RoamRide
HikingHistorical

Private Walking Tour of the Traboules in Lyon

4.6(11 reviews)Lyon, France
2h30DurationEnglish, French, SpanishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupModerateLevel

About this experience

On this private walking tour, you will explore the traboules of Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse, visiting historic passageways that are typically inaccessible to the public. The tour is exclusively for you and your group, allowing for a personalized experience without the presence of strangers. A certified local guide will accompany you, providing insights into the history of silk workers, known as the Canuts, and the French Resistance during World War II. The route can be tailored to your interests, whether you prefer to focus on architecture, medieval history, local life, or UNESCO heritage sites. This tour highlights both emblematic and lesser-known traboules among the city's more than 500 passageways.

Itinerary

1

La Croix-Rousse

Traboules Croix-Rousse Hill Walk through the Croix-Rousse hill, the historic district of Lyon’s silk workers (Canuts). Discover tall, functional traboules designed for transporting silk, hidden courtyards, and stairways used during the 19th-century revolts and the French Resistance. This area offers a more raw, industrial vision of the traboules, far from postcard tourism.

2

The Presqu'ile

Traboules Presqu’île (Peninsula of Lyon) Explore discreet traboules in the Presqu’île, linking streets between the Rhône and Saône rivers. Learn how these passageways shaped commercial life, urban movement, and daily routines in central Lyon. This section highlights the contrast between public façades and hidden inner courtyards, revealing how the city truly functioned behind the scenes.

3

Vieux Lyon

Traboules & Courtyards – Old Town (Vieux Lyon) Enter the Renaissance heart of Lyon, with its iconic traboules and inner courtyards in Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through richly decorated passageways, spiral staircases, and merchant courtyards that reflect Lyon’s role as a major European trading city. This part focuses on architecture, medieval history, and the evolution of the old town from the 15th century onward.

What's included / not included

Private professional local guide
No mandatory in-destination costs – all fees are included in the tour priceBrunch

Additional information

Accessibility and comfort

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Traveller reviews

4.611 reviews

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