La Croix-Rousse
La Croix-Rousse
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This historic neighborhood was the location of Lyon's famous 19th-century silk industry.
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- Hénon • 3 min walk
- Croix-Rousse • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
1,077 reviews
Excellent
473
Very good
424
Average
125
Poor
46
Terrible
9
Hockeydad900
La Canada Flintridge, CA362 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Interesting old neighborhood high up on the hills in the north of Lyon. Lots of stairs! Many shops and restaurants and the old traboule passageways to explore. Great views over the city. Also be sure to see the old Roman forum that held 20,000 people from all over France.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kwnstantina D
Athens, Greece94 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Beautiful neighbourhood, full of life!! On weekends there is a local market on the central square and you may have the luck to see some events!! Old buildings with this bohemian French style!! Take a stroll around to admire the beautiful architecture !!
Written September 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dynorocket
Eugene, OR137 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
I couldn't help but laugh as I read the review just before I wrote this as 'busy eater' wondered what it would be like to live here and mentioned the change in the neighborhood when the children are released from school. Well, I can answer that! Our family moved to the Croix Rousse for 4 months and our children attend that school at the top of the hill and I can tell you it has been one of the best experiences of our lives.
The Croix Rousse is the hill at the north end of Lyon that appears stacked with tall sherbet colored buildings when viewed from the banks of the Rhone or Soane rivers. Those buildings are entwined in the history of the city as they were built specifically to house the huge (tall) looms of the silk weavers who thrived in Lyon prior to the French Revolution. They were key players in the wealth of the entire nation's economy at that time and 90% of the people who lived in Lyons were uninvolved in the silk trade. The silk makers, weavers, artisans, and their families live on the hill, and the merchants and businessmen lived and worked on the flat Presquille between the rivers.
Although the silk trade finally came to an end, the Croix Rousse never stopped being an attract place for families and artists. The light and views of the city are simply stunning in an area still bustling with street markets, buskers with accordions, and sidewalk cafes. The Bouchons and comptoirs are the real deal. Local restaurateurs cook traditional Lyonnais bouchon menus originally created to feed the silk workers! In the Croix Rousse the streets are narrow with boutiques of craftspeople (leather works, furniture, fine art, jewelry..) tucked in along shoe shops and cafes and patisseries. It's impossible to have a bad meal here and you will likely find the special souvenir you are looking for here on the hill. At the very least stop for a glass of wine and see the view of the city below.
Don't mind the school children and hipster parents, it's all part of the ambience of the area. DO visit the silk weavers museum to get a good look at the old looms and then look up as you wander the streets to see the wood beams on the ceilings of apartment all around. These are built specially for the looms. Amazing to see these buildings lovingly taken over by the artists of today.
Yes, it's a hike to get up here or you can take the subway or bus. Personally I love the walk, something new to see everyday.
The Croix Rousse is the hill at the north end of Lyon that appears stacked with tall sherbet colored buildings when viewed from the banks of the Rhone or Soane rivers. Those buildings are entwined in the history of the city as they were built specifically to house the huge (tall) looms of the silk weavers who thrived in Lyon prior to the French Revolution. They were key players in the wealth of the entire nation's economy at that time and 90% of the people who lived in Lyons were uninvolved in the silk trade. The silk makers, weavers, artisans, and their families live on the hill, and the merchants and businessmen lived and worked on the flat Presquille between the rivers.
Although the silk trade finally came to an end, the Croix Rousse never stopped being an attract place for families and artists. The light and views of the city are simply stunning in an area still bustling with street markets, buskers with accordions, and sidewalk cafes. The Bouchons and comptoirs are the real deal. Local restaurateurs cook traditional Lyonnais bouchon menus originally created to feed the silk workers! In the Croix Rousse the streets are narrow with boutiques of craftspeople (leather works, furniture, fine art, jewelry..) tucked in along shoe shops and cafes and patisseries. It's impossible to have a bad meal here and you will likely find the special souvenir you are looking for here on the hill. At the very least stop for a glass of wine and see the view of the city below.
Don't mind the school children and hipster parents, it's all part of the ambience of the area. DO visit the silk weavers museum to get a good look at the old looms and then look up as you wander the streets to see the wood beams on the ceilings of apartment all around. These are built specially for the looms. Amazing to see these buildings lovingly taken over by the artists of today.
Yes, it's a hike to get up here or you can take the subway or bus. Personally I love the walk, something new to see everyday.
Written November 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SZ
Covington, KY261 contributions
At the bottom of the hill is downtown Lyon with elegant buildings and shops and very quickly you pass into a completely different environment. The hillside itself has wonderful staircases the give beautiful views and you pass through such interesting areas. At the top you seem to be in a village-like setting totally unlike the rest of the city. I would recommend taking the subway or a bus to the top, walking around and then taking a staircase down. Even without delving into the silk weavers' history it is an attractive place to visit.
Written December 23, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roshni2011
Colombo, Sri Lanka537 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
Situated on a hill , this was where the silk-workers used to live. It is a charming, historical neighbourhood.
Be prepared to climb some stairs as you explore this area and rest at the plazas along the way to sit at a cafe, watch a game of boules, and simply sit under the shade trees.
