--- title: Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English) lang: en alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/france/lyon/tours/vieux-lyon-cultural-historical-walking-guided-tour-english/ type: tour city: Lyon country: France price: 5 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.93 reviews: 1043 duration_minutes: 120 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" guidekin_pick: First walk? rank_in_category: 2 of 10 (Walking Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-09-24 data_updated: 2026-10-12 canonical: https://guidekin.com/france/lyon/tours/vieux-lyon-cultural-historical-walking-guided-tour-english/ --- # Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English) **Guidekin's take:** A two hour walk through Vieux Lyon at a token per person price, threading the traboules, the Renaissance courtyards and the silk trade story that shaped the district. It runs as an open group in English with no pickup and nothing to eat included; wear shoes for cobbles and stairs. 4.93 from 1043 reviews at €5 per person. **First walk?:** For a first walk: Vieux Lyon and traboules, 2h, English only; €5 per person reservation fee, tips extra. 4.93, 1043 reviews. Trade-off: Reservation fee only; tips paid separately. (last checked September 24, 2026) In our comparison: #2 of 10 in Walking Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Step into the heart of Lyon on a captivating walking tour that weaves together centuries of mystery, culture, and culinary delights. With your engaging guide, Paul, you'll explore Vieux Lyon— where every cobblestone and secret passageway tells its own story. What to Expect: Insider Secrets: Meander through the traboules (hidden passageways) that only locals truly know. Cultural Tapestry: Delve into Lyon’s vibrant history—from the Renaissance splendor to its unique role in silk production. Historic Narratives: Hear gripping tales of bravery during World War II, including the complex legacy of the era marked by Klaus Barbie and the inspiring resistance efforts. Culinary Heritage: Explore the traditional world of Lyon’s famous bouchons and discover how culinary legends like Paul Bocuse have helped shape the city’s reputation. Modern Marvels: Visit Lyon’s bustling city center, to see architectural gems such as the Théâtre des Célestins and the historic Hôtel Dieu. ## Before you book - Meeting point: This tour starts at 10:00 am on Place… - Starts 10:00: one departure a day - Food not included: Breakfast - Strollers OK: infants accepted **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €5 per person - Duration: 2h - Rating: 4.93/5 from 1043 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Free Tour Lyon - Group: Shared tour - Guide languages: English - Start times: 10:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-24 ## Reviews 4.93 from 1043 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 1032 of 1043. - 5 stars: 994 (95%) - 4 stars: 38 (4%) - 3 stars: 3 (0%) - 2 stars: 6 (1%) - 1 star: 2 (0%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers praise the engaging history and practical local tips; large groups are the main recurring reservation. **Praised:** - Engaging history and cultural explanations with humour and local stories - Access to traboules and places visitors would not have found alone - Useful restaurant and sightseeing recommendations, including printed tips - A manageable walking pace with time to take in the sights - Clear explanations and attentive handling of the group **Complaints:** - Some flag large groups, while others say the experience still feels personal Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2025-12-25 to 2026-10-02); last checked 2026-10-07. ## What's included - All Fees and Taxes ## Not included - Pick-up not included - Breakfast ## Itinerary 1. **Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon** (15m; admission included) - A quick visit to the cathedral and it's astronomical clock 2. **Traboules du Vieux Lyon** (15m; admission included) - We visit a few of the hidden passageway, the traboules, in Vieux Lyon 3. **Musee Cinema & Miniature** (10m) - We will have a look at some miniatures in the free courtyard of the museum 4. **We will have a look at the iconic piece of architectureof Vieux Lyon, La Tour...** (5m; admission included) - We will have a look at the iconic piece of architectureof Vieux Lyon, La Tour Rose 5. **Brochier Soieries Vieux Lyon** (5m; admission included) - In this silk shop, we will see the live silkworms during the silk season and might even visit the model of the jacquard loom. 6. **Passerelle du Palais-de-Justice** (pass by, no stop) - We will see the impressive courthouses of Lyon, where the trial of Klaus Barbie took place 7. **Theatre des Celestins** (10m; admission included) - We'll see the façade of the theatre and maybe descend into the modern artwork that is hidden underneath the square 8. **Rue de la Republique** (pass by, no stop) - This is the main shopping street of Lyon 9. **Grand Hotel Dieu** (10m; admission included) - We will visit the Hôtel Dieu, the old hospital that has recently been transformed with a shopping center, luxury hotel and food court inside. ## Schedule - Runs: Mon, Thu, Sat - Departures: 10:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-09-24 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point This tour starts at 10:00 am on Place Saint Jean. I will be standing next to the statue of St. John in the middle of the square with a sign in my hands. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:EiJQbC4gU2FpbnQtSmVhbiwgNjkwMDUgTHlvbiwgRnJhbmNlIi4qLAoUChIJS2tnC6vr9EcRQtN6sex5m4ASFAoSCZeH6GpR6vRHEfAhu-QqqwgE Ends: We will finish inside the lovely Hôtel Dieu ## Good to know - Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller - Service animals allowed - Public transportation options are available nearby - Suitable for all physical fitness levels ## Compared with other Walking Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #2 of 10** | €5 | 2h | 4.93 (1043) | shared | | [Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small group) including Funicular](/france/lyon/tours/lyon-highlights-secrets-walking-guided-tour-small-group-including-funicular/?format=md) | €33 | 3h | 4.98 (950) | shared | | [Highlights and Hidden Gems of Lyon Guided Walking Tour (English)](/france/lyon/tours/highlights-and-hidden-gems-of-lyon-guided-walking-tour-english/?format=md) | €5 | 2h | 4.93 (858) | shared | | [Big Traboules in Little Lyon Private Walking Tour](/france/lyon/tours/big-traboules-in-little-lyon-private-walking-tour/?format=md) | €65 | 2h | 4.94 (161) | private | Ranked #2 of 10 in Walking Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €5 to €210, median €37; typical length 2h. 4 of 10 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/france/lyon/walking-tours-lyon/?format=md ## More in Lyon - All Lyon tours: https://guidekin.com/france/lyon/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/france/lyon/tours/vieux-lyon-cultural-historical-walking-guided-tour-english/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/france/lyon/?format=md