Picture this a steep staircase clinging to the northern flank of Fourvière Hill. This is the Montée du Greillon in Lyon France. It’s a twin to the Montée de la Sarra on the other side of the Pierre Scize rock. This charming climb starts at Quai Pierre Scize. It offers breathtaking views of the Saône valley.
The Montée du Greillon is more than just a staircase. It’s a journey through time. Imagine walking its path centuries ago. It was once a simple road. It hugged the exterior of the city’s ancient ramparts in the late 16th century. Think of the people who walked here. Famous artists like André Pestalozzi and Joseph Chinard once lived nearby. Less known is Fleury Epinat. He lived at number 10 until his death in 1830.
As you ascend the Montée du Greillon notice the architecture. On the west side you’ll see buildings. There is a house with a distinctive pointed glass roof. To the east a beautiful stone annex of a large warehouse stands. It partially obscures the remaining part of the Pierre Scize rock. It’s a dizzying sight here. The wall gives way to a low wall. Above it a grove climbs the rock face. Further up you’ll see concrete pillars supporting a waterworks building. The slope then softens into a grassy area.
The Montée du Greillon is not just visually stunning. It has a rich history. For a long time this part of Fourvière Hill was known as the Hill of the Cricket or Greillon. At the beginning of the 20th century number 12 housed two renowned springs. A darker tale is told of number 1. Two intrepid explorers once ventured into an underground passage. They found a lake beneath the Loyasse cemetery. The water service’s version is less romantic. They describe a 25-meter-deep underground passage with a small water reservoir.
Today the Montée du Greillon continues to offer stunning views. It remains a quiet retreat amid the hustle and bustle of Lyon. It allows a reflective moment to contemplate the city’s rich past. Its history is etched in the stones. Its charm is found in the views. The Montée du Greillon is a path to connect with Lyon’s layered past. A gentle reminder that history lives on even in the simplest of climbs.