Thiaffait Passage

Welcome to the guided tour of Passage Thiaffait, a hidden treasure in the heart of the Croix-Rousse slopes district in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon.
Ready to dive into the history and culture of this iconic location?

History and Origins

We begin our exploration by going back in time to the beginning of the 19th century, when the Passage Thiaffait was built in 1827. It bears the name of Mr. Thiaffait, a member of the Bureau de Bienfaisance and president of the Société d'Instruction Élémentaire. At that time, the passage was a traboule, with its entrance through a portico on Rue René Leynaud and ending with a double staircase going up the hill to reach Rue Burdeau.

Decline and Renovation

From the end of the 1970s, the buildings of the Passage Thiaffait, already dark, became dilapidated, contributing to a bad reputation of the district of rue René-Leynaud. In the 1980s, the passage became a crime hotspot in Lyon, with almost all of the apartments squatted by various gangs of outcasts, some transformed into clandestine brothels. Drugs, prostitution, trafficking and delinquency proliferated, giving it a reputation as a "cut-throat" area that drove away businesses and residents.

Faced with this situation, the renovation of the Passage Thiaffait was decided in 1997 and completed in 2001. This renovation was a success and allowed the development of the Grand'Côte district. Public financial aid was granted to attract SMEs in the craft sector, transforming the premises into studios and workshops, particularly for young fashion designers. This initiative helped to virtually eradicate crime, making way for a new spirit and dynamism. The group of shops/workshops was named Le village des créateurs.

During the renovation, a “Thiaffait” plaque was placed at the entrance to the Donat passage, bearing witness to the history and transformation of this emblematic place.