In Lyon, France, you don"t just walk through the city—you glide through it. The traboules, a network of hidden passageways threading between courtyards and buildings, turn a simple stroll into a treasure hunt. They were the original shortcuts, allowing residents to dodge rain, carry goods or move discreetly through the medieval quarters. Today, they"re less about practicality and more about discovery. These passages date back to the fourth century but became essential during the Renaissance, when silk traders used them to shuttle delicate fabrics safely from workshops to the river without braving the weather. Later, during World War II, Resistance fighters used the traboules as escape routes.
A traboule in Lyon, France
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
-
Zion National Park, Utah, United States
-
Atlantic spotted dolphins
-
Flying the flag for Pride
-
A puzzle for giants
-
Miravet, Catalonia, Spain
-
A pair of high achievers
-
Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising
-
Annas hummingbird
-
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
-
A traboule in Lyon, France
-
Saint Andrews Day
-
An endless stretch of sky
-
Great white egret, Hungary
-
Moon Day
-
Porthcawl lighthouse, Wales, United Kingdom
-
Fallow deer, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England
-
A dramatic celebration of peace
-
Chinese New Year
-
Don’t look down!
-
Nuit Blanche Toronto
-
Straight out of a fairytale
-
International Whale Shark Day
-
Blue as far as the eye can see
-
North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
-
Giant panda, Chengdu, China
-
Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
-
International Archaeology Day
-
Behold the architectural marvel
-
Ardez village, Graubunden, Switzerland
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

