Place de la Basoche

You arrive in front of the Place de la Basoche, where a beautiful lion statue waits for you. This square is surrounded by pretty, colorful houses with Tuscan galleries, presenting a fine example of the Renaissance architecture, also characteristic of the Vieux-Lyon district. In 1406, the square was home to an annex of the Palais de Justice, known as the Maison des Avocats. It housed the Brothergood de la Basoche in the two-storey house opposite you. The term “Basoche” comes from the Middle Ages and refers to the clerks and lawyers of the courts of justice. The Basoche brotherhood was responsible for defending the interests of lawyers and training them. Today, it houses the fascinating Musée du Cinéma et de la Miniature, where you can discover the special effects used in cinema, through the 500 objects on display in the rooms, as well as the art of miniatures.There are also over 100 miniature scenes created by European artists. A unique museum in France that I can’t recommend highly enough!