Streets squares and districts to visit Rhônes-Alpes

Vieux Lyon" does not refer to the oldest district of the city. Lugdunum began its history on the heights of Fourvière rather than on the banks of the Saône. Vieux Lyon refers to the Renaissance district of the city, saved from a promised destruction by becoming the first safeguarded sector of France by André Malraux in 1964, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The Old Lyon is quite clearly delimited by the Fourvière hill which overhangs it, the Saône river which runs alongside it, the montée de Choulans to the south and the rue Saint-Paul to the north. The quays offer a pleasant walk with many festive bars which animate the district at night.

Saint-Georges. From Bellecour, take the Saint-Georges footbridge to reach the church. In the 14th century, the Order of Malta settled in the Commanderie de Saint-Georges and the church, whose name pays tribute to the martyr George of Lydda, became a sanctuary. The original church threatened to collapse in the 19th century and was demolished in 1844 to be replaced by one of the first works of Pierre Marie Bossan, the future architect of the Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière basilica. Renovated about fifteen years ago, it fits perfectly into the ensemble of Old Lyon. In less renovated streets, you should discover the Place de la Trinité, a crossroads of typical streets of the district, including the famous montée du Gourguillon towards Fourvière. This place owes its fame to the Maison du Soleil, traditionally used as a set for the Guignol puppets. Moreover, the House of Guignol is on the other side of the square and a street called Mourguet perpetuates the memory of the creator of the famous puppet. The street Tramassac makes the link with the district of Saint-Jean.

Saint-Jean. Saint-Jean really starts when you arrive in front of the impressive primatial. Also look behind you to contemplate Fourvière from below. By continuing in the most touristic district of Lyon, the curiosities follow one another: the traboules, the superb Renaissance residences: House of the Lawyers, House of the Chamarier, Gadagne Museum... You will be amazed, especially if you push a few doors! And yet, for a long time, this district was the worst in Lyon and was almost destroyed in the 1960s by Mayor Louis Pradel before being protected by the Malraux law and renovated to welcome tourists from all over the world who stop to eat on the terraces (a tip: discover the best addresses in Vieux Lyon in your Petit Futé or you'll be disappointed...). With its cobbled streets closed to traffic, its admirable Renaissance houses, its Italian airs and its remarkable buildings - including the unavoidable Primatiale des Gaules, the Palais de Justice, the Tour Rose, Gadagne, the Temple du Change, the Maison Thomassin... -saint-Jean offers a jump in time. For the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral, which alone deserves a column in our guide, see the article devoted to it in this Petit Futé. The visit of the district is essentially done by the two axes that are the rue Saint-Jean and the rue du Boeuf which owes its name to a statue of an ox, in fact a bull, installed in a niche at the corner of the place Neuve. Among the remarkable sites: the Cour des Loges - a magnificent architectural ensemble of 4 Renaissance buildings which today houses a luxurious hotel and a starred restaurant -, the Maison du Crible which houses the famous "pink tower", one of the emblems of Old Lyon. By the way, did you know that the rue du Boeuf was the street with the most starred restaurants in France (three in total) and an astonishing Food Traboule which alone is worth a gourmet visit? The Place Neuve Saint-Jean, invaded by terraces of restaurants of another kind, allows to make the link with the Saint-Jean street. After the place du Petit Collège, we go through the rue Gadagne (Museum of History of Lyon and Museum of Marionette Arts) towards the rue du Loge. After a stop on the Place du Change where you can admire one of the oldest houses in Lyon, the Maison Thomassin, visitors head back south along Rue Saint-Jean where traboules and admirable residences follow one another: Maison Laurencin, Maison du Chamarier, Maison de Jean Gay and Maison des Avocats whose elegant Italian Renaissance-style arcades can be seen from Rue de la Bombarde. On your way back to the cathedral, push the door of n° 54 to go through the longest and most beautiful traboule of Vieux Lyon which allows you to cross 4 houses to reach the rue du Boeuf at n° 27.

