The Old Lyon district

The Vieux Lyon: a Renaissance-era heart

Built between the Fourvière hill and the River Saône, the Vieux Lyon (old Lyon) district still possesses all the charm of its narrow Renaissance-era streets. Its 24 hectares of courtyards, staircase towers, Italian-style galleries, and famous traditional traboule passageways plunge you into the heart of one of Europe’s largest Renaissance-era sites. 

Travel back to when Lyon was a market town where traders from all over Europe came to do business.

Stop off in a traditional bouchon restaurant to enjoy Lyon’s local specialities, stroll down its traboules, and admire Cathédrale Saint Jean: these are just a few of the must-do activities to make the most of your stay in Lyon!

Exploring the district

Saint-Georges, Saint-Jean end Saint-Paul are the three districts that make up the Old Lyon area. Travel back in time through more than 1,000 years of history, looking up to admire the frontages of the houses, then back down because the district is practically all paved… so it’s no place for high heels! Old Lyon is secretive and mysterious: you need to get behind the scenes in its traboules (hidden passages cut straight through buildings to link two streets) and inner courtyards to discover the riches of their past owners. 

Top spots to stop off include:

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Brice Robert Photographe

• The striking gargoyles of Saint-Georges' Church.
• A little further up, Soierie Saint-Georges, the last silk-making workshop still in business,
• The Cathedral Saint-Jean and its incredible astronomical clock are no-brainers, as is the archaeological garden on the north side of the cathedral,
• The Courthouse and its famous 24 columns. Did you know that were already law courts here back in the 10^th century? 
• The Musée Cinéma et Miniature, which is one-of-a-kind in Europe, features a wide range of sets used on film shoots or donated by major European and American film studios. Finally, open your eyes wide to take in the 1000 masterpieces of patience created by Dan Ohlmann,
• MAM (Musée des Arts de la Marionnettes, i.e., puppeteering museum) and MHL (Musée d'Histoire de Lyon, i.e., Lyon history museum) at Hôtel Gadagne teach you about the history of puppeteering and the history of the city respectively.

To make sure you don’t miss a thing, let us show you the way! There’s nothing quite like a guided tour to discover hidden gems, learn some surprising anecdotes and soak up the atmosphere of this iconic neighbourhood. Whether with the Tourist Office’s qualified guides, or on a food tour with Tastes of Lyon or Lyon Food Tour, there are a thousand and one ways to explore Vieux Lyon! 

There are plenty of restaurants in the old town, so it’s not always easy to choose! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered – we’ve put together a list of top picks to make your choice easier, ranging from fine-dining establishments to certified Lyonnais ‘bouchons’ where you can savour local specialities. 

Looking for a little souvenir from Lyon for a loved one, why not take a shopping break in Vieux Lyon? Silk accessories, jewellery, illustrations, savoury and sweet specialities… Here are a few places where you can find the perfect gift for you or your loved ones !

Treat yourself to a magical break in this Renaissance quarter, typical of Lyon. It’s the perfect place to spend one or more nights! Here are the hotels and accommodation options available in Vieux Lyon: