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Overview
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.
Operated by
Trippy Tour Guide
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.5
/ 5
10 traveller ratings
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Could be better...wished it was...
lornab788, May 2026
I expected a lot of walking on this WWII tour and when I finished, I had walked six miles, some of it up a very long steep hill. I found the general info given interesting but each number (of which there are 39) only gives you around two minutes of info. To me, this just wasn't enough with the extensive walking between points. As I began the tour in the morning, the Prison museum wasn't open and did not open until the afternoon - 1400. Perhaps it would be beneficial to reverse the tour and finish at the prison when it opens in the afternoon. In addition, some of the information could do with updating. There were several places where the info said to look out for plaques that were no longer there, and especially the secret letterbox - the door entryway is encased in security fencing and gate, but on looking in there is no plaque indicating it. Really disappointing. I also advise jumping ahead on the info as some of the numbers say, 'keeping going and turn left' or 'right', even though you are following the map via GPS. Lastly, I feel the people on the tour would benefit from visual photos from archives to see the stopping points in the era or close to the era being described. As I did the tour on a hot, sunny bustling day in the city, I found it hard to fully imagine or relate to those dark moments. Altogether, this us a surface level tour about an incredibly important time in history. A lot more info could be shared and shown, as well as updated. I would only recommend it because there isn't another.
Lots of walking yet interesting.
Dariusz_G, May 2026
Great way to see Lyon. Lot’s of walking involved, though. If you are not ready for a 20km plus hike, this tour is probably not for you. But for us it worked really well. The narrative is a little repetitive, though.
Disappointed
Imelda_K, Mar 2026
There is a lot of walking and the audio stops often didn’t seem to have relevance to the surroundings and pointed out very few actual landmarks. The audio also got quite repetitious. Also for others, there is no need to start at number 1 to work your way through. You can start anywhere. Also the narrator pronounced Lyon as lion throughout and it really grated.
Great Resistance Tour
Colleen_M, Feb 2026
This was a great experience. Very thorough and detailed. You can do this at your own pace. So much great info about Lyon during WW2 and resistance activity. Covers all the key areas and you can listen while you walk to each landmark. Don’t miss the end in Croix-Rousse and the traboules.
Itinerary
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 minutesCentre D'histoire De La Resistance Et De La Deportation
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.
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 minutesPlace Carnot
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 minutesRue Victor Hugo
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 minutesPlace Bellecour
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 minutesLa Place des Jacobins
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 minutesSaint-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 minutesAdmission IncludedPlace des Terreaux
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 minutesLyon’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 minutesAt 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 minutesA 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 minutesFontaine Burdeau
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 minutesAmphitheater of the Three Gauls
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 minutesTraboule et Cour des Voraces
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
Experience
Inclusions
- Detailed directions to both well-known attractions and hidden spots
- Audio Guide
- 30+ narration points of popular locations in Lyon
- Access to Self Lyon WWII & Resistance Full-Day Walking Tour on "Trippy Tour Guide" App
- Fully offline map – no need for Wi-Fi or data.
Exclusions
- Meals
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Guide Languages
English
Spanish
German
French
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.