The particularity of the slopes of the Croix-Rousse is that the hill contains an impressive quantity of traboules. This word comes from the Latin “transambulare” which means: to pass through. These alleys allow you to go from one courtyard of a building to another through the play of discreet corridors.

There are about 300 traboules in the city, most of which are in Old Lyon and on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse. Their origin would come from the small buildable area in Lyon; The traboules made it possible to optimize the space.

Their purpose was to transport loads of silk. By using these covered passages, the canuts protected their goods from the weather and moved more quickly, from the places of production, located on the plateau, to the Terreaux district, where business was transacted.

One of the most remarkable traboule courtyards in Lyon: “The Court of the Voraces”. Classified as a Historic Monument, it consists of 4 courtyards on level superimposed by an extraordinary staircase.