Lyon is a big city and is full of various and spectacular neighborhoods. Among the ten most popular districts in Lyon, we can find the famous old Lyon.
For an efficient and complete visit, find out how to visit the old Lyon in one day with our detailed guide.
In the morning in the old Lyon

You can start your visit to the old Lyon, one of the most picturesque districts of the city of Lyon, from 8:30 in the morning while you enjoy a delicious breakfast at 203 Café accessible in 1 minute at the exit of the subway of the old Lyon-Saint-Jean cathedral «.
After giving strength throughout the morning, you can get on the Quai Fulchiriron and the Quai Romain Rolland on foot while you enjoy the Saône. After 5 minutes of walking, you arrive on the back of the Saint-Jean-Baptist cathedral.
Visit of the Cathedral
You can admire this magnificent cathedral that mixes the Gothic style and the Romanesque style. Even called Primatial Saint-Jean, the cathedral is one of the emblematic monuments of the old Lyon. From the outside, you can amaze in front of its impressive architecture, its colorful colored glass and its astronomical clock.
After admiring the outside, do not hesitate to enter to understand why so many people come to visit the old Lyon and this magnificent cathedral. You can also admire the refined interior architecture with its huge columns, paintings and sculptures.
Once your visit to the Saint-Jean cathedral is finished, you can take the road with the same name and walk at number 68 to start a visit to the city through the famous Lyon Traboules.
The traboules of the old Lyon
The traboules, secret passages that make the decision to visit the old Lyon so unique and memorable, are unique and typical secret passages that date back to the medieval era.
The old district of Lyon hosts many interesting traces to explore. These restricted passages between the buildings will allow you to discover the hidden charm of the old Lyon. Take a walk in its cobbled streets and discover these secret steps that will lead you to internal lessons, art galleries, crafts shops, spiral stairs and old facades.
We made you a path that passes through the most interesting traboules to visit in the Old Lyon and to place Saint-Jean.
1st step: the Saint-Jean district
You can start by taking the trabule at 68 rue Saint-Jean who will show you on Rue des Antonins. Once out, continue to the lawyer house where you can enjoy the courtyard and the bombarde Gardens. In this house there is the museum of cinema and miniature. You will also find your second trabule at 10-14 rue de la Bombarde to go out in Saint-Jean Street.
Go to «La Long Traboule» at 54 rue Saint-Jean which is connected to 27 rue du beef. This traboule is the longest and crosses four lessons and four buildings. Then go up the rue du beef passing in front of the neuve Saint-Jean square. Do not hesitate to stop discovering Maison du Scable and its pink tower at 16 rue du beef.
It continues to climb the rue du beef to the trabule at 24 rue Saint-Jean which will make you leave the other side of the road with the same name. This traboule is connected to the trabule «lives the color» in 6 rue des trois maries that will make you come out on the other side of the same road.
2nd Stage: The Romano Romain-Roland Quay
To continue your visit to the old Lyon, go to take the trabule at 20 Quai Romain-Rolland to leave the other side of the dock, then take the one on 18 quai Romain-we’s who comes out on Rue des Trois Maries.
He continues with the trabule at 17 Quai Romain-Rorand to go out, again, on the other side of the dock and go up to 11 ° -12 quai Romain-rolland who comes out on Rue Saint-Jean.
Take the trabule at 10 quai romain-roland connected to the trabule in 2 place du government. The 1st century building housed the de Saint-Christophe hostellerie, which housed travelers. The building has preserved some elements of Gothic decoration. The trabule leads to the upper courtyard, then located above the stable, then joined the Rolland Quai Romain.
3rd step: place Saint-Paul
To finish the traboules of the Saône, take the trabule at 7 Quai Romain-Roland who will make you go back on the spot du Change.
Then go up the rue de la Jewrie to the Philibert de l’Orme gallery that connects to Bullioud’s house and leaves 8 rue Jewrie.
Take the last trabule at the 3 Place Saint-Paul who exits on Rue François Vernay and, finally, go up the road to end up on the spot Saint-Paul.
The lunch break in a small Lyon hat
After this well -made visit, you have to fill your stomach. For this, you can discover a real Lyon hat towards Saint Paul Square where the Traboules have brought you. The Les End Gules Hat will delight your taste buds thanks to its traditional Lyon cuisine.
