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Vieux Lyon

Vieux Lyon

About
Lyon's historic section is full of old buildings and a traditional old French atmosphere.
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Top ways to experience Vieux Lyon
The area
Neighbourhood: Vieux Lyon - Quarantaine
How to get there
  • Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale St.Jean • 4 min walk
  • Cordeliers • 9 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
  • Piels Chloé
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The real heart of Lyon: Old Lyon.
    Since my childhood I love Lyon city, but my favourite place is the old town of Lyon, “le Vieux Lyon”. Lyon old town, known as Vieux Lyon, is situated across the Saone River from the “Presqu'ile” district. To walk with family or friends, it’s the perfect district. In this place, you can find anything et see full of interesting things: the traboules, the cathedral saint jean, the pink town, a view of the cathedral of fourvière… Firstly, the architecture of the district which is particular and unique: with its cobbled streets, typical shops and traditional traffic jams. The mythic character of Guignol, the puppet of Lyon, is born form these streets. Very delicious restaurants exist in this place. They are emblems of Lyon. As a history student, this quarter is perfect, it’s a historic district. Honestly never went there to the Festival of Lights, which is a traditional Lyon festival. Unless you like to be tight and walk on feet. But it’s really beautiful to see in this quarter. Without hesitation I come back for the rest of the year !
    Visited September 2023
    Written 18 October 2023
  • Emma L
    Oxford, United Kingdom14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lyon - a city not to miss!
    Lyon is a very walkable city plus excellent public transport (Metro, Bus and Funiculaire). We were a large group, with teens, and everyone loved their long weekend in Lyon. What really made the trip was how friendly 'Les Lyonaises' are and the chilled out vibe of the city. We particluarly liked Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse regions. Do not miss the fantastic food market Les Halles De Lyon - Paul Bocuse (unless you are a vegetarian, vegan or squeamish)
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 5 January 2024
  • Phileas Fogg
    Paris, France721 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathtaking views!
    The heart of the city isn't to be missed. The traboules and renaissance style old streets are beautiful. It's the dream place to go for a walk, crossing the bridges and visiting the churches and museums. This UNESCO world heritage site is simply stunning.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 6 February 2024
  • Robert L
    Amherst, Massachusetts1,622 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A definite must
    Walking through the old Town is a fascinating place to wander. Old architecture, endless alleys ( you need to push street side doors to get through) and museums, shops, etc. Lively and very historic
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 May 2024
  • StanBrynmawr
    Brynmawr, United Kingdom722 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful part of Lyon
    Vieux Ville is an area of the narrow streets and old buildings, lots of shops and restaurants. Runs along the bank of the Saone river. This is a busy area and popular with tourists, so food prices tend to be a little higher. A must visit area of Lyon.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 June 2024
  • theresalwaysone
    Lyme Regis, United Kingdom499 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    wonderful to wander!
    Lovely architecture especially on the hills - steep slopes and amazing passages through beautiful old buildings. Loved the subtle colours of the streets and buildings in old Lyon- well worth having a tour of the area. Stunning paintings on walls too.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 19 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles6,823 reviews
Excellent
4,484
Very good
2,075
Average
225
Poor
22
Terrible
17

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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the_3_adventurers
Raleigh, NC407 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I don't know that I'd consider this view a 'destination,' but it is beautiful. it reminds this American Southerner of how lovely a city view of rooftops can be ... it's much different than my view of rolling hills and kudzu. But that's precisely why I travel. :)
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christian M
Copenhagen, Denmark6,223 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
To strangers Lyon may seem overwhelming with all the traffic and noise - but visit Vieux Lyon and realize exactly why so many people are in love with the city.

Vieux Lyon is full of charming old houses, the famous bouchons (traditional restaurants), traboules (narrow alleys) and the devine beautiful Basilica on top of it all.

