Lyon’s traboules and courtyards

A quick introduction to traboules, courtyards and miraboules!

"Traboules", from the Latin "trans ambulare" (pass through), are shortcuts linking streets through one or more buildings.

And "miraboules" ? 
Pleasing to the ear, this word was coined in the 1960s by local historian Félix Benoît to refer to Lyon’s inner courtyards, which lead nowhere but are often of great beauty!
Spiral staircases, turrets, Italian-style galleries, wells, statuettes and sculptures, and small gardens are some of the hidden treasures that lie in wait.

There are about 200 in Vieux-Lyon, 160 on the slopes of Croix-Rousse hill and 130 on the Presqu’île, making a total of 500 traboules in more than 230 of Lyon’s streets. However, only about 80 are open to the public...

The Courtyard and Traboule Agreement

It is thanks to this agreement that visitors have the chance to visit some traboules. Many owners have carried out costly renovation works in the old buildings where they live. Elsewhere, many traboules and courtyards have been closed to preserve cleanliness and tranquility for local residents.

In order to avoid this heritage becoming definitively inaccessible to all, the City of Lyon signed an agreement with owners of buildings where traboules and courtyards are found, to enable their opening to the general public during the day. In this way, this exceptional heritage can be visited and local residents can continue to use these shortcuts to make their way around, as they have always done.

The Courtyard and Traboule Agreement, which was adopted in July 1990, stipulates that the City and the Urban Community contribute to the costs of maintaining, cleaning and lighting these areas, in exchange for a public right of way through the traboules and private courtyards for pedestrians, 365 days a year, between 7 am and 7 pm.
Owners also accept that the City of Lyon places information plaques at the entrances to courtyards and traboules, and a sign asking visitors to preserve their tranquility and cleanliness.

Visit them with a guide

Choose a guided tour to learn all about the history of these little wonders of heritage, including anecdotes, architectural styles and techniques.

Several tours offer a chance to explore Lyon’s traboules and see the main secret passages, which are closely linked to the city’s history.

• To visit the traboules of Vieux-Lyon with a guide, click here...
• To visit the traboules of the Croix-Rousse with a guide, click here...

If you prefer to explore by yourself, try the Traboules app, available on iTunes.

Please bear in mind that these are private residences, which local residents have left open in order to allow visitors to freely admire this heritage. So please be respectful by not talking loudly, shouting, running or littering. Otherwise, these passageways may have to be closed to future visitors. Read the Charter of Good Practises so that local residents and visitors can coexist in the best possible conditions.