Itinerarly
Itinerarly › City guides › Lyon › Lyon Classics
Lyon Classics: free self-guided audio tour of Lyon
Lyon Classics is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Lyon, France: 5 stops in about 1 h 40. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 5 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 1 h 40, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | about 1.9 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Fourvière Basilica |
| Finish | Lyon Opera House |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
Fourvière, Vieux Lyon & Terreaux
The stops, in order
- 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. Its imposing exterior with four crenelated towers contrasts with the opulence of its interior covered in dazzling gold mosaics.
- 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 poetry. This complex bears witness to Lyon's prestige as the capital of the Gauls under the Roman Empire.
- 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 weather. The district is famous for its magnificent inner courtyards, Italian-style galleries, and renowned 'bouchons', traditional Lyon…
- 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. This impressive work represents France guiding a chariot pulled by four spirited horses symbolizing major French rivers.
- 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. The most striking element is the semi-cylindrical black glass roof crowning the building, significantly increasing its volume.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Lyon, then Lyon Classics.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Fourvière Basilica and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Lyon
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Lyon Classics tour in Lyon free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Lyon in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Lyon Classics tour take?
- About 1 h 40 for 5 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Lyon Classics tour start and finish?
- It starts at Fourvière Basilica and finishes at Lyon Opera House.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.