Is it possible this steep slope in front of you was once underwater? Welcome to Montée des Épies. This is a unique street in Lyon. Today we will delve into its story. We will learn how it got its curious name.
Montée des Épies is a street in the Vieux Lyon district. It is located in Lyon’s 5th arrondissement. The street begins on Rue Saint-Georges. It ends on Montée du Gourguillon. Montée des Épies stretches for 210 meters.
Once known as Rue des Pies de Fuer the name change is interesting. The current name appeared in records around 1680. It possibly comes from the land’s division. The area was split into three “pies”. A pie was a unit of surface area.
Claude Le Viste charted the path in 1535. He wanted to serve his vineyards. The Montée des Épies we see today is not much different.
Interestingly in 1581 the street had only seven or eight houses. Sadly the first plague victim died here on Montée des Épies.
The Montée des Épies is quite steep. Its lower part is accessible to vehicles. The upper third splits. One side has stairs. The other side has a rainwater collector.
Look closely at number 14. Notice the beautiful stones. They have rounded fossils. See the lion’s head at the door’s base? At number 15 there is a glimpse. It offers a view of a hidden garden.
Numbers 18 to 24 form a charming group. These are small one-story houses. Number 18 has a double arch. Number 21 has staggered windows. This adds to the street’s charm.
After the second bend, you walk between garden walls. Eventually, the path reaches Gourguillon. On the south side a door leads to the Epies sports field. It’s a flat area on this steep slope. A small garden offers a beautiful view. You can see Saint Georges’ roofs the cathedral and the Lyon’s eastern side.
The Montée des Épies. It is more than just a steep street. It’s a journey through Lyon’s past. A reminder of vineyards plagues and hidden beauty. Its unique architecture and charming details make it worth the climb.