Old Lyon, Lyon

Old Lyon, Lyon

The Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon) is the largest Renaissance district located in the 5th borough of the city of Lyon. It covers a vast area of 424 hectares, nestled at the base of the Fourvière hill, making it one of the most extensive Renaissance neighborhoods in Europe. This historic district can be divided into three distinct sections: Saint Jean, Saint Paul, and Saint Georges.

The Saint Jean quarter held significant political and religious importance during the Middle Ages. Notably, the Cathedral of Saint Jean, a title still held by the archbishop of Lyon, serves as a prime example of Gothic architecture.

Moving on to the Saint-Paul section, during the 15th and 16th centuries, it became the preferred residence for affluent Italian banker-merchants. They built lavish urban residences known as "hôtels particuliers" here. Two remarkable examples are the Hôtel Bullioud and the Hôtel de Gadagne. The latter now houses the Lyon Historical Museum and the International Puppet Museum. The Saint Paul church, with its Romanesque lantern tower and impressive spire, marks the northern boundary of this section.

Lastly, the Saint Georges section became a hub for silk weavers in the 16th century, although they eventually moved to the Croix Rousse hill in the 19th century. In 1844, architect Pierre Bossan reconstructed Saint George's Church along the banks of the Saône River, adopting a neo-Gothic architectural style.

During the Middle Ages, when only a few parallel streets connected the hill and the Saône River, the first "traboules" were constructed. The term "traboules" is derived from the Latin "trans-ambulare," meaning "to pass through." These traboules are essentially corridors that cut through buildings and their courtyards, providing a direct connection between one street and another. When exploring these hidden passages, visitors can marvel at the architectural wonders of galleries and spiral staircases, which are as unexpected as they are unique.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Lyon. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Old Lyon on Map

Sight Name: Old Lyon
Sight Location: Lyon, France (See walking tours in Lyon)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Lyon, France

Create Your Own Walk in Lyon

Create Your Own Walk in Lyon

Creating your own self-guided walk in Lyon is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Lyon's Architectural Landmarks

Lyon's Architectural Landmarks

Founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC, the charming French city of Lyon has played a major role in the political, cultural, and economic development of Europe for many years. The city's two millennia-long history is clearly imprinted in its urban fabric, manifested in numerous buildings of various epochs and styles.

Among the plethora of local architectural landmarks, the Ancient...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Food Tour in Lyon

Food Tour in Lyon

In addition to its architectural beauty, Lyon – often referred to as the gastronomic capital of France – boasts a vibrant culinary scene that will delight passionate foodies. An ideal place to discover French cuisine and fall in love with it, there is no shortage of addresses in Lyon to stock up on quality and delicious products.

At the heart of Lyon's culinary culture is the Paul...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Lyon Introduction Walking Tour

Lyon Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Lyon – capital of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region – has been around for 2,000 years, sitting at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Established in 43 BC as a settlement for Roman refugees of war, it was also the capital of the Gauls at the time of the Roman Empire; two Emperors – Claudius and Caracalla – were born here. Due to its foundation on the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Gastronomic Delights: 10 Places to Buy Great Food in Lyon, France

Gastronomic Delights: 10 Places to Buy Great Food in Lyon, France

The city of Lyon is famous for its contribution to the culinary arts. Here food lovers will find hundreds of specialty shops throughout the city offering some of the world's finest and award-winning products fit to delight any epicurean palate. Let your taste buds lead you on this voyage into...