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Lyon | |
 Old Lyon and the Croix-Rousse district
Old Lyon, Vieux Lyon, is the most distinctive part of the city. It contains its medieval heart and the graceful Renaissance townhouses built by Italian silk merchants.
The most fascinating part is the maze of interconnecting pedestrianised tunnels, or traboules. They lead from one street to another through concealed courtyards and galleries. These 300 or so tunnels were made so that silk could be safely transported through Lyon, protected from the elements and thieves. They have been significant throughout the history of the city, serving as a refuge to rioters and resistance fighters. If you find the door to a traboule open, it definitely merits a quiet look inside.
The lively streets contain restaurants and cafés and the Place Saint Jean, in front of the Cathedral of Saint Jean, is a good starting point for any tour of the city. Another area to visit is the Croix-Rousse district, home to Lyon's silk industry from the 15th to the 18th century. The silk weavers, known as les Canuts, were based on this hill which became known as 'the hill that works', la colline qui travaille. In the Croix-Rousse you will also find many good restaurants and local markets.
Links
Le Musée des Tissus, fabric and weaving museum
In both French and English, this is a description of Lyon's industrial past and importance in the fabric trade and contains a preview of the museum's exhibits.
Le Musée de l'Imprimerie, printing museum
Museum charting Lyon's significance in the printing industry. The collection is outlined in French and English.
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