THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover Lyon’s historic old town on a private two-hour tour with New Generation Guide. Wander through medieval streets, secret traboules, and taste authentic local flavors on this unique urban adventure.
Discover Lyon’s historic old town on a private two-hour tour with New Generation Guide. Wander through medieval streets, secret traboules, and taste authentic local flavors on this unique urban adventure.
Book with New Generation Guide
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by New Generation Guide · Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Set in the heart of Lyon’s 5th arrondissement, Vieux Lyon is a rare vestige of Renaissance urban life, where stone and timber buildings line winding alleys that still echo with centuries of history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site invites visitors to step back in time, and New Generation Guide offers an immersive two-hour private tour that reveals its layers with unmatched intimacy. Meeting at 4 Av. du Doyenné, you embark on a journey through cobbled streets alive with texture and stories. The Gothic majesty of Saint-Jean Cathedral commands attention, its intricate façade and astronomical clock anchoring the neighborhood’s historical significance.
What sets this tour apart is the access to traboules—hidden passageways threading through ancient courtyards and buildings, many used by Resistance fighters during World War II to move undetected. These secret routes are a rare feature unique to Lyon, fostering a sense of discovery that blends architecture, history, and local lore.
Beyond architecture, the experience engages the senses with stops at authentic bouchons, where traditional Lyonnaise dishes bring the city’s culinary culture to life. You’ll also witness silk workshops, a nod to Lyon’s long-standing role in the silk industry dating back to the Renaissance, offering insight into artisanal craftsmanship that still thrives today.
New Generation Guide carves out a unique spot in Lyon’s adventure landscape by marrying urban exploration with cultural depth. This intimate tour is perfect for those who want to connect with Lyon’s authentic soul—beyond the typical sightseeing routes. By blending historical intrigue, architectural beauty, and local flavors, it provides a practical yet vividly engaging way to experience one of France’s most charming old towns.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; mostly walking on even but cobbled surfaces.
Yes, the tour includes several traboules, the secret passageways unique to Lyon, some of which were used during WWII.
The tour is family-friendly, but young children should be comfortable walking on cobblestones for two hours.
Yes, the tour features stops at local bouchons and includes opportunities to taste Lyonnaise specialties and pralines.
Yes, please inform New Generation Guide in advance to customize food stops for allergies or preferences.
Currently, tours are offered in English, but it’s best to check with New Generation Guide for other language options.
The tour begins at 4 Av. du Doyenné, 69005 Lyon, and typically ends back in Vieux Lyon near the starting point.
Vieux Lyon was a center of silk production during the Renaissance and its traboules served as secret routes for Resistance fighters during WWII.
Efforts to preserve the fragile Renaissance architecture and limit tourist impact help maintain the authenticity of Vieux Lyon’s historic fabric.
New Generation Guide is a Lyon-based tour operator offering guided experiences across Lyon and the surrounding Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The company presents a wide range of walking, cultural and culinary tours that highlight Lyon’s history, architecture and gastronomy. Featured on The Adventure Collective, New Generation Guide leads tours to landmark sites such as Vieux‑Lyon, Basilica Notre‑Dame de Fourvière (Lugdunum), the Presqu'île, Croix‑Rousse, and panoramic viewpoints. Popular experiences include multi-hour city tours (2–5 hours), silk heritage walks with Jacquard loom demonstrations, visits to Parc de la Tête d’Or, food-focused stops at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, and excursions to the medieval village of Pérouges. Guided itineraries also showcase Lyon’s street art with mural tours, the city’s silk history, and nearby wine regions with Beaujolais options. Trip formats listed include short 2–3 hour tours and longer 4–5 hour panoramic or culinary journeys. New Generation Guide emphasizes local knowledge, factual historical context, and on-the-ground logistics to help visitors navigate Lyon’s traboules, Roman sites, and markets. Tour descriptions note specific sites and experiences, such as tasting galette de Pérouges, sampling Cerdon wine, exploring Roman ruins at Lugdunum, and seeing live silk-weaving demonstrations. Booking information, availability, and detailed itineraries are provided through The Adventure Collective listing and direct contact with the guide team based in Lyon. Tours operate within Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Lyon.
Book with New Generation Guide