Lyon City Tour with Local Guide Explore Hidden Gems

Points forts

Inclus

Itinéraire

1. During your final stop, learn all about Lyon's largest pedestrian square. Brief explanation of King Louis XIV's links to Lyon and the troubled history of his statue. Your local guide will again provide some restaurant and shopping recommendations before taking a final group photo (sent to everyone after the tour).

   10 minEntrée incluse

2. Following introductions, bilingual guide Ryan will explain the rich history of this medieval square and its imposing 12th century cathedral. A mix of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, head inside the cathedral with explanations of how architects designed such an imposing structure almost 1000 years ago. Brief stop to see France’s oldest and best-preserved medieval clock; tracking time, Catholic holidays, and the stars.

   15 minEntrée incluse

3. Explore one of Europe's largest Renassaince districts (second only to Venise). Your local guide will explain "Old Lyon's" rich history, stunning architecture, and silk trade. We will also provide some out-of-the-way restaurant recommendations.

   10 minEntrée incluse

4. Ryan will take you through Lyon's most famous "traboules." There are 200 such medieval passageways in Lyon. Used during the Renaissance to safely travel between buildings and avoid the crowded streets, they were later used by silk traders and (finally) the French resistance.

   15 minEntrée incluse

5. WWII history: learn about how the French resistance used Lyon's "traboule" tunnels to meet and exchange secret messages. Your local guide will also detail the sordid trail of Klaus Barbie, also known as gestapo's "butcher of Lyon." Brief explanation of how Barbie arrested French resistance hero, Jean Moulin.

   10 minEntrée incluse

6. Explore Lyon's chic 2nd district and the Rue Mercière's many "bouchon" restaurants. Your local guide will explain Lyon's rich culinary history, including a biography of renowned chef Paul Bocuse. Enjoy many "locals-only" restaurant recommendations along the way.

   10 min

7. See beautiful Saint Nizier church, a mix of Gothic and neo-classical styles. This church is also the starting point for pilgrims walking the St James Way (Santiago de Compostello) from Lyon to Galicia (Spain).

   5 minEntrée incluse

8. Learn how this breathtaking fountain, originally destined for Bordeaux, ended up in Lyon's place des Terreaux.

   5 minEntrée incluse

9. City Hall. Learn all about this Baroque masterpiece and how it was a gift of Louis XIV to the city of Lyon. Explanation of the symbolism of the various statues and figures on its ornate facade.

   10 minEntrée incluse

Annulation

Annulation gratuite jusqu’à 24 heures avant le début de l’expérience, avec remboursement intégral.

Avis

Les notes proviennent de 9 avis recueillis par notre partenaire de réservation. Ce sont les mots des voyageurs, dans l’ordre où ils ont été écrits — jamais réorganisés pour flatter l’expérience.

À savoir avant de partir

How it compares in Lyon

• Its from-price is 77% below the median of the 399 experiences we list in Lyon.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 111 of 399.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Lyon

Lyon, where the Rhône and Saône meet, is a Roman and Renaissance city of covered passageways, long called the capital of French cooking.

Lyon spreads across two rivers and two hills. On Fourvière hill, the white basilica looks down over the Roman theatres of Lugdunum, once the capital of Gaul, while the Renaissance old town below has narrow streets and covered passageways, the traboules, that silk workers used to carry cloth. The old town and the slopes of Croix-Rousse, the silk weavers' hill, are part of the UNESCO-listed historic site.

Top-ranked sights in Lyon: Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon), Traboules of Lyon, Lyon Cathedral (Cathédrale St-Jean).

See all 399 experiences in Lyon