Highlights of Vieux Lyon & Its Hidden Passageways

WHY CHOOSE THIS TOUR?

• 10+ Years of Professional Guiding Experience: I was one of the first independent guides in Lyon. You are getting a seasoned expert with a deep love for this city.

• 2,000+ Five-Star Reviews: Ranked as a top-tier experience across GuruWalk, TripAdvisor, and Viator.

• Step Inside the Secret Traboules: We go beyond the main streets to explore the longest and most hidden Renaissance passageways in Vieux Lyon.

• Exclusive Local Bonus: Every guest receives my free curated flyer packed with authentic restaurant recommendations, bouchon tips, and must-see attractions.

ABOUT THE WALK:

Hi, my name is Paul, and I would love to show you the true heart of my city. Join me for a walk through Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), where every corner has a secret and every stone has a story.

Together, we will wander the cobbled streets and slip through hidden traboules (secret passageways) to uncover Lyon's incredible mix of beauty, dark history, and world-class food. Along the way, you will learn exactly how the famous Michelin Star system really works, spot the modern gargoyle watching over the Cathedral, and hear the truth about traditional bouchon menus (yes, some involve intestines!).

We will delve into the city's darker past as I tell you the gripping story of Klaus Barbie, the "Butcher of Lyon," the heroic French Resistance, and how justice finally caught up with Barbie in Bolivia.

But it is not all dark! We will also talk about the wealthy silk merchants, the legendary chefs like Paul Bocuse who made Lyon the Gastronomic Capital of France, and the city's rebirth into one of Europe's most vibrant cultural hubs.

Our journey finishes in the elegant heart of the Presqu'île (the 2nd arrondissement), near landmarks like the Théâtre des Célestins and the stunning Hôtel-Dieu, where the past meets the present.

It is a relaxed walk full of stories, history, and a few local secrets you simply will not find in any guidebook! 

Things you will visit:

• Place St. Jean
• Cathedral St. Jean
• View of the Fourvière hill with Basilica
• Archeological Garden
• Many Hidden Passageways
• Jardin de la Basoche with the Miniature Museum
• La Longue Traboule (passageway)
• Rue du Boeuf
• La Tour Rose
• Rue des Trois Maries with the 2 Traboules
• Riverbanks of the Saône
• Palais de Justice
• The Footbridge over the Saône
• Quai Sant'Antoine with its Markets
• Place des Celestins with the Theatre
• The Posh 2nd Arrondissement.
• The Main Shopping Street, Rue de la République
• The Beautiful Hôtel Dieu

Things I talk about:

• Roman Origins
• Lyon as Culinary Capital of France
• The French Resistance
• The History of the Fourviére Church
• Modern Life in Lyon
• Life in the Old Town
• Klaus Barbie, the Butcher of Lyon
• Traditional Lyonnais food in the Bouchon
• The Origins of the Passageways (Traboules)
• Silk and the Silk Industry in Lyon
• Michelin Stars and how they work
• Restaurant and Coffee Recommendations.
• Best Things to do in Lyon