Lyon Jewish Heritage and Old Town Private Tour｜France

The history of Jewish people in Lyon can be traced back to year 39, when it was still known as a Roman city of Lugdunum. This private tour offers a unique perspective on the city’s history and the enduring contributions of its Jewish community. Discover the traces of Jewish heritage in Lyon!

Book a 2-hour walking tour of Lyon’s Old Town and its Jewish sites. Begin your tour at Place des Terreaux and Hôtel de Ville, where you'll learn about the history of Jews during the French Revolution and the contributions of prominent Jewish figures to the city's political and social life. Hear fascinating stories about the Jewish people who lived at Rue Lanterne, and stroll through the historic Old Town (Vieux Lyon) to discover the remnants of the medieval Jewish quarter. One of the highlights is Rue Juiverie (""Jewish Street.""), where many Jewish families once lived and worked.

Stop by the Traboules, hidden passageways that were used by Resistance fighters during World War II, and learn about the oppression of Jewish people in France during the Nazi occupation. Pass the Cathedral of John the Baptist and hear historical facts about the expulsions and exoduses of Jews during the Middle Ages. Your walking tour will end in front of the Great Synagogue, built in 1864, but the guide will also tell you about other Jewish sites in Lyon, such as the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Jewish Community Center and the planned Holocaust memorial that will commemorate the city’s lost Jewish community.