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Location Icon Lyon

Lyon WWII Resistance Tour: Audio Guide & Historical Walk

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Overview

Highlights

Sentiment Analysis

Overview

Quotes Logo Explore Lyon's deep history with the Lyon WWII and Resistance Tour with Audio Guide. This walking tour takes you through the city's streets and squares, where stories of courage and resistance come to life. Lyon stands as a reminder of human strength, turning past struggles into hope. From hidden stairways like Cour des Voraces to tributes such as Le Veilleur de Pierre, Lyon shows the heroism within its urban landscape.

Walk along Rue Victor-Hugo and Place Bellecour, where everyday people became fighters. Visit the Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (CHRD Lyon) to hear the real stories of those who stood against Nazi occupation. Saint-Nizier Church and Hôtel de Ville show Lyon's strong spirit, while murals and historic sites turn the city into a story of the past. Key stops include 9 Cours Gambetta, Pont Gallieni, Monument aux Morts, Place Carnot, Place des Jacobins, Place des Terreaux, 12 Rue Sainte-Catherine, General Delestraint Arrest Site, Auguste Burdeau Fountain, and Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls.

This tour gives you detailed directions to famous and hidden places. It includes an audio guide with over 30 narration points of popular locations in Lyon, all accessible through the 'Trippy Tour Guide' app. You also get a fully offline map, so you don't need Wi-Fi or data. Please note that meals are not included. Quotes Logo

Highlights

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Discover Lyon's WWII History: Uncover stories of courage and resistance on this historical walking tour.

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Audio Guide Included: Listen to over 30 narration points at popular locations in Lyon using the 'Trippy Tour Guide' app.

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Explore at Your Own Pace: Enjoy the freedom of a self-guided tour and explore Lyon's historical sites independently.

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Offline Map Available: Navigate Lyon with ease using a fully offline map – no Wi-Fi needed!

Sentiment Analysis

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Customers generally had a positive experience, praising the tour's informative content and flexibility. Some suggest improvements in the clarity of directions and the depth of information at specific sites. Quotes Logo

  • Positive Highlight Icon Customers enjoyed learning about Lyon's history and found the audio guide informative.

    Positive Highlight Icon Many appreciated the flexibility of the self-guided tour and the ability to explore at their own pace.

    Positive Highlight Icon Visitors liked discovering hidden gems and lesser-known historical sites.

    Positive Highlight Icon The offline map was helpful and convenient for navigation.

  • Negative Highlight Icon Some users wished for more detailed information at certain locations.

    Negative Highlight Icon A few found it difficult to locate some of the points of interest.

The Journey

1

9 Cours Gambetta

Stand at 9 Cours Gambetta, where in 1944, six young Resistance leaders were arrested by the Gestapo. A somber reminder of youthful courage and sacrifice, this location commemorates their unwavering spirit in the face of Nazi oppression. While there is no specific memorial, the site itself serves as a powerful, if understated, tribute to their bravery and the devastating consequences of war, encouraging reflection on Lyon's pivotal role in the Resistance.

2

Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (CHRD)

Delve into Lyon's pivotal role in the French Resistance at the CHRD, ironically housed in the former Gestapo headquarters. This museum vividly preserves testimonies, artifacts, and stories of courage, defiance, and the relentless pursuit of justice during WWII. Explore exhibitions that bring to life the struggles and triumphs of the Resistance fighters, offering a deep and moving understanding of Lyon's wartime experience and its commitment to preserving the memory of those who fought for freedom.

3

Pont Gallieni

Walk across Pont Gallieni, spanning the Rhône River, and imagine the secret wartime crossings and Resistance efforts it silently witnessed. Once a vital lifeline for clandestine missions, this bridge now stands as a peaceful thread in Lyon's rich tapestry of history. Observe the tranquil flow of the river, contemplating the courage and resilience of those who risked everything to defy Nazi occupation, contributing to Lyon's legacy as a city of Resistance.

4

Monument aux Morts, Place Carnot

Visit Place Carnot's Monument aux Morts, a solemn tribute to Lyon's fallen heroes of both World Wars and the Resistance. This central site of remembrance is particularly poignant during Liberation Day and VE Day commemorations. Reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom, and feel the weight of history in this place of honor, a testament to Lyon's enduring commitment to remembering its past.

5

Rue Victor-Hugo

Stroll down Rue Victor-Hugo, now a lively shopping street, and envision its past as a vital artery for the Resistance. Imagine secret messages exchanged, whispered plans formulated, and the quiet courage that fueled the fight against Nazi occupation in the heart of Lyon. While enjoying the modern vibrancy of the street, take a moment to appreciate its historical significance as a silent witness to acts of defiance and determination.

