- 26 Quai Saint-Antoine, 69002 Lyon
- What you see
- What you need to know
Welcome to our guided tour through the Printers’ Passage in Lyon, a fascinating chapter in the history of printing during the Renaissance. Lyon in the 16th century was a vibrant cultural center, rivaling even Paris as a major center of printing. Let me briefly introduce you to this journey through the prism of printer Étienne Dolet.
During the Renaissance, Lyon was booming economically, becoming an important trading center in Europe. This prosperity led to a growing demand for books and printed materials, creating fertile ground for printers.
Lyon enjoyed relative freedom of publication, attracting many printers seeking to escape the restrictions and censorship of other cities. This helped make Lyon an important hub for renowned publishers and printers. Among the notable figures, Étienne Dolet stood out. A passionate printer and humanist, he contributed to the publication of classical texts, poetry and scholarly works, making his workshop an intellectual center.
However, Étienne Dolet's life was marked by controversy. His bold and critical writings about religion caused tensions with religious and political authorities. His commitment to freedom of expression eventually led to years of imprisonment and a tragic execution in 1546.
Thus, by exploring the passage of printers in Lyon, we discover a panorama rich in humanist ideas, intellectual progress, but also in challenges and sacrifices. This place bears witness to the diffusion of knowledge and the fight for freedom of thought at the heart of the French Renaissance.
- Architecture
The Printers' Passage, revealing its charm at the quay, opens with an imposing porch of a magnificent old building, decorated with a large arched grille door surmounting a keyed lintel. Once inside, the straight paved paths reveal an open-air section, revealing the imposing facades of two twin houses.
Four elegant doors, each crowned with a lion's head, lead to these residences. In the second covered part of the passage, which emerges onto Rue Mercière, the architecture is further revealed.
A long, round-arched grilled door, flanked by a keyed lintel, welcomes visitors. On the second floor, a balcony extends, offering a picturesque view. The ceiling of this section forms four low domes at the ends, creating a unique atmosphere.
The semi-circular windows add a distinctive architectural touch, while a warm welcome is provided by two bouchons lyonnais, anchoring the passage in the tradition and conviviality of the city.
The whole creates a welcoming and visually captivating atmosphere for visitors walking through this historic passage.
- Two tourist plaques
Note the presence of two tourist plaques:
- Saint-Antoine quay side which tells the history of rue mercière
- on the rue Mercière side which pays homage to Etienne Dollet
- Archive images
