16 rue Juiverie / 7 montée Saint-Barthélemie
The Punaise alley is a sloping passage connecting the rue Juiverie, at number 16, to the montée Saint-Barthélemy. However, Access is currently blocked by two padlocked gates : one at the top of the steep slope, preventing the exit towards the Saint-Barthélemy climb, and the other at the bottom, at the level of rue Juiverie. These restrictions make it impossible to fully use this historic path in Old Lyon.
This type of alley is characteristic of the medieval and Renaissance areas of the city, with its network of narrow, winding streets that bear witness to Lyon's ancient urban planning.
The Ruelle Punaise, visible since the Middle Ages, has often been seen as an open sewer, although this is an exaggeration. It was mainly used to channel rainwater, as evidenced by the old names linked to water, such as "ruette des Airins" or "ruette des Eaux". Long neglected, the alley has suffered from conflicts between the City of Lyon and local residents regarding its maintenance. Recent renovation work, initiated in 2021, aims to breathe new life into this picturesque corner of Old Lyon.