Top Lyon Archaeology Tours

Lyon’s old town is riddled with secret passageways and history. This immersive, guided walking tour begins at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral and takes you through the traboules (covered passageways used by silk workers to transport fabrics), to present-day silk workshops, and the Museum of Cinema and Miniatures, before finishing up at the Grand Hotel Dieu, formerly the city hospital, now a luxury hotel and shopping complex.

Lyon flies more under the tourist radar than it should—with UNESCO sites aplenty, 2,000 years of visible architecture, and some of the country’s best foodie experiences, the city’s one world-class adventure. You’ll learn about and see all the best spots on this walking tour, your local guide leading the way from the neighborhood of Croix-Rousse to the famous Vieux Lyon.

Discover Lyon’s highlights, and wend your way past major landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites alike, on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in the afternoon at the Bartholdi Fountain, and set off on foot. Over the course of several hours, you’ll learn all about the city’s history and gourmet traditions, will stroll through Vieux Lyon (its Old Town), will travel by funicular up Fourvière Hill, and more.

The perfect introduction to France’s history-filled city, this hop-on hop-off tour of Lyon makes stops at several attractions. Enrich your visit with audio commentary in multiple languages as you listen to anecdotes about the city, its people, and its heritage. Your pass is valid for the whole day, so you can get down—and back on—as many times as you’d like.

Meet and talk with local artisans as you sample their cuisine on this afternoon food tour that offers access to people and places only locals know. Savor local specialties at four separate tasting stops as you stroll among the murals and alleyways of Old Town, Lyon’s UNESCO district. Potential bites on the menu include cheese, cold cuts, brioche, chocolates, wine, and artisanal ice cream in the warmer months.

Meet a Lyon local for a private walking tour that’s like having a friend—rather than a professional guide—to show you around the city. It’s a new concept in travel, and everything from the pre-tour phone consultation to the walking tour itself is completely tailored to you. Whether you’re exploring neighborhood life or looking for Lyon’s most authentic flavors, it’s a personalized alternative to an off-the-shelf itinerary.

Travelers that want to avoid a crowded tour bus—but see more than with a typical walking tour—shouldn't miss this comfortable, pedicab tour in Lyon. As you cruise through the heart of the city, see top attractions, from bustling Place Bellecour to the historic Theatre des Celestins and Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste. Along the way, learn about Lyon's history from your guide, and see some of the city's ancient hillside passageways, called traboules.

Discover Lyon in a way you’ll never forget. Stroll through its history-filled streets, marvel at the towering Pink Tower, feel the elegance of the Opera House and vibrate in the iconic Plaza de Bellecour. Every corner tells fascinating stories, local secrets and curiosities that make this city a unique place. With an expert and passionate guide, you will live Lyon through its anecdotes, culture and architecture, feeling the city as if you were a real local. This is your chance to immerse yourself in Lyon’s history, art and magic on a tour full of life, surprises and memorable moments. ✨ An essential experience for those who want to know the soul of Lyon and capture unforgettable memories.

Immerse yourself in the old-world charm of Lyon on this private walking tour. Discover the cultural, historical, and architectural highlights that afford the city its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Wander through Old Lyon and uncover its hidden passageways, marvel at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and peek behind the curtain of the city’s puppet shows with a visit to the Guignol Puppet Museum.

Discover the two hills of Lyon, Fourviere and Croix-Rousse, on this half-day excursion. With a small group, hike to the top of each hill and take in the views of Lyon. Explore the neighborhood of Croix-Rousse as well as the Chartreux Gardens. Then, discover the ancient Roman history of Lyon as you explore the Fourviere which is home to the ruins of baths and theater.

The "Old Town" of Lyon stands as one of France's oldest and most enchanting quarters. Its rich history and architecture exemplify the city's prominence in Europe during the Renaissance period. Designated as the first protected heritage site in France in 1964, this district consistently captivates both visitors and locals, as well as cultural professionals who continually rediscover its secrets. This tour offers an opportunity to leisurely stroll along picturesque cobblestone streets and uncover the historical significance of Lyon's enduring landmarks, such as the renowned Great Silk Industry quarters and the world-famous Gastronomy of Lyon, featuring traditional restaurants known as "Bouchons." Additionally, we will delve into Lyon's role as the "Capital of Resistance" during the Second World War and explore hidden interior courtyards with their secret passageways, famously known as the "traboules."

Discover the most beautiful monuments of the capital of Gaul in its heyday: Roman theatre and odeon. Imagine everyday Gallo-Roman life as you discover remains infused into the city. Check-out from the Fourvière Basilica, discover the location of the forum, the nerve centre of the city. Then we will immerse you in Gallo-Roman entertainment by discovering the magnificent theater, the odeon and the streets full of life near them. During a walk on the heights offering a splendid view of the city, daily life is revealed by the remains scattered along the streets: aqueducts, thermal baths and fountain tell you more about the importance of water while the mausoleums arranged by the roads and the remains of the church Saint-Just built since the 5th century allow us to evoke the Roman religion and the relationship to death. The tour ends at the Minimes funicular - Roman Theatre.

Travel back nearly two thousand years and discover Lugdunum, the capital of Roman Gaul and one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. Begin at the impressive Roman theatre, where thousands of spectators once gathered to watch plays, musical performances and official ceremonies. Discover why Roman roads connecting the whole of Gaul converged here and transformed Lyon into one of the empire's great crossroads. Continue to the elegant Odeon, where intellectuals and local elites attended poetry readings and competitions. Explore the remains associated with the sanctuary of Cybele and discover the fascinating beliefs and rituals of Roman citizens. Discover how Lugdunum became one of the empire's most prestigious cities and played a key role in the administration of Gaul. The tour also reveals another chapter of Lyon's history: the rise of Christianity. This journey into ancient Lugdunum reveals how modern Lyon was built upon the foundations of one of Rome's greatest cities.