Driven by its silk trade, Lyon became France’s principal industrial city in the 18th century, and canut was the name given to Lyon’s expert silk weavers during the 18th and 19th centuries. The expression comes from the word canette, which is a wooden tool used in the production of silk. These weavers had a significant influence on the great movements of social thought from around this time in history.

To find out more, you will need to climb to the upper reaches of Lyon and, more specifically, to the Croix-Rousse district. From there, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views over the city and the Fourvière basilica.
 

Next stop is the Maison des Canuts, where you will find out about the fascinating history of Lyon’s silk trade in an original silk workshop. The museum offers a guided tour with an accompanying lesson in weaving, using restored machinery from a bygone era.

The museum also offers a guided tour of Lyon’s traboules. These are hidden, narrow alleyways that run through the city’s buildings, connecting one street to another. 

These passages enabled the silk workers to transport their textiles throughout the city and, notably, their shortcuts provided straight line access from the Croix-Rousse neighborhood to the central Presqu’île district.
The tour finishes at the Place des Terreaux, in the heart of the Presqu’île.

Allow for 50 minutes for a tour of the Maison des Canuts, and 90 minutes for the tour of the Croix-Rousse’s traboules.

Opening hours :

Tuesday-Sunday : from 10am to 6:30pm

Closed on Sundays