no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 07 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

Vieux (old) Lyon is the most beautiful (and touristy) quarter of the city. It’s tucked in between River Saone’s west bank and the steep Fourviere hillside – a narrow slice of land crammed with beautifully preserved mansions, many dating from the 16th-century French Renaissance. It’s especially famed for its traboules, which are secretive, narrow alleyways leading between the different mansions.

The quarter reveals how Lyon thrived in the Renaissance; many of its finest houses were built for Italian silk merchants. The area has been stunningly restored, but many of the mansions have very touristy establishments on the ground floor.

While you’re there

The area’s most significant building is Saint-Jean Cathedral, a sturdy Gothic structure on the Saone covered in intriguing carved panels. In the peaceful interior, the rose windows and astrological clock are highlights.

The quarter’s grandest mansion houses the Gadagne Museum. It includes two museums: the Museum of Lyon History tracing the city’s history since Medieval times, and the World Puppet Museum, with over 2,000 puppets.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The streets of Vieux Lyon are best explored on foot. A whole series of delightful bridges, some pedestrian, cross the Saone from the Presqu’Ile into Vieux Lyon. You can pick up a map of the traboules (narrow alleyways) from the tourist office.

Walk down Rue St-Jean – it cuts right through Vieux Lyon, from north to south, but with many delightful squares punctuating the route. The way is packed with shops, eateries and architectural curiosities.

For eating and drinking after a wander, there are masses of restaurants in Vieux Lyon, but many are over-touristy. Les Loges in the Cour des Loges hotel hits the mark with stylish options, while Jeremy Galvan serves excellent creative tasting menus.

There are also one or two enchanting, authentic old-style patisseries in the quarter. A La Marquise on Rue St-Jean is a particular delight, with its own beautiful, secretive courtyard.

When to do it

The traboules are at their most atmospheric first thing in the morning. Otherwise, early evening is a good time to visit, when the streets bustle with locals winding down.

Close up of a man holding a plate with 2 delicious looking filled tacos
Experience

Food Traboule

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

Set in the Tour Rose, a stand-out Renaissance building, this trendy food court contains multiple spaces managed by twelve creative chefs. Look out for international dishes with innovative local twists.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
Close up of a ceramic puppet exhibit in the museum
Experience

Gadagne Museum

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

Housed in Vieux Lyon’s grandest mansion, this small museum is actually two museums: the Museum of Lyon History, which traces the history of the city since medieval times, and the World Puppet Museum, with over 2,000 puppets collected over centuries.

Best for ages: 4+ | £5

Website >
Overview >
Museum of miniatures in french city Lyon. Glass showcase of the museum with action figures in
Experience

Miniatures & Cinema Museum

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

A must for film buffs: Artist Dan Ohlmann showcases 120 miniature scenes and hundreds of film props to reveal the way special effects are made in the world’s leading film studios.

Best for ages: 4+ | £8

Website >
Overview >
Close up of the cathedral front facade
Experience

Saint-Jean Cathedral

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

Henri IV married Marie de Medicis in this stunning medieval cathedral, famed for its 16th-century astronomical clock and one the world’s largest 17th-century bells, rung up to 15 times a year.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English)

Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English)

Lyon

10:00 am/English | On this guided walking tour of Vieux Lyon, you will discover this amazing neighborhood with Paul, your guide. We will exp...

€3 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [509 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Storytelling tour of Old Lyon

Storytelling tour of Old Lyon

Lyon

During this storytelling tour, your guide will immerse you in the magical atmosphere of the Renaissance. The imminent arrival of King Henri ...

€17 | Rating 4.81 / 5 [27 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Lyon Big Traboules in Little City Stories from the Past Private Guided Tour

Lyon Big Traboules in Little City Stories from the Past Private Guided Tour

Lyon

Were there any lions in Lyon? Why did they build so many secret passages and what kind of troubles happened in the "traboules"? Wh...

€39 | Rating 4.93 / 5 [47 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Lyon Old Town Walking Guided Food Tour

Lyon Old Town Walking Guided Food Tour

Lyon

Go to discover the Old Town district between murals paintings, traboules, must-see places punctuated meetings passionate locals craftsmen wh...

€70 | Rating 4.93 / 5 [80 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Cour des Loges

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.1 miles]

Uniquely stylish hotel-with-restaurant stretching across several historic houses in the centre of Vieux Lyon. Perfectly located for sightseeing.

Official star rating:

Villa Florentine

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.2 miles]

Gorgeous convent converted into a calm luxurious retreat, aloof on the Fourviere hillside overlooking Lyon.

Official star rating:

College Hotel

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.4 miles]

Playful school-themed hotel in the heart of Vieux Lyon, offering city views, and a terrace bar where nightly light shows illuminate the facade.

Official star rating:

Hotel Globe et Cecil

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.6 miles]

Chic family-run hotel smack bang in shop-filled Presqu’Ile, offering a cool restaurant serving excellent breakfast and innovative takes on classic Lyonnais dishes.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Lyon

Auberge-Rhone-Alpes, France

The gastronomic capital of France, if not the world, is not just a foodie hotspot. With UNESCO-protected architecture and awe-inspiring Roman ruins, its one for history lovers too..

Website >
Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Fourviere Hill

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.6 miles]

The Fourviere hillside offers panoramic city views, a huge 19th-century basilica, two exceptional Roman theatres, and illuminating insights into Lyon’s Roman past.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Lugdunum Museum

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.7 miles]

Nestled into the Fourviere hillside, Lyon’s fascinating Roman attraction is home to two ancient theatres and a museum filled with artefacts depicting all aspects life in the Roman town of Lugdunum.

Best for ages: 13+ | £3

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Signs hanging from a row of shops in a narrow street
Experience

Village des Createurs

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[0.9 miles]

The go-to spot for shopaholics, this covered passage at the foot of Croix-Rousse houses Lyon’s edgiest fashion and interior design boutiques, plus a hand full of arty pop-up stores.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
stall selling specialty sausages in the La Croix Rousse Market
Experience

La Croix Rousse Market

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[1.3 miles]

Amid the hilly slopes of the former silk-weavers’ quarters, this wonderful daily market (except Mondays) is the locals’ spot for filling up on gourmet treats and taking in the views.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
Exterior of the food hall entrance
Experience

Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[1.8 miles]

Top suppliers fill this stunning covered food market, where gourmet ‘corners’ provide ample seating for you to sample the region’s world-class food amid the hustle and bustle.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >