The amazing tour in the traboules of Lyon

It is in Vieux Lyon, this twenty four hectares district, which was the first area of France to be protected, and from now on classified with the World Heritage of UNESCO, that the tour of the traboules is the most astounding.

Between the Place Saint Paul and the square of the cathedral Saint Jean, one follows the small tortuous and paved streets, and one slips from time to time into a passageway which joins up one or more streets between them. They are the traboules.

The expression comes from Latin «trans ambulare», which means «going through». Typically from Lyon, the traboules gave to inhabitants the opportunity to shorten their trips between the blocks of buildings, but they were also used by the Canuts, to invest the town during their great revolt in 1831 and by the members of the Résistance during the Second World War.

They are a strong part of the city and its history. One counts two hundred and thirty of them, in Vieux Lyon Renaissance, at La Croix-Rousse, but also, in the whole Lyon peninsula, between the Place des Terreaux and the district of Ainay, while passing by Place Bellecour. Thus, when one follows the passage which connects Mercière Street to the Quai Saint-Antoine along the "bouchons" and restaurants of the district, one "traboules" quite simply.

In Saint Jean quarter, you will linger between 27, rue Saint Jean and 6, rue des Trois Maries, in the two courtyards with a gallery dating from the 16^th century. Between 54, rue Saint Jean and 27, rue du Bœuf, the longest traboule of the quarter, crosses four courtyards and four buildings and between 2, Place du Gouvernement and 10, quai Romain Rolland, the traboule which leads to the high courtyard crosses some elements of gothic décor.

Other wonders await the walker, it is necessary to know however that many traboules are closed to the public because they are private passages in the buildings. It is sometimes enough to simply open the electric door while pressing just on a button and one can then walk and admire, on the understanding, of course, that one is discreet.