Courtyards and Traboules of Croix-Rousse

Trabouler, from Latin "Trans ambulare" means "pass through".
In large numbers on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse hill, they were mainly used to bring back the silk traders down the hill without exposing them to the elements. They sheltered the secret comings and goings of Canuts during their great revolt in 1831 and Resistants of Lyon during the 2^nd World War.

Ten beautiful or picturesque traboules not to be missed on the slopes of Croix-Rousse hill

• The most famous is the "Court of Voracious" or "House of the Republic" (at 9 Place Colbert whch leads to 29 rue Imbert-Colomès and 14 bis montée St Sébastien) whose name comes from a group of the silk weavers (Canuts) who were very active revolutionaries in 1848. Monumental six-story facade staircase.
• The most happening is Passage Thiaffait, home to independent creators, between 30 Rue Burdeau and 19 Rue Leynaud.
• The most bucolic is perhaps Venelle des Pierres Plantées, with its gentle slope leading down to a school and a garden.
• The most elegant is the traboule of Cour du Moirage, between 5 Place Croix-Paquet and 3 bis Petite Rue des Feuillants.
• The most picturesque, with its wrought iron staircase, is the one leading from 5 Rue Coustou to 22 Rue des Capucins.
• The most hidden away, is perhaps the little traboule-staircase which leads from 118 Montée de la Grande Côte to 7 rue Terme.
• One of the most beautiful, for its monumental staircase, is the traboule between 4 Rue de Thou and 5 Petite Rue des Feuillants.
• The traboule that links 20 Rue Imbert Colomès and 55 rue des Tables Claudiennes.
• The traboule between number 6 Rue René Leynaud and 3 Rue des Capucins
• The traboule linking 6 Rue des Capucins and 1 Rue Sainte-Marie des Terreaux with its huge courtyard.

Further information on Croix-Rousse