Segway Tour by ComhiC – The Highlights – 1h30

See Lyon before your feet complain. This 90-minute Segway tour gives you a lively way to cover several major sights, from Vieux Lyon and St. John’s Cathedral to Place Bellecour, the Rhône riverbanks, and Place des Terreaux. I like the mix of guided history and easy sightseeing, and I also like that training, a helmet, and rain protection are included.

The route is especially useful if you have only part of a day in Lyon, or if walking long distances is not your ideal way to explore. The main drawback is the short practice period for first-time riders. Fifteen minutes may be enough for some people, but others may need extra time before they feel fully comfortable around pedestrians and cyclists.

Key points before you book

• A compact route through central Lyon: See Vieux Lyon, Place Bellecour, Grand Hôtel-Dieu, the Rhône riverbanks, and Place des Terreaux in one outing.
• A 15-minute training session: Instruction is included, with extra help available if needed.
• Small groups of up to 10 people: The size should allow the guide to keep an eye on new riders.
• Useful equipment included: You receive a helmet, hairnet, and rain cape when rain is falling.
• A practical luggage perk: Bags can be left at the agency during the tour.
• A bilingual format is possible: The tour may run in French and English at the same time.

Why a Segway works well in Lyon

Lyon spreads across several central districts, with major sights separated by broad squares, riverside paths, and historic streets. A Segway lets you cover more ground than you would on foot without turning the day into a march from one monument to the next.

I see this as a sightseeing sampler rather than a deep visit to any one attraction. You will stop outside the landmarks, hear their story, take photographs, and continue. There is no included entry to the cathedral, museums, courthouse, or former hospital.

That format suits you if you want an introduction before exploring Lyon on your own. It also works well for a day trip from Paris, when every minute matters and you want to see the main sights without spending the whole visit walking.

The tour receives a 4.9 rating from 27 reviews, with 100 percent of participants recommending it. The strongest praise goes to the guides, especially Cécile and Mathieu, also called Mateo. Cécile is praised for her warm manner and detailed knowledge of Lyon. Mateo has guided in English, French, Spanish, and other languages, and has also offered suggestions for local places to eat.

Starting at 7 Quai Romain Rolland

The tour begins at ComhiC’s agency at 7 Quai Romain Rolland, 69005 Lyon. This is a useful starting point because the company can hold your luggage while you ride, a helpful service if you have checked out of your accommodation or are carrying bags between trains.

After meeting the guide, you receive a hairnet and helmet. If rain is falling, a rain cape is available. Bottled water and meals are not included, so bring water with you, especially on a warm afternoon.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. It is near public transportation, which makes it easier to fit into a wider day of sightseeing.

Learning to ride before Vieux Lyon

The first 15 minutes are devoted to instruction. You learn how to control the Segway before setting off through the city. This matters because the machine responds to your body position, and first-time riders often need a few minutes before the controls feel natural.

Several riders have found that the process becomes automatic after a short adjustment period. That is encouraging, but you should still arrive ready to concentrate. The group may include people with different levels of confidence, and the guide must balance practice time with the promised 90-minute route.

One useful detail is that additional instruction can be given if required. I would ask for it rather than pretending to be ready. A calm start is more valuable than reaching the first sight a few minutes early.

The tour has a maximum of 10 participants. That is a sensible limit for a moving group, though you still need to pay attention when riding near pedestrians and cyclists. One rider suggested that more practice time would help newcomers, and another wished each Segway had a bell. Those are fair points to keep in mind.

Vieux Lyon and St. John’s Cathedral

The first sightseeing stop is Vieux Lyon, the city’s old quarter. The guide introduces the area and points out the historic courthouse and St. John’s Cathedral.

This opening stop gives the tour its cultural foundation. Instead of treating Lyon as a string of photo stops, the guide begins with the older part of the city and explains what you are seeing. Cécile has earned particular praise for making Lyon’s history clear and engaging, while other guides have been described as friendly, funny, and easy to understand in English.

You should expect about 15 minutes here. That is enough for an introduction and photographs, but not enough for a long architectural visit or a full look inside the cathedral. If Vieux Lyon is your main reason for coming to the city, plan to return later on foot.

The Segway is useful here because it gets you between the major districts quickly. Still, old-town streets can be busy, and you must ride carefully. The guide’s instructions and your own awareness matter more than speed.

Place Bellecour and Lyon’s central scale

The second stop is Place Bellecour, Lyon’s great central square. The guide explains its history and the monuments around it during another 15-minute stop.

The square helps you understand Lyon’s size and layout. It is a broad open space, a welcome change after the tighter streets of the old quarter, and a good place for the guide to explain how the city’s central districts relate to one another.

This is also where the Segway begins to show its practical value. You can cross more of the central area in a short time, then pause for the story rather than spending your limited schedule walking between stops.

The stop is brief, so listen closely if you want to remember the historical details. The tour’s format favors concise explanations rather than a long lecture. That keeps the outing moving, but you may want to note places that deserve a later visit.

Grand Hôtel-Dieu beside the Rhône

The route then reaches Grand Hôtel-Dieu, the former hospital of Lyon. The guide asks why the hospital was built beside the Rhône and explains what the building has become today.

This stop adds an important layer to the tour. You are not simply seeing an attractive historic structure. You are also hearing how an old civic institution can change purpose over time. The building’s position beside the river gives the guide a natural way to connect Lyon’s medical and urban story.

About 10 minutes are scheduled here, making it the shortest sightseeing stop. That is enough for an outside explanation and a quick photograph. It is not a substitute for spending time inside the complex or exploring every part of the site.