If, however, you want to return to Square di Saint-Jean, you can return to it through the road with the same name. You can enjoy the numerous shops of all kinds and the Lyonnais caps that wander it.
In this path, we can recommend most of the traffic jams, but to help you, here are some:
The Capdieliers hat
Immersed in the heart of the historic district of Lyon, the CADDELIERS ZIP is an essential stop for the gastronomes that want to discover the authenticity of the Lyon cuisine. Ranked among the best tables in the city, this emblematic restaurant offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, ideal for those who wish to visit Lyon.
With its typically Lyon furniture and its welcoming service, every dish served is a celebration of traditional flavors, making each visit a memorable experience. Whether for a quick lunch or a prolonged dinner, the Cordeliers hood is the promise of an authentic culinary journey in the heart of the capital of gastronomy.
The corkscrew
The corkscrew, located in the picturesque old Lyon, is more than a restaurant, it is a real culinary institution that attracts lovers of good loved one from all over the world. In this intimate and welcoming environment, guests are invited to discover a rich Lyonnais specialty card, prepared with know-how and passion.
The corkscrew distinguishes not only for the quality of its cuisine, but also for its hot atmosphere and attentive service. Perfect for a gastronomic stop when visiting Lyon in one day, this cap offers a memorable experience, in which tradition and conviviality meet for the joy of gourmet.
The Bât-de-argento enriched cap
The BT-D’argent cap is an emblematic address in Lyon, known for its traditional Lyonnaise cuisine and its hot atmosphere. Located in the dynamics of the center, this typical cap offers a taste escape for those who wish to visit Lyon. With his authentic setting and his friendly welcome, Bât-D’Argent Berretto is the ideal place to absorb Lyon’s soul as he tastes regional dishes, prepared with care and passion. A stop in Bouchon B-D’argent is synonymous with a rich culinary experience, a true invitation to discover Lyon’s gastronomic legacy.
The tupine hat
The Tupin hat, located in the heart of the Dynamic Cordeliers District of Lyon, is a popular address for its hot atmosphere and its generous cuisine. This plant offers a real immersion in the culinary tradition of Lyon, with dishes skillfully prepared to delight the most demanding buildings.
Renowned for its careful service and its authentic setting, the Tupine hood is the ideal place for those who wish to visit Lyon in one day and discover the essence of the gastronomy of the region. A stop in this hat is synonymous with unforgettable tastes of taste, where tradition goes perfectly with quality and authenticity.
Do not hesitate to book and look at traditional dishes that do not always please young and old.
Afternoon in a lap
After enjoying the meal, why not digest by enjoying a walk on the streets of the old Lyon in the Saint-Georges district? This district of Old Lyon is more south of the Saint-Jean cathedral and is full of cobbled alleys, craftsmen, colored houses, Gothic churches and picturesque squares.
You can then climb Fulchiriron as you take advantage of the Saône to reach the funicular and discover the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. In addition to admiring and visiting this neo -Gothic work, you can take advantage of the panorama offered by the hill that dominates the city of Lyon.
To continue in an old more cultural visit to Lyon, you can look at the museums that the old Lyon offers. You can find the cinema museum and the miniature previously cited, but also the small Museum of Guignolo, the Museum of History of Lyon and the Gadagne Museum.
Dinner
To continue this day dedicated to the old Lyon, we can only advise you to cross the Saint-Georges bridge in Lyon, Rue Sala and finally the Pont de l’Unittoé de Lyon to get to the boat of the Hermès restaurant.
You can enjoy a delicious meal while you make a nice cruise on the Rhone and discover enlightened monuments that you have not had time to see during your day.
Evening
To finish the day with style and if you still have energy, the shows of puppets from Guignolo are a must when you decide to visit the old Lyon. At the Maison du Guignol, you can participate in a puppet show of the famous character of Guignolo, an emblematic figure of Lyonnais’ folklore. These short, fun and interactive shows will allow you to immerse yourself in the culture of Lyon.
You can end up on a night journey on the enlightened and lively roads of the old Lyon to reach the subway station.
And to rest at the end of this exciting day, you can enjoy the Barolles campsite, its proximity to Lyon and its calm. Accessible in less than 20 minutes by car and in less than 40 minutes for transport, camping is the ideal place to rest before visiting a new Lyon district. And if you want to discover other more peaceful activities in the Barolles campsite, there are a large number of outdoor markets, public swimming pools and forest walks.
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