The Montée du Gourguillon is an ancient and picturesque street located in Lyon's 5th arrondissement, on the slopes of Fourvière hill, connecting the Saint-Jean and Saint-Just neighbourhoods. It is approximately 400 metres long with a height difference of 53 metres, giving an average gradient of around 13.25%. Completely paved, the climb is lined with 15th-century medieval houses, some of which feature windows decorated with fantastical and grotesque animals, as well as rare half-timbered houses visible in the Turquet cul-de-sac. The street is pedestrianised but accessible to residents, with a charm marked by its historic architecture and small, regular steps on the pavement.
Historically, the Montée du Gourguillon is one of the oldest roads in Lyon, dating back to the Gallo-Roman period, when it served as the main link between the lower town on the Saône and the Fourvière hill. Its name comes from the Latin ‘gurgulio,’ meaning ‘throat,’ probably in reference to its shape or bloody events of the past. Heavily used until the 15th century, it connected the village of Saint-Just perched on the hill with the commercial districts along the Saône. The hill has seen historical figures such as Pope Clement V and King Philip the Fair pass by in 1305, during a ceremony when a wall collapsed, causing several casualties. Today, it preserves architectural and cultural evidence steeped in history, complemented by the presence of emblematic places such as the Place de la Trinité at the bottom of the climb, famous for its link with the traditional Guignol theatre.
Source: Ruesdelyon.net
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