Vieux Lyon, the historic heart of France's third-largest city, Lyon, is easily accessible by various means of transport. Whether you prefer public transportation, driving, or even biking, here's how you can reach this picturesque area of Lyon:
Metro: Vieux Lyon is served by the D line of the Lyon Metro. The stop you're looking for is 'Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean'. This line crosses the city from east to west and connects with other lines at various points, making it a convenient option from almost anywhere in Lyon.
Bus: Several buses also run through the city and stop near Vieux Lyon. Check the TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) website for the most appropriate route for you, taking into consideration the nearest stops: Saint-Paul, Saint-Jean, or the Musée Gadagne.
Funicular: You can also take one of two funicular railways from the Vieux Lyon station. One leads to Fourvière, the site of the iconic Basilica and one of the best views in Lyon. The other goes to Saint-Just, which is a short walk from the ancient Roman theatres.
While driving into the city, you can use major motorways like the A6 (coming from Paris), A7 (from Marseille), A42 (from Geneva), or A43 (from Grenoble). Parking in Vieux Lyon is more challenging due to its narrow streets. Public parking lots such as Parking Saint-Jean or Parking Saint-Georges are nearby. Be aware that Vieux Lyon is partially a pedestrian zone, so access by car can be limited and parking can be expensive.
Lyon has a well-developed bike rental system called Vélo'v. You can pick up a bike from numerous stations around the city and drop it off at a station near Vieux Lyon. It's an eco-friendly and pleasant way to see the city, especially during good weather.
Walking to Vieux Lyon from the city center is quite easy and enjoyable. It's a short walk across the Saône River from places like Place Bellecour or the commercial shopping streets in the Presqu'île area.
If you're arriving in Lyon by train at Lyon Perrache or Lyon Part-Dieu stations, you can easily take the metro or a taxi to Vieux Lyon. The metro journey from these train stations to Vieux Lyon takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Enjoy your visit to this entrancing and historically rich district of Lyon!