terrace gets good afternoon sun, and the place du Griffon is quieter than you might expect given its proximity to the Hôtel de Ville.

Perfect for Presqu'île sessions when you want good coffee and some fresh air.

BOTANI Café

Quai Claude Bernard in the 7th. BOTANI Café is a lush venue with a large terrace overlooking the Rhône swimming pool. It's probably the most aspirational terrace in this selection, and the experience delivers on the promise outside of service hours.

Solid food and coffee, relaxed atmosphere. For working, aim outside of the midday service: you'll have the terrace to yourself with the view as a bonus.

The spot for an afternoon of writing where you want your working session to feel like a break by the water.

How to work well on a terrace in Lyon

Three tips that make the difference in Lyon:

  • The July heatwave is serious. Above 32 degrees, forget terraces without real shade. Target indoor courtyards, dense canopies, or ventilated lobbies.
  • The quais de Saône bake in the afternoon. Beautiful in the morning, harder to bear after 2 pm in high summer. For long sessions, the la Croix-Rousse side is cooler.
  • The mistral doesn't really reach here, but the wind off the Rhône does. If you're working on the quais, bring something to weigh down your papers.

For more

If you want our full selection of spots in Lyon, we also have a guide covering all the best spots in the city (cafés, coworking spaces, community spaces), not just terraces. For detailed listings of places in Lyon, head to our city page.

Looking for terraces in another city this summer? We also have selections for Saint-Étienne, Grenoble, Avignon.

In summary

Lyon has everything it takes to become a real reference for outdoor nomadic working: density of great spots, a mild climate for six months of the year, and a genuine coworking scene that understands the value of outdoor space. Our selection covers all vibes: Presqu'île, right bank of the Rhône, quais de Saône, Vaise.

Looking for other types of spots in Lyon? Find all our Lyon selections and city guides on Deskover.