Segway Tour by ComhiC – The Highlights – 1h30

Lyon is made for a tour that links its old quarters, broad squares, riverfront, and grand monuments without asking you to march across town. This 90-minute Segway route gives you a quick, lively introduction, with training first and stops at Vieux Lyon, Place Bellecour, Grand Hôtel-Dieu, the Rhône riverbanks, and Place des Terreaux.

I like the small maximum of 10 people, which gives the guide room to answer questions and manage the group. I also like the practical touch of luggage storage at the agency, especially if you are visiting Lyon between trains. The main drawback is simple: 90 minutes goes quickly, and the tour gives you an overview rather than a long visit inside any monument.

Key points at a glance

• A 15-minute practice session comes first, so you are not sent into city traffic cold.
• The route covers several sides of Lyon, from medieval Vieux Lyon to the Rhône riverbanks and Place des Terreaux.
• Cécile and Mathieu are among the named guides, with a friendly, informative approach and strong language skills.
• The Rhône banks provide the riding stretch, where you can enjoy the Segway itself rather than stopping at every turn.
• Luggage storage is available at the agency, a useful bonus for day-trippers and people changing hotels.
• The tour is limited to 10 people, but it is not suitable for pregnant participants or anyone under 14 or under 45 kilos.

Starting beside the Saône with a short Segway lesson

You meet at 7 Quai Romain Rolland in Lyon’s 5th arrondissement, beside the Saône and close to Vieux Lyon. The activity ends back at this same point, so you do not need to work out a second pickup location or collect belongings across town.

The first 15 minutes are devoted to instruction. You receive a helmet and hairnet, then learn how to control the Segway before setting off. This matters because a Segway can feel strange at first. One person described needing a little time before the controls became automatic, while another felt comfortable within about five minutes.

I would treat the training as essential, not as a formality. Ask for extra practice if you need it. One group experienced minor collisions soon after beginning, and the guide handled the situation calmly, but the incident also shows why you should not rush the lesson. Keep your eyes up, leave space around other riders, and listen closely before entering busy public areas.

The group size is capped at 10, which is a sensible number for a moving city tour. It is large enough to keep the price reasonable, yet small enough for the guide to keep an eye on the group. The guide may conduct the tour in English and French at the same time. English is listed as an available language. Mathieu, one of the named guides, has also led a Spanish-language tour for a group, but you should confirm your language needs when booking.

Vieux Lyon brings the first real sense of place

Once you are comfortable, the tour begins in Vieux Lyon. This is the part of the route where Lyon’s older character comes into focus. You stop near the historic courthouse and St. John’s Cathedral while the guide explains the old town and points out the setting around these landmarks.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough time for an introduction and photographs, but not enough for a full interior visit or a detailed walk through every lane. Think of this as your orientation to the quarter. If Vieux Lyon is your main reason for coming, you will want to return on foot after the tour.

A Segway works well here because you can cover more ground than on a walking tour while still pausing for the guide’s explanation. You also avoid the fatigue that can set in during a full day of pavement and cobbles. The trade-off is that you must stay aware of pedestrians. A bell on each Segway would make passing easier, and you should expect to slow down when the route becomes crowded.

The guides are a major part of this stop. Cécile has been singled out for her warm manner and detailed account of Lyon. Mathieu has been praised for combining historical information with time to answer questions and take photographs. Those details suggest a tour that is not just a convoy moving from one photo stop to the next.

Place Bellecour opens the city around you

The next stop is Place Bellecour, Lyon’s central square. After the tighter streets of Vieux Lyon, the wide open space gives you a different view of the city and a chance to understand how the major parts of Lyon connect.

The guide discusses the square’s history and the monuments around it. Again, the stop is planned for about 15 minutes. That is a good amount of time for context and photos, but you will not be lingering over every building. The value here is the clear introduction. You learn what you are looking at, then can return later if a particular monument catches your interest.

I like this change of pace. A good city tour needs more than one old church and a string of narrow lanes. Place Bellecour gives the route breathing room, and the Segway lets you cross it without turning the stop into a long walk.

If you are visiting Lyon on a day trip from Paris, this stop is especially useful. You can see one of the city’s key meeting places without spending your limited time navigating between distant sights. The tour is not a replacement for a full day in Lyon, but it can help you decide where to spend the hours you have left.

Grand Hôtel-Dieu explains Lyon’s riverfront past

The tour then moves toward Grand Hôtel-Dieu, the former hospital of Lyon. You stop for around 10 minutes while the guide explains why a hospital was placed along the Rhône and what the complex has become today.

This is a shorter stop, but it adds useful context. You are not just looking at a handsome building. You are hearing how the riverfront shaped practical city life, then seeing how an old institution has gained a new role. The guide’s questions about the hospital’s location and later use give this pause a clear focus.

The stop is best understood as an exterior introduction. The supplied details do not promise an interior visit, meal, shopping time, or admission. If you want to explore Grand Hôtel-Dieu at length, plan to return independently.

That distinction helps set expectations for the whole tour. You get a sequence of well-chosen city snapshots, not a series of museum entries. For a first look, that is efficient. For a detailed study of Lyon’s architecture, you will need extra time on foot.

