Here lies the Montée de Loyasse a small street with a big story. This ascent is more than just a path. It connects us to Lyon’s history. It even leads to where many of Lyon’s ancestors rest.
The Montée de Loyasse is a tiny street in Saint Just. It rises from Rue de Trion. The street ends where the Rue Prévost and Rue Gerlier meet. It is a pleasant route to take. You can continue via the stairs on Rue Cardinal Gerlier. These stairs lead to the Jardin Chollet. This garden climbs the Fourvière hill.
Notice the chain blocking the lower part of the street. About ten cars park here. The Montée de Loyasse is practical too.
Look at the architecture. On the even-numbered side are two stone houses. They have three floors. Their style dates back to the 19th century. On the odd-numbered side to the west a tall wall protects a garden. Large trees grow behind it. A house sits at the corner of Rue Cardinal Gerlier. The most interesting part is the beautiful stone arch at number 1 Montée de Loyasse. Take a closer look.
The Montée de Loyasse got its name because it once led to the Loyasse Cemetery. It allowed people to travel from Saint Just to the cemetery. The street is only forty meters long. It is now separated from its cemetery.
Once this slope led to a flat area near a bastion. From there one could reach the Loyasse Cemetery. The cemetery was designed starting in 1807. Lyon’s ancestors have been buried here since 1811. This is for the first burials.
In 2023 nothing had changed here yet. There will be changes soon. A building permit has been submitted. It is for the corner of Rue Prévost.
The Loyasse Cemetery is the oldest active cemetery in Lyon. It was created in 1807. The cemetery sits on the north side of Fourvière hill. It is west of the Basilica of Fourvière.
The total area of the Loyasse Cemetery is about 12 hectares. The old cemetery is about 4.5 hectares. The new cemetery is larger. The bus line 90 stops at the Loyasse Cemetery.
The cemetery has a Muslim section. It is located in the old cemetery. The Montée de Loyasse reminds us of this history.
From 1812 the Loyasse Cemetery became Lyon’s first modern cemetery. It holds 30000 graves. There are also 200 chapels and monuments. Famous people from Lyon are buried here. Édouard Herriot and Pauline Jaricot rest here. The most famous grave belongs to Nizier-Anthelme Philippe. He was buried here in 1905. He is better known as Mage Philippe.
The Cemetery of Loyasse is known as the four winds cemetery. Its location on Fourvière makes it exposed. It is the oldest cemetery in Lyon. It is known for its architecture and monuments.
The Montée de Loyasse connects the living with the memory of the past.