img_logo_impression The silk district – Slopes of the Croix Rousse

The silk district – Slopes of the Croix Rousse

Incredible views over the Presqu'île, distinctive architecture and 'traboule' passageways built by the silk workers...
Croix Rousse map

Itinerary from Place Tolozan (1)

Place Tolozan: in the foreground, a monumental silk industry building from the 17th century.
Via place Louis Pradel and rue Désirée, go to No. 7 rue Saint-Polycarpe. Here is the building known as the Condition des soies (2) which used to accommodate the raw silk materials quality control authorities. Keep going as far as Saint-Polycarpe church (3). The 18th century façade is the work of Toussaint Loyer.

Take rue René Leynaud, then go up the montée St-Sébastien as far as No. 27, Villemanzy residence (4), a former Saint Elizabeth monastery (1665).

At No. 7 place Colbert, visit the Cour des voraces (5) the center of the silk weavers' (Canuts) uprisings.

Go along the montée Saint-Sébastien to boulevard de la Croix-Rousse and the Gros caillou (6), a large stone from the ice age found in 1890.

- Go along the montée de la Grande-côte (7), one of the main routes between Lyon and the Croix-Rousse "village".
 

 

Turn left into rue René Leynaud and go as far as passage Thiaffait (8). A beautiful Serlio-style porch with a double staircase leading to rue Burdeau.

Take rue Burdeau and rue L. Sportisse to the Amphitheater of the Three Gauls (9) (19 B.C.), place where the first Christian martyrs were thrown to the lions in 177.

Discover place Sathonay (10), a former royal abbey (1296). The staircase displays beautiful architectural symmetry.

Take rue Louis Vittet as far as la Martinière (11), a former Augustin convent, on place Gabriel Rambaud; opposite, the Rameau concert hall (12) (1908) and the Martinière School, in pure "art nouveau" style.

Take rue Thimonnier and continue as far as the Saône riverbank. At No. 60 is the neo-classical Saint-Vincent church (13), which was entirely restored in 1990.