A place travelers can visit Vieux Lyon

Reviews: Vieux Lyon

General description: Vieux Lyon

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Vieux Lyon
Beautiful Renaissance houses with façades featuring Florentine influence are concentrated in the stylish quarter near St Jean Cathedral on the right bank of the Saône; there are craft shops, tea salons and cafes.

Vieux Lyon - a historical town
This town was once the center of Lyon. Here the guilds formed, especially the silk workers. Silk weaving has long been the main industry of the city. During the reign of Francis I, there were 18,000 looms. Wealthy merchants, bankers, clergy and royal officers also lived in some of these beautifully furnished houses. Nearly 300 of these buildings are preserved and form a magnificent Renaissance ensemble. What may strike you is the unusual height of these houses which are over 400 years old. The original four floors were continuously added to in order to have more light when working on the looms. This is also the reason for the relatively large windows.
 
An architectural maze
The architectural styles encompass Renaissance, late Gothic, 16th Century and early classicism. The numerous "traboules" are a hallmark of the old town of Lyon. As space was lacking for a large road network, the residential blocks were built perpendicular to the Saone with many passages interconnecting them. The corridors are often vaulted with pointed arches and beautifully decorated beamed ceilings and lead to inner courtyards with magnificent galleries.
These passages are private and are usually closed, but agreements among residents now make sure that they are accessible to all.

Address
Place Saint-Jean
69005 Lyon

Contact Details
Telephone: +33 4 78422575

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