Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour
4,9 (1034)2hLyon, France
From€5
HikingCity toursHistorical
Lyon Old Town Walking Tour in Traboules and Fourvière Funicular
Lyon, France
2h30DurationEnglish, FrenchOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupEasyLevel
About this experience
This walking tour of Lyon takes you through the city's Renaissance streets and hidden traboules, or passageways. It begins in a quiet square rich in Roman history, followed by a visit to St. Jean Cathedral. Participants will explore secret passageways and courtyards, discovering the stories and details that showcase Lyon's charm. The route includes scenic views along the Saône and stops at lesser-known locations. A tasting of the city's famous pink praline brioche is included. The tour concludes with a funicular ride to Fourvière, offering breathtaking views of Lyon and a visit to the basilica. This experience is suitable for anyone interested in history and local culture, but may not be ideal for those with mobility issues due to walking and the funicular ride involved.
Itinerary
1
Passerelle du Palais-de-Justice
Twenty-four columns on the far bank. Behind them, the courtroom where France tried Klaus Barbie. We cross the footbridge with Old Lyon opening up ahead, the hill, the basilica, four hundred years of rooftops. Best view of where we're going, and the right place to explain how this city actually fits together.
2
Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon
Saints missing their heads. A royal wedding. Treasures inside that shouldn't be there. The first church went up on this spot in the 4th century when Lyon was still Roman. What's standing now is eight hundred years old, and every century since has left something behind. We'll find them.
3
Traboules du Vieux Lyon
Lyon's thousand-year-old secret. These passageways have seen silk, revolts, and resistance. Ordinary doors on extraordinary streets. I'll take you through.
4
Maison Du Crible / Pink Tower Of Lyon
You could walk this street a hundred times and never know it was there. Behind the Maison du Crible sits a rose-coloured tower, six storeys of Renaissance staircase built when Lyon's silk money had nowhere left to go but up. Henri IV and Marie de Médicis stayed here after their wedding. We'll go in.
5
Notre Dame de Fourviere
Two hundred metres straight up, in ninety seconds. The funicular hauls you out of the old town and drops you at the top, where Lyon spreads out under you and the Alps sit on the horizon on a clear day. The basilica behind you is a Catholic victory monument dressed as a fairy tale. Every surface covered, nothing left plain, built by a city that had made a promise and meant to keep it. The best view in Lyon.
What's included / not included
Snacks
Additional information
Accessibility and comfort
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We will walk around 3km on Cobblestone streets. There are some stairs to walk up and down, so if you have mobility issues, this tour may not be ideal for you.