6

Place Bellecour

Stand in Place Bellecour, Lyon's central square, and absorb its complex history as a key site of WWII occupation, arrests, and clandestine Resistance activity. Today, this bustling square stands as a vibrant tribute to the city's enduring fight for freedom. Experience the energy of modern Lyon while reflecting on the square's past as a silent witness to both oppression and the unwavering spirit of its people, a powerful symbol of resilience.

7

Place des Jacobins

Discover Place des Jacobins: once a clandestine Resistance hub, now a peaceful square honoring the secret wartime bravery, underground presses, and heroic acts of rescue and defiance that unfolded in Lyon's Ainay Quarter. Admire the architecture and tranquil ambiance while contemplating the square's hidden history as a center of resistance, a place where ordinary people performed extraordinary acts of courage in the face of adversity.

8

Saint-Nizier Church

Visit Saint-Nizier Church, a Gothic landmark in Lyon with deep roots in history and defiance. This resilient church sheltered relics, survived war, and even hosted a 1975 protest that echoed the spirit of Resistance. Explore its architectural grandeur and imagine the stories it holds within its walls, a testament to Lyon's enduring spirit and its ability to overcome challenges throughout the centuries.

9

Place des Terreaux

Experience Place des Terreaux, where beauty blends with history. Once a covert hub for Resistance fighters, this vibrant square now echoes Lyon's past of courage, secret presses, and silent defiance. Admire the Bartholdi Fountain and the surrounding architecture while envisioning the square's clandestine past, a powerful reminder of Lyon's unwavering commitment to freedom and its ability to transform adversity into beauty.

10

Lyon City Hall (Hôtel de Ville)

Admire Lyon's City Hall, a grand symbol of civic pride, which stood as a silent witness to WWII Resistance efforts and the city's liberation. This is a place where history, defiance, and celebration all converged. Appreciate the architectural splendor of the building and reflect on its role as a backdrop to Lyon's wartime experiences, a testament to the city's enduring spirit and its commitment to self-governance.

11

12 Rue Sainte-Catherine

Pause at 12 Rue Sainte-Catherine, where a plaque commemorates the 86 Jews arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. This haunting site marks one of Lyon's darkest Holocaust tragedies, a memory that is never forgotten, never erased. Pay your respects and reflect on the devastating impact of the Holocaust on Lyon's Jewish community, a solemn reminder of the importance of remembrance and vigilance against prejudice and hatred.

12

General Delestraint Arrest Site

Discover the hidden Resistance letterbox, a location of General Delestraint's arrest in 1943, marking a turning point in Lyon's fight against Nazi occupation. These quiet walls echo with the whispers of courage and betrayal. The exact location is often unmarked, adding to the poignant sense of history lingering in this otherwise unassuming area, urging reflection on the complexities and sacrifices of the Resistance movement.

13

Auguste Burdeau Fountain

Find the 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. Observe the fountain's subtle imperfections, a testament to the city's ability to endure and rebuild, and contemplate the meaning of memory and resilience in the face of adversity. The missing statue serves as a poignant reminder of the losses suffered during the war.

14

Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls

Visit the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls, echoing ancient Rome, Christian martyrdom, and Lyon’s spirit of resistance. It stands as a timeless witness to faith, courage, and defiance. Explore the ruins of this ancient amphitheater and imagine the historical events that unfolded within its walls, connecting Lyon's ancient past with its more recent history of resistance and resilience, a powerful symbol of the city's enduring spirit.

15

Cour des Voraces

Explore Cour des Voraces, 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. Discover the architectural ingenuity of the traboules and imagine the secret passages used by both silk workers and Resistance fighters, a testament to Lyon's history of social unrest and its unwavering commitment to freedom and resistance.

Know Before You Go

This tour includes detailed directions to well-known attractions and hidden spots, an audio guide, over 30 narration points of popular locations in Lyon, and access to a self-guided Lyon WWII & Resistance Full-Day Walking Tour on the 'Trippy Tour Guide' App. A fully offline map is provided, so no Wi-Fi or data is needed. Please note that meals are not included.

Hot Tip

Visitors suggest downloading the audio guide and offline map before starting the tour to ensure a smooth experience. Also, wear comfortable shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking!

From $13 Price

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As a Viator affiliate partner, we may earn a commission on purchases made through our platform.