La Croix-Rousse

The two symbols of the city of Lyon are the two hills: la Fourvière and la Croix-Rousse. The first is where the Basillica de Fourvière can be found, and because of this it is known as "the hill that prays". The second is known as "the hill that works" because it is here where the famous silk workshops used to be during the 19th century.

- one of the views from "the hill that works".

It is precisely the hill de la Croix-Rousse that we are going to talk about today. Nowadays, this place is called the bohemian district of Lyon: you can find bars, restaurants and indie shops here. Also, as you are walking through the streets here, you will find numerous works of graffiti and other artistic expressions.

- inspired surely by Mexico

Furthermore, thanks to its elevation, during your walk through la Croix-Rousse, you are guaranteed some stunning panoramic views of the city of Lyon below you. I have been coming here a lot lately, it has allowed me to enjoy it so much. Each time I come, I can't leave before I stop for a moment to look out on the city of Lyon from the height of the hill. Personally, I love panoramic views, it is fascinating to contemplate everything from the above the rush, the hustle and bustle of the city, to see the roofs of all the buildings and to admire the sky. Or if it is nighttime, to see the lights of the city and the buildings... Finally, to go to la Croix-Rousse is a guaranteed special moment in Lyon.

I took this photo last year, during my first couple of months in Lyon. Oh, nostalgia!

La Croix-Rousse and the history of Lyon

In terms of its history, like I have said, la Croix-Rousse is known as "the hill that works" and is where you can find the silk factories that were so famous in the city of Lyon. The buildings were known for their large windows which function was to allow the maximum amount of light in so that the hand-made silk workers could work.

- the famous mural des Canuts

During the 19th century, 60% of the inhabitants of Lyon were workers that worked right in these factories in Croix-Rousse. These workers were known as "canuts" and even nowadays, this word forms part of the daily vocabulary in Lyon. For example, there is a boulevard called "the Boulevard des Canuts" or the Radio Canuts. There is even a special cuisine called "cervelle de canuts", the "brain of Canuts". It is a type of dip made with cream or creme cheese, blue cheese, herbs, salt, pepper, a little olive oil and a little vinegar too. The name comes from the fact that it was the main dish for the silk workers, the canuts.

- a cat watching the sky

The mural des Canuts

Returning to la Croix-Rousse and the canuts, in this place we can find the famous trompe-l’œil des Canuts: an enormous mural that plays with perspective.

This huge mural is the biggest in the whole of Europe, painted in 1987 by a Lyon-based company that have done many other murals not only in Lyon but also in Europe and the rest of the world.

- the mural des Canuts

Visit la Croix-Rousse, exercise guaranteed!

Like you already will have imagined, with it being a hill, la Croix-Rousse is a synonym for exercise and this is not because there are loads of gyms in this area but instead because there are endless steps and hills for you to climb. In Quebec, in Canada there are also loads of steps, a friend of mine once joked that it was the city of stairs. I would think that that were true... until you have come to Lyon and discovered (and climbed! ) these steps of the Croix-Rousse. Finally, all the effort is repaid and in this case, if you don't finish with super toned legs, the prize will be the beautiful views that I mentioned at the start of the article.

- one of many stairs!

Art in the Croix-Rousse

As I already said, this district is characterised by its Bohemian atmosphere and its numerous graffitis. Each time I discover a new one, here are some photos:

- a colourful restaurant

- a happy post!

How to get here

In order to arrive here, you have two options as to whether you want to do exercise or not. If you are brave and you want do the whole of the ascent up the hill, you can take the metro line A and get off at the station Hôtel de Ville – Louis Pradel. Once you're here, there's nothing left for you but to climb.

If you don't want to walk too far, you can make contact with the Hotel de Ville to take the Metro line C and get off at la Croix-Rousse. Get off here, you will have arrived at the top of the hill. You can take buses like the C13, the S6 or the S12. All of them take you to the Hotel de Ville, but the first two do so more frequently.

So now you know that la Croix-Rousse should be on your list of visits during your stay in Lyon. The walk through this part of town is unforgettable!

- panorama during night