21/43.- Lyon, Place Louis Pradel 2

We are back in the Louis Pradel Square --the Opera House sits at our right. In this square there are three nice modern sculptures. You saw one of them on a previous page, and here you can see the two other ones.

Lyon is also famous for its silk industry. Although this industry does not have its base here anymore, Lyon used to dominate the silk trade in Europe. Currently a couple of museums recall those glory days. The Museum of Fabrics, which recalls the use of weaving and the use of textiles from the 18th century to our days --34 Rue de la Charite, the ticket is also valid for the adjoining Museum of Decorative Arts. The other silk related museum is the "Maison des Canuts", which shows the weaving techniques of the 'canuts Lyonnais'. A 'Canut' was a skilled weaver. All his family used to help him. In the 19th century the Canuts settled in the Croix-Rousse quarter. These weavers made Lyon's silk goods famous throughout the world.

[Next »]