You’ll love every minute out here.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Titch-the-Witch
Romanel, Switzerland323 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
We set out to discover the old city before 9 o'clock and wended our way through the cobblestoned alleys. We were on the lookout for the "Traboules", the old passageways used by the silk merchants. We found several but were a little disappointed in some of them, as they were dirty and there was litter lying around. The Fresque des Lyonnais (a trompe l'oeil mural) is outstanding and is a must-see. By midday the calm streets were packed with jostling tourists looking for a terrace on which to have lunch. There are plenty of cafés, bistros and restaurants scattered all around the city. The Saint Jean-Baptiste cathedral is worth stepping into, even if it is just to admire the 16th century astronomical clock as well as the stained glass.
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TorInd
Toronto200 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Pretty cobblestone streets, most restaurants there are overpriced for what they serve, it’s like they are taking advantage, feels very scammy. A bakery whose name I forget had a big line, thinking it must be good we got a open face sandwich, costs 6.50 euros, it was just a very thick slice of bread with very thin spread of cream cheese, thinner bit of smoked salmon and two slices of tomato, all you could taste was the bread. Good to go and see but eat elsewhere.
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TorOnTour
Auckland, New Zealand41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Vieux Lyon's restoration began in the 80s I believe and now offers an up-close and immersive experience in Lyon. Walk the busy cobbled streets which weave up and around in seemingly no order. Search for hidden 'traboules', eat pralines and just enjoy meandering around Vieux Lyon.
Written 22 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ivo Carneiro De Sousa
Macau, China145 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
It is a fascinating experience to walk throughout the old Lyon historical center. It is not too large, can be done in 2-3 calm hours, but needs observation, attention to detail, and a lot of fun. I have a walkthrough Lyon with my family, including several teens, in December 2019 last year. The Christmas holidays brought us from Macau to Lyon, and the visit is much enjoyable. There are still some roman vestiges of Lugdunum, some medieval architecture as in the old St. Jonh the Baptist cathedral, and the historic center evolves along the calm Rhône, still a majestic river. Most of Lyon's historical center is a mosaic of late 19th century, early 20th century buildings, a lot of them transformed into commercial areas. Thus, a visit to old Lyon must include some shopping and lunch or dinner in one of the countless restaurants available. I have also visit antique bookshops and found some precious books. The prices were affordable from old books to restaurants: a pleasant tour.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vanessa
Lytham St Anne's, UK4,486 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Travelling through Burgundy for a couple of weeks, we stopped here for 3 nights on a boat moored on the Rhone! Amazing experience.
We wandered around the beautiful cobbled streets of Lyon, visited the cathedral at the top, had meals and drinks in the lovely cafes and restaurants around the city.
It's a lovely place.
Definitely worth visiting and a transportation hub if you are getting around by train or bus!
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,920 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
The area is a richly deserved World Heritage Site, split over a lower and upper parts. There is a cathedral, a basilica and a handful of churches. Roads often run off at angles. Many pedestrian walkways allow for loitering. There are bouchons, home cooking Lyonnais style, the city one of the world's gastronomic capitals. The puppet theatre is not to be missed. A raft of souvenir vendors are at hand. Other high end clothing stores are present plus a good handful of candy/pastry shops.
Written 1 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lowryepp
Epping, UK938 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Historic and mostly genuine mediaeval centre. Wander at will, much pedestrianised (or nearly so); go slowly, look up to building tops, into ancient passage ways (traboules) - worth getting a guide sheet or online for thes, not all marked. Even look underfoot, as the coblles and brass markers tell stories. Many cafes, icecreams, restaurants. Get to the higher parks by funicular.
If you stay in the old town, can be noisy at night!
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nordman1
Alencon, France1,206 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
This lively old district which begins at the cathedral is filled with traboules (covered passages which cross the buildings of old Lyon, allowing you to go from one street to another much more quickly). He is full of charm.

The longest traboule goes from 54 rue Saint Jean to 27 rue du Bœuf. It crosses five courtyards and four buildings. A sign will ask you to avoid making noise, to preserve the tranquility of the residents whose interior courtyards you will cross.
The (pink) House of Lawyers, the cobbled streets, the squares and old buildings are very charming.

Rue Saint Jean is the main street. Here, we no longer count the Bouchons (popular restaurants typically from Lyon) as there are so many of them, with dishes like Tablier de sapeur (double tripe gras), Cervelle de canut (white cheese with fine herbs), Tarte aux pralines. . .

Chocolatiers and pastry chefs are also well represented.

Please note, however, that on the other bank of the river, rue des Marronniers (near Place Bellecour) colloquially called rue des restaurants, you will find the same cuisine and above all that for the same price you will have one more dish on the menu.
Google
Written 22 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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VIEUX LYON (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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