Longue Traboule

You’re standing at the entrance to the Longue Traboule, at number 54 rue Saint-Jean. It is the longest traboule in Vieux-Lyon! Crossing five courtyards and four buildings, it links the two most important streets of the district, rue Saint-Jean and rue du Bœuf. Traboules are a distinctive feature of the city of Lyon, having been built to facilitate access to the water of the Saône and to reach it more quickly. The term “traboule” comes from the Latin “transambular”, meaning “to cross”. The first traboules were built in the 4th century, and new ones sprang up throughout the Middle Ages, but mainly during Renaissance, when Lyon’s population increased sharply. Indeed the traboules system allowed the construction of new buildings in the middle of existing ones, whilst saving space and avoiding long detours for the people. Approximately 200 can be found just in Vieux-Lyon, then in the 19th century, about a hundred were built in Croix-Rousse. More recently, during the Second World War, they helped to hide many members of the Resistance, as these invisible streets were only known to the locals. Go ahead and push the door open ! Discover this secret passageway steeped in history. Just be mindful to remain discreet here as many Lyonnais actually live here! Should you take this tour in the evening the Traboule door will be closed. After crossing this traboule, you will arrive into the rue du Bœuf, which runs parallel to the rue Saint-Jean.