Tours During Congress

Should your schedule allow, there are many sights to see in Lyon. A number of tours are on offer during and after the Congress.

or at the tour desk located in the registration area in the Congress venue.

1. A general trip around Lyon as part of Lyon's UNESCO World Heritage site – Evening tour

[Guided tour by bus with specialized Heritage Guide]

Date: Monday, 18 August 2014
Time: 18:30 - 21:30
Price per Person: Eur 32.00
Cut-off date: 2 days before the tour
Meeting point: Tourism board of Lyon – square Bellecour – Lyon 2
[25 persons minimum for registration]

The historical site of Lyon was selected by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The circuit is an invitation to explore 2000 years of the history of the city. From the Hill of Fourvière, down to old Lyon, across to the Presqu'île and up to the Croix Rousse hill – an ideal method of seeing Lyon's iconic buildings and discovering its history from Roman times through to the present day. The coach-trip includes several stops for walks, especially in Old Lyon to visit its narrow pedestrian streets and Renaissance buildings.

2. From Fourvière to Old Lyon

[Guided walking tour with specialized Heritage Guide]

Date: Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Price per Person: Eur 15.00
Cut-off date: 1 day before the tour
Meeting point: The Basilica of Fourvière – Fourvière place – Lyon 5

The esplanade of Fourvière offers a magnificent uninterrupted view of Lyon. The basilica of Notre-Dame, a fascinating building constructed at the end of the 19th century, is a real eye-catcher. Don't walk by without taking a look inside. The interior is just as remarkable as the outside.

Your walk then takes you down towards Old Lyon, either through the Rosaire gardens or via the Roman theatres. Do not forget that Lugdunum was founded on the hill of Fourvière in 43 BC. At the bottom of the hill, the Renaissance town stretches out along the banks of the river Saône. Walk through a few of the narrow streets and the squares and delve into the "traboules" to discover hidden courtyards, galleries and wells.

3. The Murals in the City Centre

[Guided tour by bus with specialized Heritage Guide]

Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Price per Person: Eur 32.00
Cut-off date: 2 days before the tour
Meeting point: Tourism Board of Lyon – square Bellecour – Lyon 2
[25 persons minimum for registration]

In Lyon, "trompe l'oeil" murals and wall-sized frescoes are essential reference points in the urban landscape! They tell the story of Lyon in different ways: from its great men from ancient times, to the present day, in the form of a giant library, or like a film decor presenting one of Old Lyon's finest hotels… The following can also be included in the tour: Tony Garnier Urban Museum and murals in Part-Dieu neighborhood.

4. A Walk through the history of the ancient libraries in Lyon

[Guided walking tour with specialized Heritage Guided]

Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Price per Person
: Eur 13.00
Cut-off date: 1 days before the tour
Meeting point: in front of Vieux Lyon métro station – Lyon 69005

A major center of printing in the Renaissance, Lyon has witnessed throughout the centuries the assembling of many collections which are now gathered at the Municipal Library at La Part-Dieu. A guided tour through the old neighbouroods of the city will evoke centuries of the history of the manuscript and printed book in Lyon, from the Merovingian period to modern times.

The municipal library of Lyon created this walking tour in 2009 for the Book History Institute workshop and has ever since presented it to small groups on different occasions. For the IFLA Conference, the Library has started a partnership with the Office of Tourism of Lyon in order to reach out to a bigger audience of book lovers

With the participation of the Museum of Printing of Lyon

5. A general trip around Lyon a part of UNESCO World Heritage – Evening tour

[Guided tour by bus with specialized Heritage Guide]

Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Price per Person: Eur 26.00
Cut-off date: 2 days before the tour
Meeting point: Tourism Board of Lyon – square Bellecour – Lyon 2
[25 persons minimum for registration]

The historical site of Lyon was selected by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. This tour is an invitation to explore 2000 years of the city's history and discover the beautiful city of lights in the evening. From the Hill of Fourvière, down to old Lyon, across to the Presqu'île – an ideal method of seeing Lyon's iconic buildings and discovering its history from Roman times through to the present day.

 (Basically the same itinerary as the first tour, but in two hours time - Croix Rousse hill not included.)

6. Lyon Confluence

[Guided walking tour with specialized Heritage Guide]

Date: Thursday, 21 August 2014
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Price per Person: Eur 15.00
Cut-off date: 1 day before the tour
Meeting point: Ice rink – 102 crs Charlemagne – Lyon 2

The Confluence district is a huge and vast project, a rarity in Europe, that aims to reintegrate a modern and eco-friendly environment in the heart of Lyon city center. Discover the great urban planning features of the confluence area as designed by great architects, whose goal was to bring some elements of nature into the city, with the Place Nautique and the Saône Park. This project has also seen the Port Rambaud docks being redesigned around contemporary culture, integrating the former railway station market.

7. Old Lyon Renaissance District and its "Traboules"

[Guided walking tour with specialized Heritage Guide]

Date: Thursday, 21 August 2014
Time: 13:00 - 15:00
Price per Person: Eur 11.00
Cut-off date: 1 day before the tour
Meeting Point: Tourism Board of Lyon - square Bellecour - Lyon 2

This unique area of Gothic and Renaissance architecture has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. It covers 24 hectares along the banks of the River Saône. Old Lyon's urban development mainly took place in the 15th and the 16th century. After visiting the gothic cathedral, wander through the narrow cobbled streets and "traboules". These famous covered passageways which lead from one street to the next via corridors through houses hide superbly renovated architectural treasures: inner courtyards, galleries "à l'italienne", spiral staircases etc.

8. Traboules of the Croix Rousse hill and the silk printing workshop

[Guided walking tour with specialized Heritage Guide]

Date: Thursday, 22 August 2014
Time: 14:30
Price per Person: Eur 13.00
Cut-off date: 1 day before
Meeting point: Place de la Croix-Rousse, exit metro station at Croix-Rousse (line C)

Enter the world of silk through the traboules (passageways) and discover the daily life of the silk workers of Lyon.

Lyon is the capital of silk weaving in France and Croix-Rousse is the district of the « canuts » or silk-workers. You will discover the Traboules (passageways) winding down the hill of the Croix-Rousse where 30.000 silk weavers used to live in the 19th century. Some of them have the strangest names, like the « Cour des Voraces », the voracious men's courtyard. Following the maze of alleyways and staircases, you will discover these secret passages and staircases which are full of history. At the silk printing workshop, printers will demonstrate Lyon's traditional know how.

This visit is a must for anyone wanting to know some of the traditions of Lyon.

Please note: all prices include VAT. Tours and prices are subject to change.

see also: Post Congress Tours

Last update: 10 June 2014