If you thought Lyon was a cool city, wait until you see Vieux Lyon. Located at the foot of Fourvière hill, along the Saône river, it is one of the city’s most unique neighborhoods, and its oldest.
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC as the capital of the Three Gauls, Lyon has carried its history through the centuries. Today, Vieux Lyon is one of France’s 43 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and it is also recognized as one of the best-preserved Renaissance cities in Europe. The neighborhood nearly disappeared in the 1960s, but it was saved thanks to André Malraux, who made Vieux Lyon the country’s first protected historic district in 1964.
Wander through the cobbled streets, admire the Renaissance and Gothic architecture, and push the doors marked with a triangle sign to discover the famous traboules. These hidden passageways, once used by silk workers, and later by Resistance fighters during World War II. Stop by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, visit the local shops, enjoy a drink on a terrace, or simply get lost among colorful facades and secret courtyards. During the day, the streets are full of tourists, curious about Vieux Lyon’s history, but at night it turns into a lively, buzzing place with small bars and restaurants.
Vieux Lyon is full of surprises, and you won’t get bored!
