Vieux Lyon, Renaissance district in Lyon, France
Vieux Lyon is a Renaissance neighborhood nestled between Fourvière hill and the Saône river, featuring Italian-style arcades, narrow stone streets, and hidden passageways. The area preserves original cobbled paths and period facades, while covered passages called traboules cut through the tightly packed blocks.
The neighborhood took shape during the Renaissance when wealthy merchants built homes with open arcades and interior courtyards. It became France's first protected cultural site under the Malraux law in 1964, and gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1998.
The district's three sections take their names from churches that have anchored the neighborhood for centuries. These buildings still guide the way locals and visitors move through the winding streets, serving as natural gathering points throughout the area.
The neighborhood is best explored on foot, as steep stairs and narrow streets make it unsuitable for vehicles. The traboules offer helpful shortcuts and shade during warm weather, and many pass between major squares and attractions.
The Museum of Miniatures and Film Sets occupies a 15th-century building that once served as an inn. This unusual use helps preserve a historic structure that might otherwise struggle to survive.
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