Saint-Paul. Like the other districts of Vieux Lyon, Saint-Paul is organized around its church, one of the oldest in Lyon, since the 12th century, but also, and this is more original, around its train station. In the Middle Ages, the neighborhood became a refuge for Jewish families expelled in the 14th century. Rue Juiverie still recalls this period of history and is one of the best preserved, most authentic streets in Old Lyon. Rich bankers and consular families of the city settled in rich residences with the famous House of the Heads of Lions formerly inhabited by the Medicis and at n° 8 the splendid gallery realized by Philibert Delorme, a whole giving airs of opulence to this district formerly well served by the port Saint-Paul and today by a station TER.

It was in the 17th century that a Place de la Liberté was created on a strategic site between the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse and the Presqu'île. In the heart of Lyon and power, the Place des Terreaux houses two emblematic places - the town hall and a former convent converted into a fine arts museum - and an equally emblematic monument: the Bartholdi fountain named after its sculptor (the same as for the Statue of Liberty). The square, redesigned by Christian Drevet and Daniel Buren, has been entirely restored but retains a "mineral" appearance.

Pedestrian and cobbled street of the 5th arrondissement, rue Saint-Jean dates from the 3rd century, when Lyon was still called Lugdunum. Today, it is the main axis of the pedestrian traffic in the Old-Lyon, a district listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the most popular streets in the Lyon city. Remarkable houses, mansion houses and museums are legion, at the same number as the tourists who walk its cobblestone streets.

At first glance, Grenoble seems like a new city whose history would have begun with the Olympic Games 50 years ago. And yet.... Grenoble is an ancient city whose history can be told on the cobblestones of its ancient centre. Between the quays of Isère, from rue Lafayette to rue Voltaire, we first discover the nails marking the location of the Roman enclosure of Cularo. From alleys to small squares, Grenoble unveils its mysteries and many buildings with impressive carriage gates. A walk that naturally ends on Place Saint-André in front of the Old Parliament Building.

The name Traboules designates these famous narrow passages which allow you to go down the hill through the courtyards of buildings. In the 19th century, they were the daily crossing point of the canuts, the weavers. At the end of your journey, the silk workshop awaits you at the bottom of the slopes; its visit is fascinating.

Rate: €12 per adult, €7 at reduced rate (children from 8 to 18 years old and students).

Duration: 2h.

Difficulty: easy.

Other practical information: calendar of visits available on the www.visiterlyon.com website. Mandatory reservation. Be there 10 minutes before the departure of the visit.

Know everything about the decor. A dream decor, since it is the splendid Stadium of the Alps. Who did not want to go to the changing rooms, to trample on the lawn or to enter the Honorary lodge of this impressive arena? This allows you to visit a guided tour which leads us behind the scenes. From its glass roof of 18 000 m ² to its lounges, through all the technical equipment, the building reveals many surprises. An unusual tour recommended by the Smart.

With its traboules, architectural curiosities and mythical Théâtre de Guignol, Vieux-Lyon is one of the most entertaining historic sites to visit with family. Accompanied by a certified guide lecturer assigned by the tourist office of the city, venture with your children in this play-based and informative walk. Watch the signs, the street names or the details of a few monuments, and head gradually towards the Astronomical Clock of the Cathédrale Saint-Jean… After an hour and a half walking, children and adults will have learned much more about the history of this neighbourhood.

Rate: €12 per adult, €7 at reduced rate (children from 8 to 18 years old and students).

Duration: 1h30.

Difficulty: easy.

Other practical information: schedule of visits available on the www.visiterlyon.com website. Mandatory reservation. Be there 10 minutes before the departure of the visit. Visit accessible from 6 years and limited to 20 people. Compulsory presence of an adult companion for each child.

Small pedestrian streets serving garden gardens protected by high walls and suitable for a pleasant stroll.

The historic centre is bordered by the streets of the Church, the Station and Colombier. On the central square, a tower is erected around the th century, and it has given its name to the village. The village was built around the church tower (demolished in 1870), which the inhabitants called the castle. Several houses had their utility, such as suel, where we were fighting wheat or chenevrier, where hemp was stored. Each farmer had a cella or a cellar, where he could take refuge in the event of an attack by robbers. Some of these homes still exist. This old quarter is to be seen or reviewed by a sunny Sunday or on the occasion of the annual festival of the Old Hamlet. The old linden, which will take you back to you, dates back to the th century.