Listen closely. What if these walls could talk? Here at the Cour des Voraces, they would tell tales of silk workers, secret passages, and daring resistance.
The Cour des Voraces is a major symbol of Lyon. This courtyard building stands in the Pentes quarter. It’s in Lyon’s 1st arrondissement. People know it for its impressive six-floor stairway.
Built in 1840, the Cour des Voraces exemplifies folk architecture. The canuts or Lyonnais silk workers built it. The silk industry deeply impacted this neighborhood. A plaque reminds us. It says that in the Cour des Voraces, canuts struggled for their lives and their dignity.
The name “Voraces” comes from a group of weavers. These Voraces weavers were known for their republican insurrections. They fought in 1848 and 1849.
Some say the Cour des Voraces gave refuge to canuts during their revolts. This might refer to fighting in the second uprising of Voraces in 1849. The building once housed a mutual organization of canuts named Le Devoir Mutuel. Some believe the word “Devoirant” corrupted into “Voraces”. Devoirant means Le Devoir Mutuel members.
The traboules of Lyon offered dark secret passages during World War II. These passages were little known to outsiders. The resistance networks used them to evade German surveillance. The Cour des Voraces is often mentioned as a symbol of resistance.
Father Bernard Devers led the Habitat et Humanisme Association. In 1995, they bought the Cour des Voraces. They started rehabilitating the court. It became a symbol of social housing.
The courtyard and its two staircases are classified as a monument historique. The monumental staircase dominates the lower court. It is visible from Place Colbert. The staircase construction was a technical and architectural feat. It happened in the early 19th century. The staircase is attached to the central building. It runs the entire width and height of the north facade.
The staircase shares its passageways with the building. Its north facade serves the building. The straight flights are superimposed. They have a very open wall on the courtyard side. The straight flights rest on oblique stringers. Each stringer is a single massive stone. The stone blocks weigh many tons. Yet, they are precisely adjusted. At the top of the staircase, the upper level is built of wood. It follows the same style.
The Cour des Voraces is original complex and consistent. The staircase enriches the north facade. It captures the attention of every passerby. This six-story staircase distinguishes the building. It is different from all other buildings in the neighborhood. The staircase summarizes the strong identity of the Cour de Voraces.
The configuration is complex. Two superimposed courtyards are linked. A large open staircase connects them. The look is consistent. It is typical of the neighborhood. The buildings are tall. The openings are huge. The whole structure serves buildings of significant and relatively uniform height. The buildings are all about 180 years old.
As you stand here, imagine the canuts rushing through. Picture the resistance fighters planning in secret. The Cour des Voraces is more than just a building. It is a living testament to Lyon’s history.