Lyon WWII and Resistance Tour with Audio Guide

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.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   10 min

   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.

2. 2

   Centre D'histoire De La Resistance Et De La Deportation

   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.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   10 min

   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.

4. 4

   Place Carnot

   15 min

   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.

5. 5

   Rue Victor Hugo

   10 min

   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.

6. 6

   Place Bellecour

   15 min

   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.

7. 7

   La Place des Jacobins

   15 min

   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.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   10 min

   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.

9. 9

   Place des Terreaux

   15 min

   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.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    10 min

    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.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    5 min

    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.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    5 min

    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.

13. 13

    Fontaine Burdeau

    15 min

    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.

14. 14

    Amphitheater of the Three Gauls

    15 min

    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. 15

    Traboule et Cour des Voraces

    15 min

    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.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.