I didn't get to meet Emmanuelle but her friend Nora welcomed us right on time and was very thorough in showing us round. She even bought us a baguette, though that may have only been because we arrived on Sunday evening when most places were closed.

What a great place to stay! Living in the old traboules of Lyon is a unique experience and I'm really glad I've done it when I'm young as those narrow, winding stairs up and down would be a struggle. If you're fairly healthy, I fully recommend you try the experience if you're coming to Lyon. The views out of the window are extraordinary too.

The house is comfortable and well kitted out. I think the owner usually lives there or it's perhaps her second home, given all the books and children's photographs. The garden is nice and completely enclosed, which was great for our dog. It's a little small but it's probably massive compared to most other traboule apartments. Wifi worked very well and was as fast as my fibre connection at home.

Parking on the street near the top entrance was free in August and is about 2 minutes from the house. We didn't have any trouble finding a spot but it was full occasionally when we walked past.

The bottom entrance to the house takes you straight into the old town, with great restaurants and shops right outside. Unfortunately, many of the places we wanted to go are closed in August but Lyon still had plenty to offer. Emmanuelle had prepared a great little book of restaurants, shops, bakeries and a butcher to visit; very thoughtful and helpful.

There was some city noise, which is to be expected given it's location, but overall the house was surprisingly quiet. It's possible to hear the neighbours in the other traboules eating and drinking in the evenings, but I think that's a pleasant noise.

My only criticism is that the house was a little hot in August. There is no air-con so the windows need to be left open, which left me with a few mosquito bites. It's understandable given that it's such an old house and only ever too hot for one or two months of the year.

Overall, a great place to stay as long as you're fit and healthy enough to manage the three sets of winding stone staircases. Five stars.