Lyon is often overshadowed by Paris and the Riviera, but it might be France’s most complete city.
In this episode of The Audio Travel Guide, we explore Lyon from its Roman origins (Lugdunum in 43 BC) to its silk-weaving revolts, its secret resistance passageways, and its global reputation as the capital of gastronomy.
This isn’t just a highlights list — we break down how Lyon actually works: its two rivers, its two hills, its UNESCO continuity, and how to navigate it like a local.
You’ll learn:
• Why Lyon feels different from Paris (and why it was never “flattened” like the capital)
• The geography: Rhône, Saône, and the Presqu’île peninsula
• The two hills: Fourvière (“the hill that prays”) and Croix-Rousse (“the hill that works”)
• Traboules explained — secret passageways used by silk workers and the French Resistance
• Roman ruins at Fourvière + panoramic views (and even Mont Blanc on clear days)
• Trompe-l’œil murals (including the Mur des Canuts)
• The Lumière brothers and the birth of cinema in 1895
• What a real bouchon is — and how to spot an authentic one
• Local dishes: quenelle de brochet, andouillette, cervelle de canut, tarte à la praline
• Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (the city’s culinary temple)
• How to order wine “à pot” like a local
• Getting around: metro, funiculars (the “ficelles”), and Vélov bike system
• Safety basics + Lyon City Card tip
⏱ Chapters
00:00 Why Lyon Is Different
00:19 France’s Third City + Strategic Location
00:29 2,000 Years of Layered History
01:05 The Two Rivers (Rhône & Saône)
01:23 UNESCO Continuity (No Haussmann Reset)
02:14 Lyon’s Night Lighting Plan
02:39 Roman Origins (Lugdunum, 43 BC)
03:14 The Two Hills Explained
03:18 Fourvière – The Hill That Prays
03:39 Croix-Rousse – The Hill That Works (Silk Industry)
04:24 Presqu’île – The City’s Heart
04:37 Vieux Lyon (Saved from Demolition)
05:04 Confluence – Modern Lyon
05:11 Traboules Explained (Silk + Resistance)
06:39 Fourvière Basilica + Viewpoint
07:02 Roman Theaters + Festival
07:16 Trompe-l’œil Murals (Mur des Canuts)
07:40 Birth of Cinema (Lumière Institute)
07:55 Lyon as Gastronomy Capital
08:05 What Is a Bouchon?
08:40 Classic Dishes Explained
09:35 Paul Bocuse + Les Halles
09:54 Ordering Wine “à pot”
10:05 Transport: Metro + Funiculars
10:25 Biking Along the Rivers
10:35 Safety + Pickpockets
10:47 Lyon City Card Tip
11:00 Final Takeaway