SARRIÀ-SANT GERVASI GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Lyon’s Confluence Up Close: A Guided Walk Through the City’s New Housing Projects
A guided architectural tour of Lyon’s most ambitious housing projects — led by the architect behind the Confluence’s first building — that reveals energy-positive buildings, prize-winning housing and large-scale urban planning.
Lyon’s Confluence Up Close: A Guided Walk Through the City’s New Housing Projects.
Explore Lyon’s rapid urban transformation with a guided tour that moves from the Confluence planning agency through landmark housing projects and energy‑positive buildings to recent renovation schemes; the itinerary is led by the architect selected to design the Confluence’s first building and by a guide who has won multiple national prizes, who will present plans and behind‑the‑scenes anecdotes.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Firsthand insights from a prize‑winning architect
Your guide was chosen to design the Confluence’s first building and has won multiple first‑prize national architecture and planning awards; expect expert analysis, original plans and 'making of' anecdotes from projects and collaborators.
Confluence towers, energy‑positive buildings and striking housing
Visits include the Confluence’s newest housing projects — towers by Jean Nouvel and by Herzog & de Meuron, three notable projects by Tatiana Bilbao and schemes by Diener & Diener — and the first European energy‑positive mixed housing and office buildings by Kengo Kuma at the Canal and Leisure Port.
From the Monolith to islands and renovation corridors
The route threads through the Monolith by MVRDV, ECDM and Manuelle Gautrand, across Lyon Islands with projects by Massimiliano Fuksas and Clément Vergely, and — if extended — follows tram corridors to major renovation projects around Pierre Mendès Square and Avenue Berthelot.
What the day feels like
How the day unfolds
The tour begins at the Confluence Planning Agency and proceeds on foot through newly completed housing projects and experimental mixed‑use buildings, pausing to examine plans and discuss the competitions and selection methods that shape Lyons' architecture; the standard program lasts several hours and can be extended to include tramway segments and renovation projects.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this tour
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Typical program length is 4–8 hours; an extended 8‑hour option includes tramway segments and additional site visits.
Meeting location is in Lyon and is to be confirmed during the booking process.
Operator recommendations for gear are provided at booking; confirm any specifics with Artchitectours.
The tour can be extended to 8 hours to include tramway visits to Pierre Mendès Square, Avenue Berthelot and other renovation projects; confirm timing and stops when booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The standard program lasts between 4 and 8 hours; the tour can be extended to an 8‑hour itinerary for additional visits.
Where is the meeting point?
The meeting location is in Lyon and will be confirmed during the booking process.
Who leads the tour?
The tour is led by an architect who was chosen to design the Confluence’s first building and who has designed multiple first‑prize national architectural and planning projects.
Which projects and architects will we see?
Highlights include towers by Jean Nouvel and Herzog & de Meuron, three projects by Tatiana Bilbao, Kengo Kuma’s energy‑positive housing/offices, the ‘Monolith’ by MVRDV and others, plus island developments by Massimiliano Fuksas, Clément Vergely and collaborators.
Does the tour include tram travel?
Yes — the extended itinerary uses the tramway to reach additional renovation and housing projects around Pierre Mendès Square and Avenue Berthelot.
Which operator runs the tour?
The tour is operated by Artchitectours.