I like this kind of stop because it gives you a question to carry into the rest of your visit. The guide is not only pointing at a monument, but asking why it exists where it does and how the city uses it now.

The Rhône riverbanks and a faster stretch

The longest riding section comes along the Berges du Rhône, the Rhône riverbanks. This part lasts about 20 minutes and is designed to let you enjoy the movement of the Segway as well as the views.

After several guided stops, the riverbanks provide breathing room. You can ride at a faster pace, see more of Lyon from beside the water, and enjoy a change from standing still while listening. The route is described as offering striking views and notable places along the river.

This is likely to be the most fun part for confident riders. It also requires the most care. Riverside paths may be shared with pedestrians and cyclists, so keep a steady speed and follow the guide closely. The machine may feel simple after practice, but it is still wider and less familiar than walking.

A hot afternoon can make this stretch feel especially welcome, though you should carry your own water because none is supplied. The riverbanks also make the tour feel less like a standard monument circuit. You get a sense of Lyon as a city shaped by its waterways, not just its buildings.

Finishing at Place des Terreaux

The final stop is Place des Terreaux, a handsome square surrounded by major landmarks. The guide points out the city hall, the Fine Arts Museum, Bartholdi’s fountain, and Buren’s installation.

It is a strong finish because several different kinds of Lyon come together here: civic power, art, public space, and monumental decoration. The fountain offers an obvious photograph, while the nearby museum gives you a useful idea for a later visit.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. As with the rest of the route, you will hear an outside explanation rather than enter the museum or city hall. That is worth remembering when setting expectations. The tour shows you the city’s highlights, but it does not replace museum tickets or a self-guided visit.

Ending here also gives the route a clear progression. You begin in the old town, cross through Lyon’s central square, pass a former hospital, ride beside the Rhône, and finish among the city’s grand civic and artistic landmarks.

Guides, languages, and the human side of the tour

The guides are one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. Cécile is praised for being welcoming, friendly, and able to explain Lyon’s major sights with historical detail. Mathieu, known as Mateo, has guided in English, French, and Spanish, and has been especially appreciated for answering questions while leaving time for riding and photographs.

That balance matters. A Segway tour can easily become either a history talk with too little riding or a fast spin past buildings with no context. The best moments here seem to come when the guide gives you a clear explanation, then lets you enjoy the route.

The tour may operate in French and English at the same time. If you need a fully private language experience, check the arrangements before booking. Still, the available feedback suggests the English delivery has been clear and effective.

You may also ask the guide about local food suggestions. Mateo is specifically praised for knowing good places to eat, which can be handy after the tour.

Price, timing, and who gets good value

At $48.19 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Lyon, but it offers reasonable value if you want guided sightseeing and a way to reduce walking. The price includes the Segway, instruction, helmet, hairnet, rain cape when needed, and luggage storage at the agency.

The 90-minute duration is exactly what the name promises. One person felt the outing could have lasted longer, but also recognized that it delivered the advertised time. If you want a longer route with more stops, ComhiC also offers a two-hour tour.

I think the 90-minute version makes the most sense in three situations:

• You have only a short visit to Lyon.
• You want a first look before exploring selected sights on foot.
• You enjoy trying a fun form of transport instead of joining a standard walking tour.

It may be less suitable if you dislike balancing equipment, want extended time inside museums and churches, or prefer a slow walk through narrow historic streets.

The minimum age is 14, and riders must weigh at least 45 kilograms. Pregnant people cannot participate. Most other people can take part, but you should be comfortable following instructions and sharing paths with pedestrians and cyclists.

Safety, comfort, and small practical matters

The company provides a helmet and hairnet, with a rain cape if the weather is wet. That removes a few common worries, though you still need suitable clothing and your own drinking water.

The 15-minute lesson is the key safety point. If this is your first Segway experience, use the practice time fully and speak up if you need more help. A previous incident involving minor collisions was handled calmly by the guide, but it also shows why new riders should not rush.

The group limit of 10 helps keep the outing manageable. Even so, this is an active tour in public spaces, not a closed course. You will need to watch for people with buggies, cyclists, and other path users.

The tour is not accessible to pregnant people, and the age and weight rules are strict practical limits. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity returns to the starting point.

Should you book the ComhiC Segway tour?

I would book it if you want a friendly, efficient introduction to Lyon and like the idea of seeing the city while riding rather than walking. The route covers a useful set of central sights, and the guides receive especially strong praise for warmth, language skills, historical explanations, and local suggestions.

I would choose the two-hour option if Lyon is a major part of your trip and you want more time on the route. For a short visit, the 90-minute tour does a good job of showing you where to focus next.

Book the 90-minute version for a fast, fun overview. Skip it if you want long interior visits, a quiet walking pace, or complete control over how long you spend at each monument. For everyone else, it offers a practical way to get oriented, enjoy the Rhône, and meet Lyon through both its landmarks and its streets.

FAQ

How long does the Segway tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute training session.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at 7 Quai Romain Rolland, 69005 Lyon, France.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is Segway instruction included?

Yes. A 15-minute training session is included before the sightseeing begins, and additional instruction can be provided if needed.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. The tour includes a helmet and a hairnet.

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 agency during the tour.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. English is offered, and the tour may operate in French and English at the same time.

What is the minimum age and weight?

Participants must be at least 14 years old and weigh at least 45 kilograms.

Can pregnant people join the tour?

No. The activity is prohibited for pregnant people.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 participants.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Bottled water and meals are not included.