Top Lyon Walking 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.

Most travelers think they’ve seen Lyon after walking through Vieux Lyon or tasting a bouchon meal. But what if I told you that the true charm of the city hides behind quiet courtyards, secret passages, and stories whispered through its cobblestone streets? Lyon reveals itself slowly and only to those who know where to look. Without a local guide, it’s easy to miss the city’s heartbeat. You might admire the Renaissance façades but overlook the hidden traboules. Lyon isn’t just about what you see, it’s about what you feel, and exploring alone means missing the warmth and rhythm of its everyday life. That’s why this Walking Tour in Lyon makes all the difference. Your local guide adapts to your curiosity, leading you through iconic sights and secret corners only locals know. Together, you’ll uncover Lyon’s beauty, history, the one most travelers never find.

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.

A truly private tour : This experience is 100% private: only you and your group — no strangers, no fixed routes, no imposed pace. Access to non-public traboules : Explore historic traboules that are normally closed to the general public, in Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse, thanks to a licensed and authorized local guide. Living history, not tourist storytelling : Discover the key role of the silk workers (Canuts) and the French Resistance during World War II, through the secret passageways that shaped Lyon’s history. A flexible itinerary, tailored to you : The walk adapts to your interests: architecture, medieval history, local life, or UNESCO World Heritage. Led by a local expert : Your tour is guided by a licensed professional guide, specialized in private and cultural tours in Lyon. Carefully selected traboules : With over 500 traboules across the city, this tour focuses on the most meaningful and historically rich ones — many outside conventional tourist routes

Explore the atmospheric Old Town of Lyon like a local with your foodie guide and a small group of budding gastronomes. Visit at least four different restaurants, bakeries, and artisan shops around Lyon, and indulge in Lyonnaise specialties such as pike quenelle (fish mousse) with rice, local charcuterie, and pink praline brioche, accompanied by regional wines including at least one alcoholic drink for guests over 18.

Tour and taste your way around Lyon on this half-day Old Town food tour. Save hours researching where to find the best local food, and instead, have insider knowledge from your guide. Meet local producers, and learn about Lyon’s wonderful gastronomy scene. You won’t have to worry about translation problems—your guide translates for you, as you enjoy several tastings throughout the day.

Discover the rich history and unique charm of Lyon on a walking tour through the elegant Presqu’île district and the historic streets of Vieux Lyon. Known as the gastronomic capital of France and a UNESCO World Heritage city, Lyon offers visitors a fascinating blend of Roman origins, Renaissance architecture, and vibrant local culture. Your experience begins at the iconic Place Bellecour, one of the largest pedestrian squares in Europe and the symbolic heart of the city. Surrounded by elegant buildings and lively streets, this historic square provides the perfect introduction to Lyon’s past and present. From here, your guide will introduce the city’s fascinating story, from its beginnings as a Roman settlement to its development as one of Europe’s most important commercial hubs.

Lyon is one of the world’s most famous culinary hotspots. Learn why food is one of the city’s proudest traditions on this half-day small-group or private tour. Hear about the chefs who’ve left their mark on the city’s gastronomic scene while sampling French pastries, cheeses, and sweets at venues across the city.

Take the chance to discover Lyon's local cuisine during this guided food tour. Savor typical Lyon cuisine as you explore central city highlights and uncover hidden gems with a local guide. Immerse yourself in the city's culture and history while indulging in delightful specialties and learning about local life.

Visit the streets of old Lyon by bicycle taxi and admire the historical monuments that abound. A fun alternative to being cooped up in a coach, the bike taxi offers an unobstructed view and an eco-friendly solution. Book a bike taxi for two adults and a child under six and, if you want a longer excursion, upgrade to also include the Presqu'île and the banks of the Rhône River.

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.

Take a walk through Lyon's history with a private guide, and discover the small French city as it was during Roman days. You'll learn about the city's architecture and culture through curiosity-packed commentary that's sure to keep your interest piqued as you explore. Stories of Lyon lions and secret city passageways are among the highlights.

Lyon is known for its historic neighborhoods and award-winning gastronomy—this tour covers both in a single morning. Explore the atmospheric squares and traboules (covered passageways) of Old Lyon and the Peninsula with a Local Guide. Along the way, make photo stops at Lyon’s most memorable monuments and enjoy gourmet food-tasting breaks at five local establishments. Visit foodie spots that only locals know about, and sample a variety of delicious regional specialties.

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.

On the way to the wine-tasting room, take several traboules (hidden passageways) and enjoy the beautiful architecture and history of Lyon Old town. Discover Lyon's wine regions through a wine-tasting of 5 wines in a private wine-tasting room. Learn about wine and food pairing along this Lyon wine-tasting session.

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 temple of Lyon’s gastronomy on a 2.5-hour guided food tour at the iconic Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. This legendary covered market is home to the most emblematic food houses and renowned artisans that have shaped Lyon’s reputation as the gastronomic capital of France. Led by a passionate local guide from a family-run Lyon-based company, this tour takes you behind the scenes of Lyon’s culinary traditions. You will visit carefully selected, historic stalls and enjoy a variety of sweet and savory tastings, which may include cheeses, cured meats, traditional dishes, local pastries, chocolates and macaroon and regional specialties (tastings vary by season). More than a simple food tour, this experience offers an authentic local perspective, warm storytelling, and genuine encounters with the people who keep Lyon’s food heritage alive. A convivial and immersive way to discover Lyon through its flavors.

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.

Experience some of what makes France so famous for its food in this private tour of The Halles of Lyon - Paul Bocuse a historic covered market in one of the world’s food capitals. Meet local producers and learn inside secrets from your guide. Taste everything from pralines and macaroons, to locally made cheeses, dumplings, cured meats, and of course wine. This tour is ideal for visitors with a passion for food, who want to taste the flavors of Lyon.

After having been a professional guide for several years in the south of France, I am now an official guide for the city of Lyon. Driven by the same passion for 20 years, I am waiting for you in Lyon to help you discover the entire city, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. We will use the funicular to travel between Fourvière hill and Old Lyon. If you wish, we can also discover the Presqu'île district and the Croix Rousse district together. As an official guide, I will of course adapt to all your desires and will not fail to show you the gastronomic specialties of Lyon, as well as recommend its best restaurants. Also, there will be no waiting time to enter the monuments during the entire tour. We can meet wherever you want in Lyon. Best regards Roman

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 and zip through the dazzling Croix Rousse tunnel, with its unique sound and light show. Stop along the way to admire landmarks like Lyon Cathedral, stroll around bustling Bellecour square and discover little known monuments and local haunts.

Go one step further than tasting Lyon’s famous cuisine and learn the city’s culinary secrets from a French chef. Get hands-on in the kitchen—and at the local market—during this small-group cooking class, as you take part in every step, from selecting the fresh ingredients to plating up your 4-course homemade lunch. Create a variety of dishes, including regional specialties and an indulgent dessert.

Set out with your own private guide to discover Lyon, and get a more intimate look at the second largest city in France. Exploring at a pace that suits your personal group best, you’ll check out Lyon’s Renaissance architecture, landmarks, and the famous “traboules” passageways in the old town streets—all while learning about key events through Lyon’s history.