About Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon is one of Europe's largest Renaissance neighborhoods, a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and hidden traboules (covered passageways) dating from the 15th-16th centuries. Once home to Italian silk merchants and bankers, it retains authentic medieval charm.
⏰ Best Times to Visit
- Morning (9-11 AM): Quieter streets, traboules accessible, shops opening
- Lunch time (12-2 PM): Perfect for bouchon dining experience
- Avoid Sunday mornings: Many shops closed
- Evening: Atmospheric lighting, lively restaurant scene
💰 Costs
- Walking around: Free (public streets and squares)
- Traboules access: Free (but need local knowledge to find open ones)
- Guided walking tours: €15-25 per person (2 hours)
- Private guide: €150-250 for up to 6 people
- Bouchon meals: €25-40 per person for traditional 3-course lunch
🎯 Why Use a Guide
- Access traboules: Most are in private buildings - guides know which are open and when
- Hidden courtyards: Discover Renaissance galleries invisible from the street
- History explained: Silk trade, Italian influence, medieval Lyon
- Best bouchons: Locals recommend authentic restaurants vs. tourist traps
✨ Must-See Highlights
- 🚪 Traboules - Secret passages like 27 Rue St-Jean, 54 Rue St-Jean (most famous)
- 🏛️ Cathédrale St-Jean - 12th-century Gothic cathedral with astronomical clock
- 🏰 Renaissance courtyards - Tour Rose (16 Rue du Boeuf), Maison du Crible
- 🎭 Musée Miniature & Cinéma - Movie props and miniature art
- 🍽️ Rue des Marronniers - Charming street with traditional restaurants
- 📚 Guignol puppet theater - Lyon's famous marionette tradition
🚶 What are Traboules?
Traboules (from Latin "trans-ambulare" = to pass through) are covered passageways connecting parallel streets through building courtyards. Originally built so silk workers could transport fabric protected from rain, they also sheltered French Resistance fighters during WWII.
Over 40 traboules exist in Vieux Lyon, but many are in private residential buildings with restricted access. Guides know which are publicly accessible and respect residents' privacy.
📝 Practical Tips
- Wear good shoes: Cobblestones and stairs - heels not recommended
- Respect residents: Traboules are in people's homes - be quiet, no photos of apartments
- Book bouchons ahead: Traditional restaurants fill up, especially lunch
- Combined with Fourvière: Most tours include hilltop basilica visit