Croix-Rousse or bust!

After returning from the market and a short sit down, we were off again. This time, heading for La Croix-Rousse District, which is also known as silk workers (Canuts) hill because this is where they used to live and work. There were many, many, many steps to climb, I lost count of how many. The effort was worth it for the views we had over Lyon from the top. On the way, we passed the two thousand year old Amphitheater des Trois Gaules, which was in pretty good condition considering its age.

After stopping at the main terrace to enjoy the view, we continued a bit further in search of the “Mur des Canuts”, which is the largest trompe de l’oeil (trick of the eye) fresco in Europe. The history of the mural began in 1986, when a company wanted to have a mural painted on a building wall along the Boulevard des Canuts that was a hideous eyesore. The mural painters of the cooperative CitéCréation were engaged to create a trompe l’oeil fresco, illustrating all that was typical of the Croix-Rousse district and its unique identity. They decided, in conjunction with the inhabitants of the Croix-Rousse, to design a work comprising buildings, courtyards, alleys and stairs, all with architecture mirroring that of their quarter. This became the largest painted wall in Europe and won acclaim, so much so, it was included in the living heritage of the City of Lyon.

In 1997, motivated by the huge success of the “Mur des Canuts”, which had made Lyon the French capital of mural painting and attracted millions of visitors, CitéCréation’s mural painters decided to breathe new life into this mural by updating it to reflect the changes that had occurred over the past decade. The buildings had changed, the colours had brightened, shops had opened on the ground floors, stairways had come alive and the characters in the first version had aged ten years.

In 2013, the CitéCréation’s mural painters once again used their fresco to reflect the changes that have occurred in the Croix-Rousse. They kept the original composition and spirit of the work, but they again updated the architecture, facades and shops, aged the characters fifteen years, added to families, gave life to the squares, stairways and alleys and, for this most recent version, a dimension of urban equity and sustainability. It is a really impressive piece of art which was worth the climb!

We then had to make our way back down into town, which was a much easier walk. On the way we stopped for a coffee and a cookie that we shared. We will be having a quiet night in after a big lunch and a very big walking day. We also were entertained by a flamenco dancer and her guitarist this evening.Baca lagi