The Court of the Voraces – the anger of the canuts

Welcome to the Cour des Voraces, an iconic location in the heart of the Croix-Rousse slopes in Lyon. This building courtyard, built around 1840, is famous for its monumental six-story façade staircase, also known as the free-flight staircase. This impressive staircase connects 9 Place Colbert to 14 Montée Saint-Sébastien or 29 Rue Imbert-Colomès, providing a fascinating passage through the levels of the courtyard.

Witness to the working-class history of Lyon, the Cour des Voraces is a symbol of popular architecture known as "canuse", closely linked to the silk industry that left a deep mark on the district. Its very name evokes the struggles and revolts of the canut workers of the 19th century, in particular the famous "Voraces" who distinguished themselves during the republican insurrections of 1848 and 1849.

This picturesque courtyard has been the scene of great moments in the history of Lyon. It is said that the canut workers found refuge in this courtyard during their revolts, making it a symbol of their fight for decent living conditions. The battles that pitted the canuts against the soldiers of the regular army during the second insurrection of the Voraces in 1849 have marked the collective imagination.

During World War II, the Cour des Voraces also played a crucial role in the resistance. Lyon's traboules, such as those in this courtyard, allowed resistance networks to escape the surveillance of the German occupiers, making the Cour des Voraces a symbol of clandestine resistance.

Today, the Cour des Voraces is listed as a historic monument, preserving its unique heritage and its importance in the history of Lyon.

By exploring the Cour des Voraces, you will discover not only a place of great architectural beauty, but also a living witness to the history of the workers and the resistance of Lyon. Immerse yourself in this past rich in emotions and let yourself be imbued with the atmosphere full of history of this emblematic courtyard.