Unique Tours Lyon: Private Walking Tour of the Traboules
Description
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
Tour Options
Itinerary
Traboules Croix-Rousse Hill Walk through the Croix-Rousse hill, the historic district of Lyon’s silk workers (Canuts). Discover tall, functional traboules designed for transporting silk, hidden courtyards, and stairways used during the 19th-century revolts and the French Resistance. This area offers a more raw, industrial vision of the traboules, far from postcard tourism.
Traboules Presqu’île (Peninsula of Lyon) Explore discreet traboules in the Presqu’île, linking streets between the Rhône and Saône rivers. Learn how these passageways shaped commercial life, urban movement, and daily routines in central Lyon. This section highlights the contrast between public façades and hidden inner courtyards, revealing how the city truly functioned behind the scenes.
Traboules & Courtyards – Old Town (Vieux Lyon) Enter the Renaissance heart of Lyon, with its iconic traboules and inner courtyards in Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through richly decorated passageways, spiral staircases, and merchant courtyards that reflect Lyon’s role as a major European trading city. This part focuses on architecture, medieval history, and the evolution of the old town from the 15th century onward.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(7)
The tour required navigating literally hundreds of stairs. It was physically too difficult for me (I am 74). Our guide was as accommodating as possible but I was not able to finish the tour. He adjusted snd even allowed for a rest stop. I probably should have read the description more closely. The guide was great / the tour was just not for me.
Thank you for acknowledging that your guide was attentive, adapted the visit and did everything possible to make the experience more comfortable. We are sorry that the route proved too physically demanding for you. This traboules tour includes a substantial number of steps, but the itinerary is designed predominantly downhill from Croix-Rousse, rather than involving a prolonged uphill climb. The listing also states that a moderate level of physical fitness is required and that the tour is not suitable for all mobility conditions. Your guide adjusted the route and included a rest stop, but unfortunately the experience was not the right physical fit for you. Given that you describe the guide as “great” and acknowledge that the physical requirements were included in the description, we are naturally disappointed that the experience received the lowest possible rating. We strongly encourage guests with knee, balance or mobility concerns to contact us before booking, so that we can recommend a gentler private itinerary.
Our guide tailored the tour to both our interests and the rainy day. He was a wealth of knowledge and charming too! The best recommendation was the Hot Club of Lyon Jazz club. He gave us a special tour of the space to get us out of the rain and we bought tickets for the evenings performance. It was fantastic! Best night in Lyon. After the tour I felt I really knew the heart of Lyon.
Well worth doing Our guide went out of his way to impart local knowledge. Also some great restaurant recommendations
A different take on Lyon - expertly given by an obviously knowledgeable and generous guide. Wear comfortable shoes ☺️
A very competent and pleasant guide, the explanations provided were complete and not too dense, so easy to grasp. A great time with more coffee and praline brioches the + included and very appreciated by all. I recommend 100% the activity and guide.
This is a thorough and warm-hearted tour of several key areas of the most charming parts of the city. The guide is friendly and knowledgeable, and every member of my family felt that we picked up new, curious details of Lyon that we simply wouldn't have picked up otherwise. The guide gave us several good recommendations for additional activities, starting with dinner (this evening) which we quite enjoyed. Recommended!
Didac was a fantastic tour guide through the Traboules. Passionate about the history, culture and sharing his knowledge of Lyon. Wear good walking shoes - you will cover a great deal of ground through the Croix-Rousse, Presquile, and Vieux Lyon.
