Visit Vieux Lyon: What to Do and See
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Vieux Lyon is one of the most emblematic districts of the capital of the Gauls. Nestled at the foot of Fourvière hill, it charms visitors with its medieval and Renaissance atmosphere, its mysterious traboules, its cobbled alleys, and its traditional restaurants called bouchons lyonnais.
So then, what to do and see in Vieux Lyon? Here’s a complete guide to visiting Vieux Lyon, this must-see neighborhood.
Explore Vieux Lyon differently with our treasure hunt “the secrets of Vieux Lyon”, a mix between a guided tour and an escape game.
1. Stroll through the Renaissance lanes
Vieux Lyon is made up of three main districts: Saint-Georges, Saint-Jean, and Saint-Paul.
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Wander its cobbled lanes, lined with colorful houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.
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Look out for the inner courtyards and sculpted façades that bear witness to the city’s rich merchant past.
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Make a detour via Rue Saint-Jean, the main artery where shops, restaurants, and artisans are concentrated.
👉 Tip: to discover hidden corners, the best option is to join an unusual treasure hunt that reveals the district’s secrets.
2. Explore Vieux Lyon’s famous traboules
The traboules are secret passageways that link inner courtyards to parallel streets. They once allowed silk workers to carry their fabrics sheltered from the rain.
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Some traboules are open to the public, particularly on Rue du Bœuf and Rue Saint-Jean.
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Each one reveals spiral staircases, covered galleries, and light wells.
👉 Visiting tip: some traboules are hard to find. Use our app or join a guided traboules tour so you don’t miss a thing.
3. Admire Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral
In the heart of Vieux Lyon, Saint-Jean Cathedral is a Gothic and Romanesque masterpiece.
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The must-see: its 14th-century astronomical clock, one of the oldest in Europe.
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From the forecourt, the view of Fourvière hill is splendid.
👉 Photo tip: come back in the evening, when the façade is illuminated, to capture one of the neighborhood’s most beautiful atmospheres.
4. Visit the Miniature and Cinema Museum
Located in the Maison des Avocats, this unusual museum is one of Vieux Lyon’s most popular.
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Discover miniaturized sets that are more lifelike than life.
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Admire an exceptional collection of props and costumes from cult films: Harry Potter, Alien, The Fifth Element.
👉 Practical tip: allow at least 1h30. Book your tickets online as the museum is very busy.
5. Enjoy a meal in a bouchon lyonnais
It’s impossible to visit Vieux Lyon without sitting down in a bouchon! These traditional restaurants offer generous, convivial cuisine.
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Specialties to try: pike quenelle, tablier de sapeur, brioche sausage, Lyonnaise salad, and cervelle de canut.
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Among renowned addresses: Le Bouchon des Filles, Café des Fédérations, and Le Bouchon Tupin.
👉 Gourmet tip: remember to book for evenings and weekends—bouchons fill up fast.
6. Discover hidden churches and monuments
Beyond Saint-Jean Cathedral, Vieux Lyon is full of other treasures:
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Église Saint-Georges, more discreet but full of charm.
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Église Saint-Paul, an ideal starting point for exploring the district of the same name.
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The loggias and private mansions of wealthy Italian and Flemish merchants, such as the Loge du Change.
7. Head up to Fourvière from Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon is also the ideal starting point to reach Fourvière hill.
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Take the funicular from Saint-Jean station to go up to the Basilica.
You’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and can visit the Roman theaters.
8. Discover Rue Juiverie
Rue Juiverie, located in the Saint-Paul district, is one of the most famous and picturesque streets in Vieux Lyon. Its name recalls the presence of a large Jewish community in the Middle Ages, who lived here until their expulsion in 1394.
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A preserved Renaissance setting: as you walk along, you’ll discover magnificent private mansions dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, with arcaded galleries and inner courtyards.
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Period shop signs: several houses still display remarkable sculptures and architectural details, such as the Hôtel de la Cour des Loges.
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A lively street: today, Rue Juiverie bustles with artisan workshops, antique dealers, and unique boutiques alongside cafés and restaurants.
👉 Visiting tip: take time to stroll this street, especially in late afternoon when the light enhances the Renaissance façades. It’s also a perfect spot for photography lovers.
9. Gadagne Museum – Lyon History Museum and Puppet Arts Museum
Housed in a magnificent Renaissance mansion, the Gadagne Museum is actually two museums in one:
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Lyon History Museum (MHL): it retraces the city’s evolution from Roman times to the present day.
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Puppet Arts Museum (MAM): it showcases an art form inseparable from Lyon, featuring the famous character Guignol, born here in the 19th century.
👉 Practical tip: end your visit on the museum’s rooftop terrace, which offers a superb view over the rooftops of Vieux Lyon.
10. Maison du Chamarrier
Nestled near Saint-Jean Cathedral, the Maison du Chamarrier is one of Lyon’s oldest houses (dating from the 12th century).
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Its Romanesque architecture and round arches make it a rare medieval gem.
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Now privately owned, it can be admired from the outside during a stroll through the area.
👉 Tip: combine your visit to the Cathedral with a stop by the Maison du Chamarrier for full immersion in medieval Lyon.
11. Théâtre de la Maison Guignol
You can’t talk about Vieux Lyon without mentioning Guignol, an emblematic figure of the city!
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The Théâtre de la Maison Guignol stages traditional puppet shows for both children and adults.
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A true institution, it carries on the spirit of Laurent Mourguet, Guignol’s creator in the 19th century.
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A unique moment to discover the sharp, socially engaged humor of this character, who is part of Lyon’s heritage.
👉 Tip: check the performance times in advance; weekend shows are very popular.
12. Discover Place du Change
Place du Change, located in the Saint-Paul district, is one of Vieux Lyon’s most emblematic squares. It takes its name from the role it played in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance: this is where the city’s money changers and bankers gathered.
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Loge du Change: a monumental 17th-century building constructed to house the merchants’ exchange. Later transformed into a Protestant temple, it stands today as a testament to Lyon’s commercial wealth at the time.
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A square steeped in history: Place du Change has always been a hub of economic and social exchanges, at the heart of the Italian and Flemish merchants’ quarter.
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A lively spot: today the square remains vibrant with terraces, cafés, and side streets leading toward Rue Juiverie and Saint-Paul Station.
👉 Visiting tip: pause for a few minutes on the square to admire the classical façade of the Loge du Change and imagine the commercial bustle that animated this place during the Renaissance.
13. Bonus for visiting Vieux Lyon: stroll along the Saône quays
After your visit, treat yourself to a walk along the Saône quays.
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Magnificent views of Vieux Lyon’s colorful façades.
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A romantic atmosphere at sunset.
Practical tips for visiting Vieux Lyon
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Ideal duration: plan at least a half-day, a full day if you add museums and gourmet breaks.
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Access: Metro line D, Vieux Lyon – Cathédrale Saint-Jean station.
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Best time: morning or evening, when the lanes are less crowded.
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Footwear: wear good sneakers—cobbles can be slippery in rainy weather.
Conclusion for visiting Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon is much more than just a neighborhood: it’s a plunge into history, a sensory stroll, and a unique gastronomic experience.
Between secret traboules, historic monuments, unusual museums, and bouchons lyonnais, it encapsulates the very soul of Lyon.
👉 If you could visit only one district during your stay in Lyon, it would undoubtedly be Vieux Lyon.
Don’t miss anything in Vieux Lyon! Uncover its secrets with our immersive treasure hunt, halfway between a playful guided tour and a life-size escape game.
