Topoguide - Neighborhoods and stories of Lyon... on foot

Lyon on foot: a journey through time and space

Lyon, capital of the Gauls!

This guide will help you discover an exceptional architectural and historical heritage, spread across its many districts, each with its own identity. Exploring the city on foot means immersing yourself in its thousand-year-old history and discovering hidden treasures.

VThe must-sees:

• Vieux Lyon: The historic heart of Lyon, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its cobbled streets, traboules (covered passages) and Renaissance houses make it a unique place.
• Presqu'île: The modern and commercial district of Lyon, where classical and contemporary architecture blend.
• Fourvière: The hill overlooking the city, with its Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica and breathtaking views.
• Croix-Rousse: The old silk district, with its traboules, artists' studios and authentic atmosphere.

Neighborhoods with many facets:

• La Part-Dieu: Lyon's business district, with its large train station and skyscrapers.
• Popular neighborhoods: The neighborhoods of La Guillotière, Croix-Rousse, and Guérinière, each with its own identity and history.
• The banks of the Saône and Rhône: Developed walking areas, ideal for a stroll along the water.

Thematic walks:

• Many guides and applications offer thematic walking routes to discover Lyon from different angles:
• Roman history: The amphitheater of the Three Gauls, the thermal baths...
• Architecture: Old Lyon, the Presqu'île, the Haussmannian buildings...
• Art of living: The bouchons lyonnais, the traboules, the markets...
• Social history: The Croix-Rousse, the Canuts, the Resistance...

This hiking guide includes:

• Maps on IGN background
• Signposted routes on the ground
• 13 walks classified by level of difficulty
• Essential practical information (Metro map, how to get to Lyon, getting around Lyon, preparing your hike...)
• Photos to discover the region