Photo by Matt Neale from UK (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 2.0

Vieux Lyon & traboules walking tours

UNESCO-listed Old Lyon is best explored with a guide who knows the hidden passageways and Renaissance courtyards.

Best time to visit

Morning or late afternoon for quieter streets and softer light.

Typical tour length

2 to 3 hours for traboules, cathedral, and food stops.

Ideal for

History lovers, photographers, and first-time visitors to Lyon.

Why Vieux Lyon is a must-see

Old Lyon blends medieval lanes with Renaissance architecture built for Italian merchants and silk traders. A guided walk unlocks the story behind the traboules, the silk trade, and the historic streets that shaped Lyon's reputation.

Highlights to include on your tour

Traboules like Passage du Boeuf and hidden courtyards off Rue Saint-Jean.
Saint-Jean Cathedral and its astronomical clock.
Maison du Chamarier, Tour Rose, and Renaissance facades.
Traditional bouchons for lunch or tasting stops.

How to find a Vieux Lyon tour guide

Ask for Guide-Conferencier certified guides through the Lyon Tourist Office.
Look for guides who specialize in heritage walking tours and traboules access.
Book a small-group tour for a deeper storytelling experience.

Practical tips

Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones and stairways.
Respect residential spaces inside traboules.
Combine Old Lyon with Fourviere for panoramic views.

More Lyon guides Next: Fourviere Basilica