Lyon tours

Things to do in Lyon

Lyon offers a dance of flavours and sights, where the aroma of praline tarts mingles with fresh espresso in lively squares. Your guide transforms Lyon tours into something beyond the ordinary, revealing the intricate layers of this culinary capital. Picture wandering through traboules, those secret passageways filled with history, or enjoying a wine tour that connects you with the city's vibrant culture. Private tours in Lyon ensure you delve into the city's rich past and dynamic present, so you experience Lyon in every moment. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Lyon. Explore Lyon your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Lyon tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Lyon for every interest, including: History tours: Trace the silk workers’ story in Croix-Rousse, slip through hidden traboules in Vieux Lyon, and stand by the Roman theatres below Fourvière Basilica. Visit the Centre for the History of the Resistance and Deportation to hear wartime stories tied to specific streets. Food and Drink tours: Snack your way through Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, tasting praline brioche, Saint-Marcellin cheese, and quenelles fresh from a bouchon-style stall. Pair a plate of cervelle de canut with pours of Beaujolais or Côte-Rôtie at a neighbourhood wine bar your guide knows well. Architecture tours: Compare Renaissance townhouses and courtyards in Vieux Lyon with the canut buildings of Croix-Rousse built for tall looms. Then see contemporary shapes at the Musée des Confluences and the eco-district at La Confluence on tours that link styles block by block. Getting around is easy: the centre is walkable, and the metro, trams, buses, and funiculars connect major sights efficiently. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Lyon inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Why not indulge in a private walking tour of Lyon, guided by a local who can lead you through the city's charming neighborhoods? This is an excellent way to truly appreciate the essence of Lyon. - Vieux Lyon: As one of the largest Renaissance districts in Europe, this area is perfect for history buffs and those interested in architecture. Its narrow cobblestone streets and traboules (hidden passageways) invite exploration. - Presqu'île: The city's vibrant shopping and dining district is ideal for families and groups looking to enjoy Lyon's famous cuisine and unique boutiques. It's also home to beautiful squares and fountains. - Croix-Rousse: Known for its silk-weaving history, this neighborhood is rich with artisan workshops and street art, catering to cultural tourists and those interested in the arts. - Confluence: A modern area with sleek architecture and a focus on sustainability, this neighborhood appeals to those interested in urban development and innovation, with plenty of parks and riverside walks. Day trip ideas from Lyon Base yourself in Lyon, then head out to medieval lanes, vineyard hills, Roman sites, and lake towns on easy day trips, with trains and short drives making it simple to pair sights and tastings or join short local tours on the spot. - Pérouges: A walled hilltop village of stone lanes and workshops where a galette au sucre break fits between photo stops; history fans and casual strollers get a clear, compact route with views back over the plain. - Beaujolais wine country: Golden‑stone villages like Oingt, vineyard roads, and cellar doors set a slow pace; if you enjoy scenic drives, light reds, and farm lunches, this rolling countryside lines up stops without long distances. - Vienne: Roman ruins, a cathedral by the river, and quiet streets make an easy circuit from the station; archaeology and history buffs can tie together the theatre, temple, and museum in a single, unhurried day. - Annecy: Canals, a clear lake, and mountain backdrops give you a mix of waterside walks, boat time, and market browsing; outdoor‑minded visitors who like gentle activity and old‑town cafés get plenty to do without planning overload. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Lyon most travellers miss.