- Duration
- About 2 hours
- Group size
- 8–60 pax
- Destinations
- Lyon
- Indicative budget
- From €110 per person
Vieux-Lyon, on the western bank of the Saône, is one of the largest Renaissance quarters in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its most distinctive feature is the traboules, covered passages that run through buildings and courtyards, used for centuries by silk workers and merchants to move goods between the river and the hillside. Walking them with a guide reveals the layers of the city, from its Roman origins to its silk history.
The walk follows a route through the traboules and courtyards, with stops at the Renaissance facades, the basilica of Fourvière visible from the old town, and the crafts and silk heritage of the district. We can adapt the route to a specific theme, such as gastronomy, architecture or the history of the silk trade.
The walk ends at a traditional bouchon, the Lyonnais bistro, for a classic lunch. Lyon's cuisine is a major reason for a corporate trip to the city.
Objectives
- Discover one of Europe's most complete Renaissance quarters
- Understand Lyon's silk heritage through its traboules
- Combine heritage walking with the city's famous cuisine
How it works
- 1The group meets the guide at a central point in the Presqu'île or at the old town's entrance.
- 2The walk crosses the old town on foot, with several traboules and courtyards along the route.
- 3Stops explain the architecture, the silk workers' history and the building's traditions.
- 4A lunch at a traditional bouchon closes the walk, with a menu chosen for the group.
- 5Optionally, a funicular ride up to Fourvière or a river cruise is added.
Good to know
- The traboules are part of private buildings; access depends on residents and can be restricted at times.
- The old town is hilly with uneven paving, so comfortable shoes are essential.
- Lyon is well connected by TGV, about two hours from Paris Gare de Lyon, and the walk starts close to the main station area.
- Groups above about 25 are usually split into two guided sub-groups.
Indicative budget
Indicative: from about €110 per person for a two-hour guided walk of a group of 15 to 30, excluding lunch. Lunch in a bouchon from about €45 per person additional, on request.
Frequently asked questions
What are the traboules?
Traboules are covered passageways that cross buildings from one street to another, or from a street to a courtyard. Lyon's silk workers used them to carry fabric and goods discreetly, and many remain in use today.
Can we add a Lyon food tour?
Yes. We can add a tasting of Lyonnais specialities, including charcuterie, quenelles and Beaujolais, and combine the walk with a food-focused programme.
Is the walk accessible to guests with limited mobility?
The old town involves steep slopes and stairs in parts, so the route is not fully accessible. We can propose a shorter itinerary on flatter streets, and a taxi-based alternative for specific needs.
