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Lyon
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Vieux Lyon
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Vieux Lyon

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Vieux Lyon
4.5
About
Lyon's historic section is full of old buildings and a traditional old French atmosphere.
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The area
Neighborhood: Vieux Lyon - Quarantaine
How to get there
  • Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale St.Jean • 4 min walk
  • Cordeliers • 9 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,900 within 3 miles
Les Encavés
126
0.2 mi$$$$ • French
Le boeuf d'argent
983
283 ft$$$$ • French • Vegetarian Friendly
Court Bouillon
285
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Contemporary • Diner
Burgundy By Matthieu
905
0.2 mi$$$$ • French • European • Gluten Free Options
Bmd
278
376 ft$$ - $$$ • French • Wine Bar
Restaurant la Sommeliere
121
0.2 mi$$$$ • French
Au 14 Fevrier Vieux Lyon
567
270 ft$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe Luna
328
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Mediterranean • European
AntoLio
112
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • French • Healthy
A La Marquise
232
339 ft$$ - $$$ • Dessert • French • European
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Attractions
390 within 6 miles
Maison Du Crible / Pink Tower Of Lyon
4
122 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
La Longue Traboule
19
157 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Musee du Cinema et de la Miniature
5,156
273 ftSpeciality Museums
Traboules - Hotel Cour des Loges
257
359 ftMysterious Sites
Musée d'Histoire de Lyon
259
508 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums
Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon
1,781
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Rue Saint-Jean
36
267 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere
11,624
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Fontaine Saint Jean
9
509 ftFountains
Cour D'appel De Lyon - Les 24 Colonnes
3
235 ftArchitectural Buildings
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See what other travelers are saying
  • Christian M
    Copenhagen, Denmark3,763 contributions
    In love with the picturesque Lyon
    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 January 9, 2023
  • Terry M
    Hamilton, Canada4,307 contributions
    A SPOT TO STROLL AND STROLL SOME MORE
    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 November 1, 2022
  • TorOnTour
    Auckland, New Zealand33 contributions
    Gorgeous old town
    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 June 22, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
6,755 reviews
Excellent
4,441
Very good
2,058
Average
222
Poor
22
Terrible
12
CPaM68
Texas632 contributions
Thought to be unlivable in the 19th century
Jul 2019
Lyon old town, known as Vieux Lyon, is situated across the Saone River from the Presqu'ile district in the heart of beautiful Lyon. The 16th century was a time of thriving business since Lyon was a crossroads of trade between Italy, Spain, and France. Four and five-story houses were built with interior courtyards, staircases, and galleries as the area grew to accommodate the thriving business population. Many of those homes show the influence of the Italians who were key trading partners at the time. Vieux Lyon is one of the largest Renaissance neighborhoods in Europe and offers over 2,000 years of history including Romain ruins. Surprisingly, during the 19th century, the old town was thought to be "unlivable" and a plan was proposed to build a major road through the middle of it. Fortunately, this plan was dropped and major restorations and renovations were started in the area.
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lowryepp
Epping, UK811 contributions
World class old town centre
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 July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tox-downunder
Batemans Bay, Australia74 contributions
Nice views at Vieux Lyon
Oct 2022 • Couples
We picked a beautiful sunny day. I loved the cable tram to the top ( very easy with the standard public transport ticket) the basilica notre dames was impressive, beautiful mosaics. The view over the city were great too. The roman amphitheatre was nice to see too.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia42,211 contributions
Wonderful Lyon
Aug 2019
This is perhaps the most interesting part of Lyon. It is a lovely area of the city to wander around, sit at a cafe and just enjoy a relaxing time. There are beautiful old buildings, narrow streets, the peaceful river, cafes and restaurants and shops to spend time in.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wandering_Aengus
Belfast, UK482 contributions
The Heart of Old Lyon
Dec 2019
Packed with restaurants, shops, museums and churches, the compact area of Vieux Lyon can easily absorb a day or two of a trip to the city.

Many of the buildings date back to the 15th century or earlier, and the warren of cobbled streets beg to be explored. Rue St Jean, running from the St Jean Cathedral to the Place du Change, forms the main axis of the area and virtually everywhere in the old town lies within a minute or two's walk of this street.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
the_3_adventurers
Raleigh, NC392 contributions
Beautiful view on your way from here to there
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 January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hooray H
London, UK2,257 contributions
A Step back in History
Aug 2020
This is really wonderful. Very well renovated & maintained, clean & charming. Easy to loose yourself while you admire the beautiful architecture, especially of the old doors.
Lots of restaurants & cafes & touristy shops but difficult to work out which are not commercial, if any.
The problem was people were not keeping their distance, especially on a busy Saturday night when there was a European Cup Football match on too.
So we wondered off to the quieter areas.
Written December 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ivo Carneiro De Sousa
Macau, China146 contributions
Pleasant Walking with History
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 March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Curtis S
Kingsport, TN2,608 contributions
A classic old town section
Sep 2021
After wandering around a hillside above, we strolled around the quaint narrow streets of Vieux Lyon. The streets were lined with shops, cafes, and bouchons, and these were the places the locals favored, not tourist traps. Shop your heart’s content and then sit down at a café, to sate your hunger or thirst and people watch. Recommended
Written October 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peasantfood
Adelaide, Australia762 contributions
Great overview of Lyon in 2 hours
Jan 2020 • Family
Paul was battling late comers and drizzly weather but like a good Dutchman he persevered. By two hours in we had a firm grounding of enough history of Lyon and the amazing city that I have learned to love more than Paris! Had a great time. Thanks.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Vieux Lyon - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Vieux Lyon
We recommend booking Vieux Lyon tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 31 Vieux Lyon tours on Tripadvisor