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(S/E) Start from the SNCF train station and take Cours Brillier opposite, which leads to the Rhône. Stay on the left-hand pavement. Walk past the post office. When you reach Cours de Verdun, Place des Allobroges, turn left and cross diagonally across the central reservation to enter the public garden. In front of you is an imposing statue (Michel Servet - 1515/1553). Go around it on the left to see a particularly well-preserved section of Roman road. Leave the public garden through the same gate to return to Cours Brillier and cross it to take the narrow Rue Boson opposite.
(1) This leads you to the foot of the steps of Saint-Maurice Cathedral. Take the time to climb the steps and enter this imposing monument. The interior is surprising because the sparse decoration contrasts with the sophistication of the building.
Leave the cathedral, cross Rue Bozon and head towards the Rhône via Place Saint-Maurice (West).
Cross the river via the footbridge, which will take you to Sainte-Colombe. At the end of the footbridge, take the stairs on the left, which will take you to Quai d'Herbouville. Turn left (north) onto Quai d'Herbouville. Pass the Tour des Valois. A little further on, take the pedestrian ramp that goes up on the left with the nautical stadium on your right. Go around it to reach a large car park. Head towards the middle of its north side, at the foot of an overpass.
(2) Go under the road through a pedestrian tunnel. At the exit, immediately go up the stairs on the right. Take the time to explore the Gallo-Roman site on your left.
Opposite you is the Gallo-Roman Museum of Saint-Romain en Gal. It is well worth a visit (especially with children).
At the museum, cross the road to change sidewalks, then cross the river again.
(3) When you reach the crossroads, continue to the right and quickly take the stairs down to the right towards the river. By taking this underpass, you can cross the crossroads safely, away from the traffic.
You will come out at Place du Jeu de Paume. Opposite you is the Church of Saint-André d'en Bas (museum and cloister).
Climb the stairs on the left and walk around the church. When you reach a small square, take Rue des Clercs (signposted "Temple d'Auguste et de Livie"). Behind the façades of the buildings lie splendid Renaissance courtyards, now protected by digital locks.
(4) You will come out onto the small Place du Général de Gaulle, almost entirely occupied by the charming Temple of Augustus and Livia. Take the time to walk around this square. You will see the old court of Vienne, a bookshop that, if you are a reader, will not leave you indifferent, as well as several café terraces that are very popular with the Viennese.
Once you have walked around the square, you will come out onto Rue de la Chaîne, which runs perpendicular to Rue des Clercs (eastbound). You will come out onto Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Walk past it and continue straight on until you reach a T-junction, where you turn right onto Rue des Orfèvres. Opposite you is what must be one of the oldest houses in Vienne (half-timbered). Walk past it and you will immediately reach Place du Pilori, which is home to numerous Roman remains.
Turn left towards the Vienne theatre. It is a small Italian-style theatre, fairly unremarkable on the outside but delightful on the inside. When you reach the theatre entrance, turn right and then left to reach Rue Victor Hugo.
Cross the street and take Montée Saint-Marcel opposite. Pass Rue des Célestes and climb a short staircase on the left a little further on, which leads to Rue du Cirque, where you also turn left.
(5) You will arrive at the Théâtre Antique. In summer, you will hardly see it, as it is hidden by the stage set up for the Jazz Festival. Otherwise, you can see it above the fence (you will see it very clearly from the Pipet viewpoint).
At the stop sign at the end of the street, turn right onto Rue de Pipet. It's a steep climb, but just take your time... On your left is the huge Pipet cemetery. Halfway up the hill, there is a bench where you can take a break.
Take the first street on your right (signposted "Belvédère de Pipet").
(6) You will arrive at the Esplanade de Pipet. You will be glad you came, as the view of Vienne and the Rhône Valley is particularly rich and interesting. You can see the cathedral, the Valois Tower, the museum, the unmissable Château de la Bâtie and, at your feet, the gigantic Ancient Theatre. Further away, to the north-west, on the right, are the Monts du Lyonnais, and to the south, the foothills of the Pilat.
Once you've had your fill of the view, retrace your steps to Rue de Pipet, where you turn right. Very quickly, you take Chemin des Amoureux on the right again (be careful, it's easy to miss, and that would be a shame...). It climbs a little at the start, then quickly descends steeply to Montée Saint-Marcel, which you cross to take Montée des Tupinières opposite.
Follow this road and, after a while, turn right again onto Montée Réaumur, which you will actually be going down...
A little further on, follow it to the left, then left again, to reach Montée de Coupe Jarret, which you take to the right. Very quickly, you will come to Rue Victor Hugo (traffic lights). Cross it and take the second street on the right (Rue Peyron).
(7) You will come out onto Place de Miremont. Turn left and then left again onto Cours Romestang, with its tree-lined central avenue. This will take you back to the station, your starting point (S/E).
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