Bellecour and its mansions Guided tours

Guided tours

Bellecour

Tour proposed by Lyon tourisme et Congrès

What is behind those elegant classical facades? You can learn more by following the guide!

This fascinating and unusual tour enables you to see parts of Bellecour.

One can easily walk past without paying attention and yet these places are steeped in history. Discover the secrets of these mansions from old rural properties in the Abbey Ainay.

Illustrious architects, such as Soufflot, continue to give evidence of their talent in these magnificent and luxurious residences. The course helps to evoke the neighborhood's history: how Place Bellecour Place Royale became, or the arrival of the rich society of the time eager to display their social status and flaunt architectural feats in the middle of the peninsula.

This tour reveals the hidden heart of downtown!

Good to know

Please ensure you arrive 10 minutes before the tour commences

Booking is necessary
Cancellation free of charge 72 hours before schedule activity

Duration

2h00

Kind

Guided tour on foot

Access

Metro A or D > Bellecour

Meeting point

In front of the Tourist office, Place Bellecour - Lyon 2nd

Prices

Adults €12.00

From 8 to 18 & students €8.00

Children under 8 Free

With Lyon City Card Free

The equestrian statue

Legend has it that the sculptor committed suicide when he realised he had forgotten the stirrups on the statue of Louis XIV. But he didn't! François-Frédéric Lemot actually represented the Sun King riding in the Roman style, without a saddle or stirrups.

Tour guides

Claude

Lyon adopted me 34 years ago and I love it!

Studying languages and the history of art as well as having a passion for history determined my career as a lecturing guide.

Although I moved to Lyon by chance, I must admit I love this city and feel happy here!

I love Lyon for its past and present that combine and merge in the melting pot of history, and are also apparent in its incredible vitality that many city's envy!

I adore the uniqueness of Lyon… its glorious Roman past which archaeologists never tire of revisiting, as well as Vieux-Lyon, its Renaissance area (second only to Venice) and its secret and mysterious traboules.

My love for Lyon also resides in my love of food, as this world capital of gastronomy boasts a record of one restaurant for 294 people!

I love Lyon for its culture, its biennials and its museums which are the stuff dreams are made of!

So many reasons that explain why I'm so very attached to Lyon and wouldn't leave it for an empire..., as far as I'm concerned, it's ONLY LYON!

Fabienne

How lucky I am to have been able to study the history of art and archaeology in Lyon. It's magic! From the Roman theatres to the Musée des Confluences, past, present and future combine in beauty and harmony, just like the gold, silver and silk threads woven by the canuts.

Let's set out for a spot of "trabouling" with Rabelais' ghost, who will lead us from Hôtel-Dieu to the wealthy homes of the merchant bankers in Vieux-Lyon, stopping at inns, bouchons or star-rated restaurants on the way…

Let your eyes feast on the golden light that's worthy of Italy, and gilds the slopes of Croix-Rousse on summer evenings as you stroll along the embankment amid the seagulls and boats.

I love this city because life is so sweet here, and I love telling visitors all about it, as the enthusiastic urbanist in me sees the city as a living organism.

This guided tour is included
with the Lyon City Card

The essential pass to have on hand! The Lyon City Card is the pass
you need for your next stay in Lyon.

More about

included
unlimited
transport

from
€25