There is the Gallo - Roman amphitheater where Christians were martyred, Square Sathonay where boules is played with much fervour, some interesting traboules to find and explore ( some have quaint names ) and the Maison des Canuts where you could learn all about the silk trade of Lyon. Le Mur des Canuts is another attraction not to be missed.
There are some lovely little silk boutiques to buy locally produced silk items -- good to give as gifts.
As you walk up the slope you leave the hustle and bustle of the Presqu'ile behind and enter an area with a completely different, slower, more charming, village like ambience. This was less touristy than some other areas of Lyon, which I found to be quite enjoyable.
Be prepared to climb some stairs as you explore this area and rest at the plazas along the way to sit at a cafe, watch a game of boules, and simply sit under the shade trees.
There is the Gallo - Roman amphitheater where Christians were martyred, Square Sathonay where boules is played with much fervour, some interesting traboules to find and explore ( some have quaint names ) and the Maison des Canuts where you could learn all about the silk trade of Lyon. Le Mur des Canuts is another attraction not to be missed.
There are some lovely little silk boutiques to buy locally produced silk items -- good to give as gifts.
As you walk up the slope you leave the hustle and bustle of the Presqu'ile behind and enter an area with a completely different, slower, more charming, village like ambience. This was less touristy than some other areas of Lyon, which I found to be quite enjoyable.
Written July 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas P
London, UK13 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
Come out of the Croix Rousse metro and there is a nice square with some bars and restaurants. A short walk away is a fantastic view of the city of Lyon - you can see where to go for the view point from the exit of the metro.
From there make your way down the hill along the small streets and through the "traboules" - these are the secret tunnels that were used by the old silk workers (Canuds) of Lyon. The most famous is the"Traboule de la cour des Voraces" which is not far from Croix Rousse.
Get a map of where the tunnels are - there are signs around but some tunnels are locked up and so to find the next one the map was useful. Its a fun piece of real history.
From there make your way down the hill along the small streets and through the "traboules" - these are the secret tunnels that were used by the old silk workers (Canuds) of Lyon. The most famous is the"Traboule de la cour des Voraces" which is not far from Croix Rousse.
Get a map of where the tunnels are - there are signs around but some tunnels are locked up and so to find the next one the map was useful. Its a fun piece of real history.
Written January 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charashdash
Coventry, UK175 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
We stopped in an apartment in Croix Rousse for our stay in Lyon during the Fete des Lumieres, and I have to say this area has such an amazing atmosphere. There are so many hidden treasures to stumble upon, which you will miss if you stick to the main city centre. The montée du grande cote is especially beautiful (albeit hard to walk up!) as it gives a spectacular view of the city, whilst providing many unique independent shops and cafes.
Also, the traboules in this area are especially unique and offer up some amazing history of the area - you can find maps for these online/at the tourist office.
Also, the traboules in this area are especially unique and offer up some amazing history of the area - you can find maps for these online/at the tourist office.
Written December 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thejennings1
northern england130 contributions
Oct 2019
Took the metro up to this area, visited Sunday morning, especially for the food market which was amazing, long rows of stalls selling the best fruit and veg ever, stalls selling freshly cooked chickens with potatoes roasted in the chicken juices. If I lived here this is the place I would shop. There are also some lovely restaurants in this area. The view sure soso great. Have a walk or metro tide up here and a steady stroll back down, we’ll worth it
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff E
Birmingham, UK356 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We travelled to Croix Rousse on the Road Train from Hotel de Ville (9 euros per person for 1 hour tour) . Great way to see the area + murals and the market. Glad we didn't walk it - looked exhausting!
Written May 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sari P
Gothenburg, Sweden42 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
If you are planning to visit Lyon, choose a hotel/apartment/hostel in Croix Rousse. Simply the best area of Lyon. Cosy streets with hipstery bars and night life, artistic with lot of galleries, cool people, beautiful buildings and the famous "traboules" a kind of alleys specific for Croix Rousse. Just a few minutes from the main square/pedestrain street and opera.
Written September 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there any silk weaving museums? Is there anything to do besides walk around?
Written August 26, 2019
Hi! Yes there is a very good Atelier/museum, but be aware the tours are only in French! Get address and more info from the tourist office, or on the net.
Enjoy!
Written September 4, 2019
My partner and I are visiting Lyon for 3 nights at the beginning of April.We are taking the direct Eurostar train .We will be staying in Croix Rousse.Can anyone tell us how to get there using public transport?Also any good ideas for sightseeing or walks ?Any jazz clubs .??Thanks for any tips.Micky
Written March 5, 2016
Êtes vous sûr de ne pas confondre la croix-rousse avec une ville du 1/3 monde. Je ne suis pas croix-roussien, je n'ai pas une affection particuliére pour ce quartier mais j'y bosse ! Ce que vous décrivez est simplement faux ( à moins que vous ne soyez passé sur le boulevard entre la fin du marché et le passage des balayeuse, soit 1/2h). Le quartier est entièrement rénové (trop à mon goût) donc je ne comprend pas !
Written September 2, 2015
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