Old Lyons: Lyon

Vieux Lyon is without doubt the most famous and most visited area of the town, honored in 1998 with classification as a world heritage centre by UNESCO. In addition to the Palais Episcopal Saint-Jean and the Cathédrale Saint Jean, visitors will find many townhouses which date from the middle ages and the Renaissance: the Maison du Soleil (Saint Georges quarter), the Tour Rose, the Auberge du Gouvernement, the Maison Thomassin, the Hôtel Laurencin, the Maison des Avocats, the famous Cour des Loges hotel, the Maison du Chamarier (Saint Jean quarter), and the Hôtel Paterin. From the Middle Ages the area was reserved for trade and fairs, as shown by the Loge du Change, which was once a bank and then became a Protestant place of worship. Fans of architecture will be delighted to pace the cobblestone alleyways and the traboules—these famous passages link alleyways together and through them you can explore the interior courtyards of the townhouses. Those fond of archeology will be interested in the remains of the primitive cathedral (fourth-eighth centuries) in the Jardin archéologique situated at the north side of the present day sanctuary. Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon) has an undeniable charm, with its boutiques, its bouchons (restaurants which specialize in the cuisine of Lyon), and the colors of the city which are reminiscent of Italy. © WCities