Visit Lyon

Let's take a break from our ascent of the Croix Rousse to take a look at this magnificent panorama of the city. Do sit down for a moment and admire the view from this square which, in my opinion, well deserves its name: Place Bellevue (Beautiful view square). From here, you can see the eastern part of Lyon: the towers of the Part Dieu Read more

It is no coincidence that this place bears the name of "Esplanade du Gros Caillou" (Esplanade of the Big Pebble). Here you stand in front of the symbol of the Croix Rousse, a heavy rock that traveled almost 200 km to settle here 140,000 years ago. It was discovered in 1861 by the workers who were building the funicular, that would Read more

You're standing on the Croix-Rousse plateau, the district's highest point, also known as the "worker’s hill.". This non-conventional area was home to the "canuts" silk workers, who transformed the industry into a major force, propelling the city to the rank of France's leading industrial hub in the early 19th century.  Read more

On your left, the Maison des Canuts, the Canuts’ House, is nothing less than a museum dedicated to the fascinating history of Lyon’s silk. Here you will have the opportunity to discover different weaving techniques, including the jacquard loom, the first programmable mechanical system.  Read more

Here you are in front of the impressive Canuts mural. This 1200m² painted wall is the largest trompe-l'œil in Europe. Created in 1987, it has an incredible feature: it is considered to be "evolutive", in other words, it is regularly improved in order to be in line with the times. The first version was modified in 1997, to make it more modern Read more

The Place des Tapis takes its name from the grassy slopes at the foot of the ramparts, known as "carpets". In the heart of Croix Rousse, this modern and convenient space enables inhabitants to meet, rest and chat. Here you will find a statue called "Le Chant des Canuts" (The Song of the Canuts), representing two lovers singing the Read more

You are facing one of Lyon's most famous panoramas! This view takes in the Peninsula as far as the Confluence Museum, and in the distance, you can see the mountains of the Massif du Pilat, which is less than an hour ride from Lyon. I'll leave you to enjoy the view before starting the descent! Read more

Today, the central square of the district, Place de la Croix Rousse, hosts the main events of the plateau as well as a food market several days a week. The statue of Joseph Marie Jacquard, famous French inventor who created the first semi-automatic loom in 1801, stands in the middle of the square. Read more

Arranged in several terraces, this esplanade is a privileged meeting place for the inhabitants of Croix-Rousse. Paved with Montalieu limestone, it has several green areas where you can find black mulberry, white mulberry, sycamore and paper mulberry trees, a testimony to the importance of the silk industry which grew in this district. Read more

The Montée de la Grande-Côte, which links the lower slopes to the Croix Rousse plateau, is lined with typical buildings of this unique neighborhood. Some of these colorful houses date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, and add to the charm of this passage, which is the oldest on the hill.  Read more

Located at the foot of the slopes of Croix Rousse, this amphitheater was definitively uncovered in 1958 by Amable Audin, who identified it as an amphitheater thanks to a dedicatory inscription. Built in 19 A.D. with 3,000 seats, it became the largest amphitheater in Gaul from the 2nd century onwards, with a capacity of more than Read more

This square has a friendly atmosphere to it, with “pétanque” courts in the middle and numerous cafés and bars around it. Petanque is a French leisurely game involving strategy and skill to through metallic balls as close as possible to a smaller one.  Inhabitants regularly gather under the shade of the trees that adorn it. Read more

One of the liveliest squares on the Peninsula! With its expansive terraces and exceptional setting, Place des Terreaux appeals to both locals going out for a drink and visitors who appreciate history. The reason? The Town Hall, inaugurated in 1672 and restored in the 19th century, stands at the far end of the square and is one of Lyon's Read more