Top Lyon Nature Walks

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.

This self-guided walking tour takes you through the many layers of Lyon — a city that evolved from Roman capital to silk powerhouse to the gastronomic heart of France. As you walk through its historic streets, you’ll uncover how geography, trade, religion, industry, and food shaped Lyon into the city it is today. The route leads you through Vieux Lyon’s Renaissance streets and hidden courtyards, past former centres of trade and power, and into neighbourhoods shaped by workers, merchants, printers, and cooks. You’ll hear stories of Roman foundations, medieval archbishops, silk weavers and their revolts, and the women and chefs who turned everyday cooking into a defining cultural force. This tour is designed to be walked at your own pace, with short distances between stops and time to explore along the way. By the end, you won’t just recognise Lyon’s landmarks — you’ll understand how the city reinvented itself again and again, without ever losing its soul.

Finding your way in France’s third-largest city can be a challenge for first-time visitors to Lyon, and many of its historic landmarks and “traboules” (covered passageways) are easy to miss. This self-guided audio tour handles the navigation and provides historical context as you explore the Old Town and the Presqu'ile district. You set the pace, whether you want to whizz around the highlights or enjoy a leisurely weekend of sightseeing.

Begin at the Croix Rousse slopes, once home to the Canuts, Lyon’s famous silk weavers. As you descend through its winding streets, encounter vibrant murals and street art that celebrate the district’s unique identity and history. Learn how the Canuts’ legacy continues to influence the cultural and artistic spirit of modern Lyon. Continue to the Place des Terreaux, framed by the majestic City Hall and the stunning Bartholdi Fountain, a true masterpiece of 19th-century sculpture. Then, admire the refined architecture of the Place des Jacobins, where the elegant fountain takes center stage in one of Lyon’s most beloved squares. Conclude your journey at Place Bellecour, one of the largest squares in Europe, offering expansive views and a central role in Lyon’s urban life. Throughout the tour, your guide will share stories that bring these places to life, blending history, art, and culture.

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.

Glide around Lyon’s UNESCO-listed historic center on an easy-to-use electric bike with this 2-hour guided bike tour. Cruise along the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers, pedal around the lush Tête D’Or Park. Stop along the way to admire landmarks like Lyon Cathedral, stroll around bustling Bellecour square and discover little known monuments and local haunts.

This small-group e-bike tour shows you the best of Lyon and lets you cover more ground in less time than walking would. Hop on your bike and cruise past the old city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the famous Fresque des Lyonnais (a celebrated mural), the gardens of the Musée des Confluences, the Saône river, and more. Your local guide has tales to entertain and educate you as you pedal.

Journey from Lyon to the enchanting Chambéry, where history comes alive as you explore the Château des Ducs and the stunning Cathedral of Saint-François-de-Sales. Enjoy a local coffee break before heading to Aix-les-Bains, where a chic mountain lunch awaits, featuring delightful trout and fondue. End your day on a cruise in the picturesque Annecy, known as the 'Venice of the Alps,' with its charming old town and scenic bridges. - Explore the historic attractions of Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains - Savor a delicious mountain lunch at a local restaurant - Discover the charming streets of Annecy, with optional evening stops - Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Annecy

Allow yourself to be led by Anne -- "the lady with the yellow umbrella" -- through some of Lyon's main sights on this dynamic Intro to Lyon tour. Starting at kilometer 0 of the city, the tour wilI take you through time & space, leaving you with a better understanding of how history and geography shaped the city we know and love today. From the grandeur of the "God Hotel" to low-lit serpentine passageways, this walk promises to be rich in history and delightful anecdotes, while remaining accessible & enjoyable to all ages & physical abilities. -native English speaker, spirited storyteller -two-hour tour with 7 main stops -easily accessible visit with a total of about 20 stairs to navigate -small groups with a maximum cap of 15 people per tour

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.

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.

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.

Set off from Lyon to explore the picturesque vineyards of the Rhône Valley, home to the renowned Hermitage appellation. Begin with a guided hike through the vineyards, surrounded by stunning views of the Rhône River and rolling hills. Your guide will share insights into the region’s geology, flora, and winemaking traditions. After the hike, enjoy a leisurely lunch in Tain l’Hermitage, with recommendations from your guide on the best local spots. Then, visit the Valrhona Cité du Chocolat to explore the art of chocolate making and taste their premium creations. Finish your day with a visit to a local winery, where you’ll tour the facilities and enjoy a wine tasting of carefully selected Rhône Valley wines. Return to Lyon with unforgettable memories of wine, chocolate, and nature.

Explore Lyon’s Parc de la Tête d'Or – Nature, History & Hidden Secrets Can Parc de la Tête d'Or be summed up in just a few numbers? Absolutely not. This iconic Lyon landmark is much more than just a park—it's a treasure trove of nature, history, and biodiversity, best discovered with a passionate local guide. ✨ 105 hectares of greenery, a stunning lake & breathtaking gardens An extraordinary botanical collection & centuries-old trees A zoo in the heart of the park, home to over 800 animals ️ A rich historical heritage that tells the story of Lyon On this captivating and structured tour, dive into the origins of the park, its botanical wonders, and fascinating hidden curiosities. Along the way, discover how Lyon’s history and identity are reflected in this unique green space. An immersive experience combining nature, culture & fascinating stories!

Discover the Beaujolais vineyard with Inès and Anaïs, passionate wine experts. You will discover the gourmet pairing between wine and artisan chocolate, and learn to better understand the secrets of this perfect alliance. Two hours of total disconnection between visit of a winery and unusual tasting with Les Epicurieuses. This 2-hour workshop includes: - An immersive tour of the vineyard to understand the work of the winemaker and the cultivation of grapes throughout the seasons - An informative discovery of the cellar to better understand winemaking and its influence on the typicality of the wines of the estate - An introduction to tasting with tools designed to learn in a fun way - Presentation of the stages of making artisan chocolate - Gourmet pairings with 3 wines and 3 chocolates to master the art of food and wine pairings by juggling aromatics And surprises!

This walking tour traces the transformation of a city reinvented across two millennia. Begin your journey atop Fourviere Hill, where Roman soldiers once watched over their empire. Stand in the ancient Roman theatres where 10,000 spectators gathered for performances 2000 years ago. Step inside the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, a 19th-century masterpiece of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture adorned with mosaics and golden ceilings. Descend through time into Vieux Lyon, one of Europe's largest Renaissance quarters. Navigate the traboules - secret covered passageways built in the 4th century for quick river access. These same passages later served the Canuts, Lyon's silk workers, who carried fabrics through hidden corridors. During World War II, the Resistance used these routes to evade Nazi patrols. Learn how Lyon transformed from Roman capital to Renaissance banking hub to the silk capital of Europe. Hear stories of emperors, merchants and resistance fighters who shaped Lyon !

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.