Thursday, August 23, 2012

Walking the covered hallways of Lyon



It was a sunny day for our second day in Lyon and Sue wanted to see the covered passageways (Traboules) where the silk traders made their way safely from from their warehouses to market. We wandered into the old part of Lyon searching for a way into these passageways but many of the entrances were boarded up and not open to the public. We did however discover a few to discover. They call these passageways Traboules and the best place to find the few among hundreds open to the public is in the Vieux-Lyon and Croix-Rousse areas. The first of these Traboules are believed to date back to the 4th Century and during WWII, they were instrumental in stopping the Germans from taking full control of Lyon.
I'm not sure that we discovered the real Traboules or maybe we just touched the surface of the honeycomb of what still exists. I imagine that today, many are unsafe for the public to enter. What we did see though gave us an indication of the rabbit warren of secret passageways that exist beneath old Lyon.








 It wasn't until I did some further research on the Traboules of Lyon that became aware that two cities that we have visited, also have Traboules - those being Macon and St Etienne. Its amazing how much you discover after the event.



12 comments:

  1. How strange that one would take these passages for safety reasons. These days they seem the ideal place for people with ill-intentions to attack and rob unsuspecting and law-abiding citizens. Well times do change, I guess. Nice photos, btw. I like the one with the gate opening into the small courtyard. The 'turrent' in the corner would make a nice barbecue, wouldn't it? ;) Martine

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    1. Martine,
      In daylight and with Sue for protection, I felt completely safe. The passageways are quite amazing and I do like the idea of a Barbie in something medieval.

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  2. Great stuff!

    I suppose silk traders were always at risk, whether they were at the Chinese end of the silk route, in the Middle East or in Europe. Along the actual route, there were plenty of sealed and secure caravanserai, so why not some protection at the pointy end of the silk trade? Just that I suppose most people had never heard of the passageways.

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    1. Hels,
      Love your posts - so informative. Thanks for popping in.

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  3. What a beautiful town, those passage ways are amazing. Another place to add to the list :-)) Diane

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    1. Diane, hop in the car with Nigel and go for it.
      We only live once.

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  4. This is such a fascinating area of Lyon.

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    1. And more Lyon to come next Wednesday - Lunch and Roman Ruins.

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  5. We're going to send a weekend in Lyon soon. They have guided walks through these tunnels so I may well try to book one. Your photos make them look really interesting.

    I hope you will pop over to see me at Fat Dormouse getting Thinner (dormouse.blogspot.com) and join in my Giveaway.

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    1. Hi FD - I do pop in occasionally but to remind me I shall whack you on my side bar.
      Next Wednesday we go to a great lunch in Lyon. Come and visit.
      Guided walks sound great and had we known, we would have done the same.

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  6. Ah! covered walk-ways aren't they just the best way to see a city ... sheltered from the sun or rain or wind.
    I just might be heading off to France before Christmas .... Paris then Sarlat in the Dordogne then back to Paris !!! A possibility at this stage but I'm writing my list of things to do .... It's ever SO long..
    I guess my most not-to-be-missed in Paris is to visit the flower markets north of the city ...apparently I would need to be there about 4am !! It's a matter of enticing my sister and her husband to arise that early .... Ever since I saw Carla Coulsen's captures I have wanted to go there.

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    1. Dianne,
      We stayed a week in the Dordogne at Le Bugue. Its in our Wednesdays in France somewhere. Great Villa bur Sarlat is much more central with more happening if in the old town.

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