Vieux Lyon
One of Europe's best-preserved Renaissance districts, with stone-paved lanes, colorful buildings, traboules (covered passageways), and Saint-Jean Cathedral, all on the west bank of the Saône.
Vieux Lyon stretches along the west bank of the Saône River and is divided from north to south into three districts: Saint-Paul, Saint-Jean, and Saint-Georges. It preserves about 300 Renaissance mansions built by Italian merchants and bankers in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1964 it became France's first legally protected “secteur sauvegardé.” The main streets, Rue Saint-Jean and Rue du Bœuf, are lined with pink-orange buildings, turret staircases, and inner courtyards. Behind many doorways are traboules. Examples include the “Rose Tower” at 27 Rue Saint-Jean and 54 Rue du Bœuf, where you can walk through during the day (please keep quiet). At the southern end, Saint-Jean Cathedral, Lyon's primary cathedral built between the 12th and 15th centuries, houses a 14th-century astronomical clock, with little figures that perform on the hour. Entry is free. The old town also has the Gadagne palace, which houses the Musée d'histoire de Lyon and the Puppetry Museum. A 1.5 to 2 hour walk through Saint-Paul, Saint-Jean, and Saint-Georges is recommended. Afterward, you can ride the funicular from the Vieux Lyon metro station up to Fourvière Hill. This is also where bouchon bistros are most concentrated, but tourist restaurants vary in quality, so look for the official bouchon certification sign. Getting there: Metro Line D, Vieux Lyon station.
Opening hours
All day (church approx. 08:15–19:45)
Nearby sights
- Musée Miniature et Cinéma
- Lyon Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)
- Musée Gadagne
- Jardin du Rosaire
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
- Fresque des Lyonnais
- Rue Mercière
- Place Bellecour & Presqu'île