Share this tour
Offered languages
- German
- German
- English
- English
- French
- French
- Spanish
- Spanish
Explore Lyon's profound World War II narrative, where every street and square whispers stories of courage and resistance. The city stands as a living monument to human dignity, transforming historical trauma into a powerful testament of hope. From the secret stairways of Cour des Voraces to the silent tributes like Le Veilleur de Pierre, Lyon reveals layers of heroism hidden within its urban landscape.
Walk Rue Victor-Hugo and Place Bellecour, where ordinary citizens became extraordinary resistance fighters. Visit the CHRD Lyon to delve into the raw, unfiltered stories of those who defied Nazi occupation. Saint-Nizier Church and Hôtel de Ville bear witness to Lyon's unbreakable spirit, while murals and historic sites transform urban spaces into powerful historical narratives.
Each location is a chapter in a remarkable story of human resilience where art, heritage, and imagination intersect to honor those who fought for freedom against overwhelming odds.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The Tour starts at outside Montluc Prison Memorial Before starting, make sure to check your email for instructions to access and download the tour within app.
The Tour ends at Croix-Paquet which is the Last Stop
Itinerary
-
1
At 9 Cours Gambetta, six young Resistance leaders were arrested by the Gestapo in 1944. Their courage ended in execution, but their legacy lives on as symbols of youthful defiance and sacrifice.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The CHRD honors Lyon’s role in the Resistance, housed in the former Gestapo HQ. It preserves testimonies, artifacts, and stories of courage, defiance, and the fight for justice during WWII.
Admission ticket free -
2
Pont Gallieni spans the Rhône, a silent witness to wartime crossings and Resistance efforts. Once a lifeline for secret missions, it now flows peacefully through Lyon’s living history.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Place Carnot’s Monument aux Morts honors Lyon’s fallen heroes of both World Wars and the Resistance. A site of remembrance, it’s central to Liberation Day and VE Day commemorations.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Rue Victor-Hugo, now a lively shopping street, was once a vital artery for the Resistance where secret messages, whispered plans, and quiet courage helped fight Nazi occupation in the heart of Lyon.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Place Bellecour, Lyon’s central square, was once a key site of WWII occupation, arrests, and secret Resistance activity. Today, it stands as a vibrant tribute to the city’s enduring fight for freedom.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Place des Jacobins: once a Resistance hub, now a peaceful square honoring secret wartime bravery, underground presses, and heroic acts of rescue and defiance in Lyon’s Ainay Quarter.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
Saint-Nizier Church, a Gothic landmark in Lyon, holds deep roots in history and defiance sheltering relics, surviving war, and even hosting a 1975 protest that echoed the spirit of Resistance.
10 minutes • Admission ticket included -
8
Place des Terreaux blends beauty with history, once a covert hub for Resistance fighters, now a vibrant square echoing Lyon’s past of courage, secret presses, and silent defiance.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
Lyon’s City Hall, a grand symbol of civic pride, became a silent witness to WWII Resistance efforts and the city’s liberation. A place where history, defiance, and celebration all met.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
10
At 12 Rue Sainte-Catherine, a plaque honors 86 Jews arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. This haunting site marks one of Lyon’s darkest Holocaust tragedies never forgotten, never erased.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11
A hidden Resistance letterbox where General Delestraint was arrested in 1943, marking a turning point in Lyon's fight against Nazi occupation. Quiet walls with echoes of courage and betrayal.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12
A quiet fountain with wartime scars, honoring Auguste Burdeau and Lyon’s resilience, where even a missing statue tells a story of memory, loss, and the city’s enduring spirit.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
13
The Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls echoes ancient Rome, Christian martyrdom, and Lyon’s spirit of resistance, standing as a timeless witness to faith, courage, and defiance.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
14
Cour des Voraces is a powerful symbol of Lyon’s spirit, from silk worker revolts to WWII Resistance. Its stairway and traboule served as escape routes and secret strongholds.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Top Searches
Company
Get our app
