Blind Box Adventure in Vieux Lyon

As an international student who’s lived in Lyon for over two years, exploring the city’s traboules for the first time felt like stepping into a whole new world—each turn a delightful surprise waiting to unfold. 🏘️ Traboules are Lyon’s unique covered passageways, a network of over 500 hidden alleys with only around 80 open to the public. Most are tucked away in Vieux Lyon (Old Town) and the Croix-Rousse neighborhood (4th arrondissement). Dating back to the Renaissance, these historic corridors wind through centuries-old buildings, linking courtyards, staircases, and hidden squares. Behind every door lies a secret: a sun-dappled courtyard with potted geraniums, a weathered stone archway, or a glimpse of vintage balconies draped in ivy. Each traboule tells a story of Lyon’s past, once used by silk merchants to transport goods out of the rain, and now offering a peek into the city’s intimate, off-the-beaten-path soul.🤣 💕 Below are the traboules we explored in Vieux Lyon, following the official guide. The ones marked with ❌ were either locked or tricky to find—we’ll definitely try again next time! We started south of the metro station and wandered north: 📍 10 ➡️ 12 rue St Georges This short but charming traboule opens into a small courtyard with cobblestones and wooden shutters, where the light filters through tall windows, casting a warm glow on the aged brick walls. It’s easy to miss from the street, but once inside, it feels like stepping back in time.😘 ❌ La Maison du Chamarier : 37 rue Saint-Jean We lingered outside this one, trying every handle, but it stayed firmly locked. From what we’d read, it’s known for its intricate ironwork and a courtyard lined with 17th-century stone benches—next time, we’ll check if it’s open during guided tour hours!👌 ❌ La Maison des Avocats : rue de la Bombarde Hidden between two bustling cafés, this traboule’s entrance is a plain wooden door that blends into the street. We searched high and low but couldn’t spot it—proof that part of the fun is the hunt itself! 📍 La Longue Traboule : 54 rue Saint-Jean True to its name, this is one of Lyon’s longest traboules, stretching through multiple courtyards and under archways. The highlight? A surprise garden halfway through, where locals tend to flowers and a small fountain gurgles softly. It’s a peaceful escape from the busy streets outside.😂 ❌ La cour du 21 rue du Bœuf Rumor has it this courtyard is draped in climbing roses in spring, but we couldn’t get the door to budge. The street itself, Rue du Bœuf, is worth a stroll though—lined with cozy bouchons (traditional Lyonnais eateries) where the scent of garlic and wine drifts out.🤣 📍 40 rue Saint-Jean ➡️ 5 place Neuve Saint-Jean This traboule feels like a hidden shortcut through history: start on a narrow street, pass through a vaulted stone passage, and emerge into a sunlit square with a tiny bookstore and a café. We paused here to sip coffee, watching locals carry groceries through the passage—proof that traboules are still part of daily life. 📍 27 rue Saint-Jean ➡️ 6 rue des Trois-Maries A quirky, winding traboule with mismatched doors and a staircase that creaks underfoot. At one point, we peeked through a gap in a door and saw a cat sunning itself on a windowsill—pure Lyon charm.😍 📍 2 place du Gouvernement Tucked behind a grand 18th-century building, this traboule opens into a courtyard with a stunning fountain and ivy-cloaked walls. It’s a popular spot for locals to pause and chat, and we even spotted an artist sketching the scene. 📍 8 rue Juiverie Our final find: a small but magical traboule with stained-glass windows and a mosaic-tiled floor. It leads to a quiet alley where an old bakery sells warm croissants—we couldn’t resist grabbing one to enjoy as we wandered back to the metro.😂 Exploring traboules is like playing a real-life treasure hunt. Some doors stay locked, some lead to quiet courtyards, and others open onto bustling squares—but that’s the joy of it: you never know what you’ll find. Next time, we’re bringing a map, a snack, and plenty of curiosity to unlock more of Lyon’s hidden secrets.😍 #France #Lyon #FrenchLife #MyBlindBoxAdventures #StudyAbroadStories #NationalDayGetaway #HolidaysExplored