On 16 June 2008, Makoun signed with seven-time French champions Olympique Lyonnais on a four-year contract, where he re–joined Manager Claude Puel shirtly afrer. The fee was worth €14 million with Lille set to receive another €1 million based on incentives. During his time with Lyon, Makoun wore the number 17 shirt, which was retired in 2003 after the death of Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé. Makoun, also from Cameroon and a native of Yaoundé, stated on wearing the number: "In memory of Marc, for me and for the whole Cameroon, this will be for something."