Lyon, France’s third city, is filled with historical architecture and cobbled pedestrian streets dating back the middle ages. Much of the old city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage area. Walking is the perfect way to explore Lyon’s historical attractions.
With this self-guided walking itinerary you can explore the best of Lyon in a day and help get your bearings and discover sites you may want to explore in greater depth. All of the sites included in this itinerary can be enjoyed for free.
However, visits to museums and shows or guided tours will have costs.
From Place Bellecour
The starting point for this walking itinerary and the heart of Lyon is Place Bellecour. This is one of Europe’s largest public squares. Here you will find the Lyon tourism office. Ask for a free city map or download one online. You’ll need it to navigate the walking tour.
When you’re ready to head off, depart Place Bellecour and walk along rue Président Edouard Herriot, one of Lyon’s main shopping street filled with designer boutiques. Window shopping is free. But if you want to shop you’ll find La Coste, Dior, Louis Vuitton or Mont Blanc to name a few.
Next cross into Place des Jacobins and check out the fountain. A public square has been here since 1556 and forms part of Lyon’s World Heritage district. The fountain has been adapted numerous times. The current fountain dates to the late 1800s.
Cut diagonally across the square and exit on rue de l’Ancienne Préfecture. Cross the Saône River on the red footbridge, the Passerelle du Palais du Justice, and enter the old part of Lyon, known as Vieux Lyon.
Explore Vieux Lyon
Be sure to allow plenty of time for exploring the charming cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon around Rue St Jean and Rue du Boeuf.
Vieux Lyon is home to many of Lyon’s famous Traboules, passageways through the city that were used by Lyon’s silk manufacturers and merchants to carry their products through the city. They are also said to have been used by the French resistance during World War II when Lyon did not fully succumb to Nazi occupation. Most Traboules are closed to the public. It is possible to join a paid guided walking tour of the Traboules with information and booking available from the tourism office in Place Bellecour.
In Vieux Lyon you will also meet Petit Guignol, a key character in Lyon’s cultural history. Guignol is a marionette depicting the tale of France’s silk workers. Guignol is the star in traditional French puppet shows.
The Théâtre Le Guignol de Lyon at 2 rue Louis Carrand holds a vast collection of puppets and conducts regular puppet shows. Fees do apply here.
Continue on to Fourvière via the Cathédrale de St-Jean
Take Rue St Jean to the Cathédrale de St-Jean, Lyon’s main cathedral and the church of the Archbishop of Lyon. The cathedral was constructed over several centuries from 1165 to 1480. While exploring the gothic cathedral, look out for the stained glass windows and the 14th-century astronomical clock.
In the Jardins Archéologique (Archaeological garden) adjacent to the cathedral, remains of the original church that stood here in the 1100s can be seen.
Leaving Vieux Lyon, use Montée de Chazeau or Garrilan to reach Montée du Saint-Barthélemy. From there enter the pretty Jardins du Rosarie and zig zag up the hill to reach the magnificent Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière.Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Roman Theatres
The stunning white cathedral, built in the 1870s and 80s is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is said to have saved Lyon from epidemics of disease and helped ward off Prussian invasion. The cathedral is visited by some 1.5 million people per year.
If you’re in town on a Saturday afternoon, there are guided tours available of the basilica including the roof top. Tours operate on a first come basis and are in French only. A ticket price applies.
The forecourt of the Cathedral also offers a brilliant lookout over the city and is the place to photograph Lyon’s cityscape.
After exploring the Basilica you can then return to the city via the ancient roman theatres. If you’ve had enough you can take a metro or the funicular back to central Lyon. Otherwise, follow the Montée Cardinal Decourtray onto rue Clébert to reach the Théâtres Gallo Romain (Roman Theatres) are a reminder of Lyon’s ancient past.
The largest of the two theatres is the oldest in France, dating back to 15 BC. The ancient theatres still hold public events every summer. Visitors have free access to the Roman theatres. There is a museum on site if you wish to discover more about the ancient history of Lyon.
From the Roman theatres return to Place Bellecour by descending on rue de l’Antiquaille and Montée du Gourguillon on to Rue Adolphe Max, re-cross the river on Pont Boneparte rue to Col. Chambonnet.
Allow a full day to take this itinerary. It can easily be split over two days to allow time to visit the museums along the way and make some detours. Use the Lyon metro to find a suitable jump off point and come back to it on the second day to continue the tour.