Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Vieux Lyon
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
- Roman Theater
- Presqu'île
- Lyon Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)
Photos & Highlights
- Half-day tour highlighting Lyon's rich history
- Led by a historian
Select a date
Tour Description
The third-largest city of France, Lyon has played a powerful role in shaping the region's history since its founding two thousand years ago as the Roman capital of Gaul. A crossroad on the trade routes between Italy and the rest of Europe, Lyon grew to be a rich center of trade and Christianity. Untouched by mass-tourism, our half-day Lyon tour led by a local historian provides a thorough introduction to this French city's abundant history and culture, shown through its taste for art and cuisine.
Experts
- Place Bellecour
- Vieux-Lyon Neighborhood
- Basilica de Notre-Dame de Fouvière
- Saint Georges District
- Presqu'île
- Roman Theatre
- 3 hours with a PhD or MA level guide
Our discovery of Lyon begins at its central Place Bellecour, one of the largest open squares in Europe and the city's kilometer 0. Our walk will continue in the most famous neighborhood of Lyon: Vieux-Lyon, the old city center, also known as the Saint-Jean area. Strolling down its charming narrow cobble-stoned streets, through its traboules (local covered passageways), we will discover the area's history and its many hidden architectural treasures. The district's centerpiece is the Gothic-style Saint-Jean Cathedral, a symbol of the religious power of the city.
We will continue our exploration by climbing the Fourvière Hill, dominated by the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. From its heights, we will be able to have an exceptional view of the entire city, noting its expansion since Roman times. We will then travel back in time to Lugdunum, as Lyon was called during Antiquity, visiting the well-preserved Roman amphitheater and Odeon. Selected as the Roman capital of Gaul, Lugdunum formed the gateway between the rest of the Roman Empire and northern cities. As we walk through these sites, we will learn about the organization of the Roman city and daily life in those times.
Strolling back down to Lyon's center, we will arrive in the district of Saint Georges, another old neighborhood with cobbled streets and colorful buildings along the Saône River. We will end our walk among the treasures of the Presqu’ile, the geographic center of Lyon, with its lively squares and elegant 19th century facades.
Lyon's historical intricacies from its days as the former capital of Gaul and its many hidden charms won parts of the city their designation as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1998. As our time together comes to a close, we will have uncovered what makes Lyon such a gem.
I'm staying in Paris and would like to do this as a day-trip. Is this possible?
This is possible, though it would be a rather long day, as Lyon is a little over two hours by train from Paris. Please contact us for more details about the logistics of such a trip; we are happy to offer advice and see it it can work for your itinerary. Please note that our guides are based in Lyon.
This is possible, though it would be a rather long day, as Lyon is a little over two hours by train from Paris. Please contact us for more details about the logistics of such a trip; we are happy to offer advice and see it it can work for your itinerary. Please note that our guides are based in Lyon.
I'm taking the train to Lyon the morning of my tour. Which train station should I arrive at?
Perrache station is closest to our meeting point at a 10-15 minute walk. Part-Dieu station is a 15-minute taxi ride from our meeting point.
Are the interiors of the venues visited?
No, this tour focuses primarily on the exteriors of the stops as it's a walking tour, however, if a venue is open and time allows, your expert may be able to bring you inside.
Perrache station is closest to our meeting point at a 10-15 minute walk. Part-Dieu station is a 15-minute taxi ride from our meeting point.
Are the interiors of the venues visited?
No, this tour focuses primarily on the exteriors of the stops as it's a walking tour, however, if a venue is open and time allows, your expert may be able to bring you inside.
Where You'll Start
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58 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Magali C. was charming and loves her city. My travel partner was not walking well due to a bout with arthritis. But she wanted to do the walk, and did! Magali was responsive to her ability level while not being patronizing. She provided a number of stops and places to sit and talk. In the end, my friend peeled off late afternoon, and Magali and I trooped around the rest of the day. It was generous of her to treat us so well without talking down to us or seeming inconvenienced. She showed us so many things about Lyon that we would not have seen, which is precisely the reason we book Context tours wherever we travel. We loved the silk weaving demo and treasure the scarves we took home from there. The churches were magnificent and the views of the Roman ruins were breathtaking and a surprise as she let us peek over the wall without a lot of preparation. We stayed in the old city and really liked having lunch there where we, with Magali's guidance, ate a typical Lyonnais lunch that wasn't scary food, (like veal head.) Oh it was all fun, the traboules, the chocolate tasting, her final restaurant recommendation. We love Lyon, thanks to Magali and Context.
Nancy
Reviewed on:
Apr 21, 2017
I had an awesome visit to Lyon (despite the rain and the wind).
Magali C. succeeded to cover the many centuries of history of Lyon, pointing out the most important historic facts and their impacts on the city (including it’s architecture). Surely, I knew facts about Lyon, people and places I would not know if I have not had her guidance. Besides, she guided safely through my gastronomic experience in Lyon (I say “safely” because some of the dishes can be defying for those who are not used to them). Finally, we were able do discuss Lyon and France’s present situation, what was also great, and she gave me valuable tips for the rest of my trip.
It must be emphasized that it was a daylong itinerary and Magali was able to keep my interest during all our visit and perfectly adapt our itinerary in accordance with my interests.
Henry
Reviewed on:
Mar 13, 2017
Magali C. is an extraordinary docent. I think that she is one of the best we have ever enjoyed from Context. I hope you continue to include tours from her on your list of tours. She has a broad and deep reservoir of knowledge, being able to cover diverse tastes and interests. Her knowledge of Lyon and her skillful planning and organization of the tour revealed Lyon with surprise vistas or intimate beauty supported by anecdotes and stories through which we began to know Lyon and appreciate Lyon in ways we never imagined. Magali also has special skills and sensitivity connecting with people. We felt we were visiting a friend who was showing us Lyon. My husband and I have spent time in Lyon at least 4 or 5 times before this visit, but our Lyon tour was special and a highlight of our trip because of Magali.
Connie
Reviewed on:
Oct 28, 2016
