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Free audio walking tours of Lyon
Itinerarly has 3 self-guided audio tours of Lyon, France, from 1 h to 2 h 20. Each one walks you between the stops in order and plays a short narrated story when you arrive. The narration is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, and the tours are free.
Lyon Express
Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon
- Place BellecourYou are in Place Bellecour, the beating heart of Lyon and the largest pedestrian square in Europe. At its center stands the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, an iconic meeting point for the people of Lyon.
- Vieux Lyon & TraboulesWelcome to Vieux Lyon, one of Europe's largest Renaissance complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you stroll through its cobblestone streets, you will discover the famous traboules—secret passages through buildings that once allowed canuts, the silk workers, to transport their bundles protected from the…
- Saône QuaysStroll along the Saône quays, one of Lyon's most romantic walking spots. Here, the Saint-Georges district offers a postcard setting with its ochre, yellow, and red buildings reflecting in the river.
Lyon Classics
Fourvière, Vieux Lyon & Terreaux
- Fourvière BasilicaOverlooking the city from the 'praying hill', the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica is Lyon's spiritual symbol. Built between 1872 and 1884, it features an eclectic architecture blending Byzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque styles, designed by Pierre Bossan.
- Roman TheatersYou are at the Roman Theaters, one of the most important archaeological sites in Lyon, the ancient Lugdunum. Set against the Fourvière hill, these remains include the Grand Theater, built under Augustus and expanded under Hadrian to hold up to 10,000 spectators, as well as the smaller Odéon, dedicated to music and…
- Vieux Lyon & TraboulesWelcome to Vieux Lyon, one of Europe's largest Renaissance complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you stroll through its cobblestone streets, you will discover the famous traboules—secret passages through buildings that once allowed canuts, the silk workers, to transport their bundles protected from the…
- Place des TerreauxPlace des Terreaux is the institutional and artistic heart of Lyon, surrounded by prestigious buildings such as City Hall and the Palais Saint-Pierre. At its center, you cannot miss the monumental fountain by Bartholdi, the creator of the Statue of Liberty.
- Lyon Opera HouseThe Lyon Opera House is a feat of contemporary architecture integrated into a historical setting. While the facade and foyer date from the 19th century, the interior was completely redesigned in 1993 by architect Jean Nouvel.
Complete Lyon
Viewpoints, squares and parks
- Fourvière BasilicaOverlooking the city from the 'praying hill', the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica is Lyon's spiritual symbol. Built between 1872 and 1884, it features an eclectic architecture blending Byzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque styles, designed by Pierre Bossan.
- Amphitheater of the Three GaulsLocated on the slopes of Croix-Rousse, the Amphitheater of the Three Gauls is a site steeped in political and religious history. Built in 19 AD, it was the federal center of the Imperial cult where representatives of the sixty Gallic nations gathered each year to demonstrate their loyalty to Rome.
- Fresco of the LyonnaisYou are standing before the Fresco of the Lyonnais, the most famous of Lyon's painted walls. This masterful 800-square-meter trompe-l'œil, created by the CitéCréation association, features thirty historical and contemporary Lyon personalities who seem to be looking at us from their balconies.
- Place des TerreauxPlace des Terreaux is the institutional and artistic heart of Lyon, surrounded by prestigious buildings such as City Hall and the Palais Saint-Pierre. At its center, you cannot miss the monumental fountain by Bartholdi, the creator of the Statue of Liberty.
- Parc de la Tête d'OrParc de la Tête d'Or is Lyon's true green lung, stretching over 117 hectares in the heart of the city. Opened in 1857, this English-style landscaped park is one of France's most beautiful urban parks.
- Rhône BanksThe Rhône Banks have become, after a spectacular urban redevelopment, the favorite outdoor living space for Lyon's residents. Stretching for 5 kilometers from Parc de la Tête d'Or to Parc de Gerland, these shores offer a space of freedom for pedestrians, cyclists, and rollerbladers.
- Confluences MuseumAt the meeting point of the Rhône and the Saône stands the Confluences Museum, a bold deconstructivist architecture of glass and steel nicknamed 'the Cloud'. Designed by the Coop Himmelb(l)au firm, this futuristic building looks ready to take flight.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a free audio walking tour of Lyon?
- Yes. The Itinerarly app has 3 free self-guided audio tours of Lyon: Lyon Express (3 stops, about 1 h); Lyon Classics (5 stops, about 1 h 40); Complete Lyon (7 stops, about 2 h 20). The narration is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
- Which sights do the Lyon audio tours visit?
- Stops include Place Bellecour, Vieux Lyon & Traboules, Saône Quays, Fourvière Basilica, Roman Theaters, Place des Terreaux, Lyon Opera House, Amphitheater of the Three Gauls, Fresco of the Lyonnais, Parc de la Tête d'Or.
- How long does a walking tour of Lyon take?
- The Lyon tours take from 1 h to 2 h 20, including time at each stop. Pick the shortest one if you only have an hour.
- Do I need to pay or book?
- No. The tours are free and you start them whenever you want. Some monuments charge their own entry ticket; the app links to the official ticket page where there is one.
- Does it work offline?
- You need a connection for the map and directions. A stop you have already downloaded can be replayed without a connection.
- What do I need?
- The free Itinerarly app on iPhone (App Store) or Android (Google Play), and a free account.
- Can Itinerarly plan the rest of my day in Lyon?
- Yes. In Plan mode you add the places you want to see and Itinerarly puts them in the best order, with travel times that account for live traffic.
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