If you're arriving at Perrache train station than I recommend this walk as a good introduction to Lyon: walk across Place Carnot (beware of drug users, prostitutes and pickpockets who plague this square from 9pm onwards), follow Rue Victor Hugo to its end stopping to look at the top name boutiques and shops.

At the end of Rue Victor Hugo is Place Bellecour. From Place Bellecour turn left to cross the Saone river and enter the Fourvière district via the Pont Bonaparte. Go straight across Quai Fulchiron and enter Place St Jean and explore old Lyon at your own pace.

Walk out of Perrache train station and keep going straight

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'Le Crayon' is the Lyonnais nickname for the Crédit Lyonnais skyscraper which is visible from everywhere in Lyon and is the tallest skyscraper outside of Paris. For us Brits it rather resembles Canary Wharf.

Next to the Part Dieu metro station - it can also be seen from Part Dieu train station

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The views from the terrace of Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourvière are amazing with clear sights of Cathédrale St Jean, Place Bellecour, the 'Crayon' skyscraper, and the control tower of St Exupéry airport. Only from this place can you appreciate the immense size of Lyon.

It's also a great starting point for a walking tour of Fourvière.

Just follow signs for Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourvière from Place Bellecour or take the funicilar from Vieux Lyon métro station

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The ruins of the Roman amphitheatre and Lugnudum are worth a look as it's one of the most intact amphitheatres in France and offers superb views over Lyon.

Feel free to put on a play as we did! Free entry.

The Roman amphitheatre is a 20 min walk up the hill from Cathédrale St Jean and a 10 min walk from the funicular station at Minimes

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Place Bellecour is the beating heart of Lyon and is the largest square in Europe not to be dominiated by trees in its centre. In May it hosts pétanque competitions and rock concerts.

Place Bellecour is a 20 min walk from Perrache train station

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Fourvière hill is where the Romans set up Lugnudum (their name for Lyon) and contains the treasures of Cathédrale St Jean, Basillique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Place St Jean, Rue St Jean and a Roman amphitheatre.

Just take the funicular from the bottom of Fourvière hill up to Basillique Notre or walk up from Cathédrale St Jean and lose yourself in the alleyways and squares of old Lyon.

Fourvière hill lies on the left bank of the Saone river opposite Presqu'ile. From Place Bellecour just follow the signs for Fourvière.

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The cathédrale St Jean towers over the Saone river and can be seen from most places in the city. It dominates the old city of Lyon and has a delicious interior which is vast.

Tall columns support richly painted ceilings and beautifully crafted stained glass windows. Don't miss the famous astronomical clock and a copy of the Black Madonna in Częstochowa in Poland.

Free entry

Place St Jean

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