The Rhône banks are where the ride really happens

After several history-focused stops, the route reaches the Berges du Rhône. This is the 20-minute riding section, and the guide describes it as the moment to try the Segway’s speed while taking in notable places and broad views of Lyon.

I would expect this to be the most playful part of the outing. You have already learned the controls, so you can enjoy the movement instead of concentrating on every small adjustment. It also gives the tour a welcome change from stopping, listening, and taking photographs.

Still, speed should mean controlled progress, not racing. The riverbanks are shared public spaces, and the tour information itself notes the presence of pedestrians and cyclists. Keep a safe distance and follow your guide’s pace. If you are nervous, this is the place to ask for a slower approach. If you are already comfortable, you will appreciate having a longer uninterrupted stretch.

The Rhône section also shows why a Segway can be useful in Lyon. You cover more ground than you would on foot, yet you remain outdoors and connected to the city. You are not sealed inside a vehicle, and you can stop to look around when the guide calls the group together.

Place des Terreaux closes the route with big civic sights

The final stop is Place des Terreaux, planned for about 15 minutes. Here, the guide points out Lyon’s city hall, the Fine Arts Museum, Bartholdi’s fountain, and Buren’s work.

It is a strong final stop because several important public buildings and artworks meet in one square. The guide can give you a quick visual map of the area, helping you decide which sights deserve a later visit. You get a sense of Lyon as a city of civic spaces and art, not only as an old quarter beside the river.

The route then returns to the agency at Quai Romain Rolland. The full timing adds up to 90 minutes: 15 minutes of instruction, followed by roughly 75 minutes at the city stops and along the Rhône. The schedule is compact, so expect a brisk introduction rather than long pauses.

One useful detail: the tour headquarters can hold your luggage during the activity. That can make a real difference if you arrive before check-in, leave Lyon after the tour, or are taking a day trip with a small bag. You should not count on food or bottled water being included, so bring what you need for the outing.

What the $48.19 price buys you

At $48.19 per person, the tour is priced as a short guided activity rather than a full-day excursion. You are paying for the Segway, instruction, helmet, hairnet, rain cape if needed, guide, and a planned route through several central areas.

I think the value is strongest if you have limited time or want a break from walking. The tour lets you connect Vieux Lyon, Place Bellecour, Grand Hôtel-Dieu, the Rhône banks, and Place des Terreaux in one outing. You also receive historical explanations instead of simply passing the sights.

The value is weaker if you want long visits, museum admission, food, or a quiet pace. Meals and bottled water are not included, and the 90-minute format cannot give every stop much depth. There is a two-hour ComhiC option for people who want a longer route and more stops, but this shorter tour makes more sense if you want a compact first look.

The strong overall rating of 4.9 from 27 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation rate support the view that the tour delivers what it promises: a fun, informative city overview. I would still read the practical conditions carefully, especially if you have never used a Segway.

Who should book this Lyon tour?

You are a good match if you want to see several central sights quickly, enjoy learning from a local guide, and do not want to spend the entire afternoon walking. It also suits people arriving by train for a short visit, since the route gives you a usable first map of Lyon.

The activity is also a good choice for families with older teenagers, couples, and small groups of friends. The minimum age is 14, and participants must weigh at least 45 kilos. Pregnant people cannot take part.

You need reasonable balance and comfort in a public city setting. The tour is not described as a demanding athletic activity, but you must control the Segway, stay alert around pedestrians and cyclists, and follow directions. If you are uncertain, use the training period fully and ask the guide for help.

Rain does not automatically cancel the experience because a rain cape is provided if needed. You should still dress for the conditions and bring water, since neither water nor meals are included.

Should you book the 90-minute route?

I would book this tour if your main goal is to get oriented to Lyon quickly, see a useful mix of old streets, civic squares, riverfront sights, and public art, and have some fun along the way. The guides, especially Cécile and Mathieu, add the human touch that makes a short route worthwhile.

I would choose the two-hour option instead if Lyon is a major part of your trip and you want more time on the route. I would also skip this activity if you dislike balancing on moving equipment, need a very slow walking-style tour, or want interior visits.

For most suitable participants, the 90-minute format is a good first taste. Just remember what it is: a lively overview with solid orientation, not a full historical tour of every monument.

FAQ

How long does the Segway tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This includes about 15 minutes of training before the city route begins.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at 7 Quai Romain Rolland, 69005 Lyon, France.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is training included?

Yes. The guide provides a 15-minute training session before the group leaves for the city route.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. A helmet and hairnet are included.

Is rain protection available?

Yes. A rain cape is provided if it is raining.

Can I leave luggage at the agency?

Yes. You can leave your luggage at the tour agency during the activity.

What language is the tour offered in?

English is offered. The tour can also operate in French and English at the same time.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 participants.

Is there a minimum age or weight?

Yes. Participants must be at least 14 years old and weigh at least 45 kilos. Pregnant people cannot take part.

Are meals or bottled water included?

No. Bottled water and meals are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.