Early urbanization XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Major axis with shaft buildings.
1788
705 looms for weaving
705 looms for weaving 1788 (≈ 1788)
Massive presence of Canuts.
1831
Canut revolt
Canut revolt 1831 (≈ 1831)
Protesters' passage to the Capuchins.
1835
First French cooperative
First French cooperative 1835 (≈ 1835)
Foundation by Derrion and Reynier.
1895
Test of Berliet's slipper
Test of Berliet's slipper 1895 (≈ 1895)
First car tested here.
1971-1999
Renovations and garden creation
Renovations and garden creation 1971-1999 (≈ 1985)
Controversial urban transformation.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Michel Derrion - Co-operator
Founded the first cooperative in 1835.
Joseph Reynier - Co-operator
Co-founder of True and Social Trade.
Marius Berliet - Automotive industry
Tested his slipper in 1895.
Origin and history
The climb of the Grande-Côte, located in the area of the slopes of the Croix-Rousse in Lyon 1er, owes its name to its steep elevation. It is 400 metres long and departs from the Place des Capucins to reach the Fernand-Rude esplanade, crossing the garden of the Grande Côte. Its medieval odonymy reflects its topography, with spelling variants like Grand'Cote attested over the centuries.
In medieval times, this country road was lined with vineyards and agricultural land. As early as the 16th century, it became a major urban axis, linking the Presquíle to the Saint Sebastian Gate (or the Croix-Rousse). This period witnessed early urbanization, well before that of the rest of the hill in the 18th century. The track was already home to Canuts, with 705 looms identified in 1788.
The ascent played a key role during the Revolt of Canuts in 1831, serving as a passage for workers descending to the merchant district (Condition of Silks). Between 1854 and 1930, rue des Pierres Plantées was integrated. In the 20th century, controversial renovations (from 1971 onwards) transformed its urban fabric, leading in 1999 to the creation of the Jardin de la Grande Côte and the Fernand-Rude esplanade, offering a panorama of Lyon.
No.95 houses a plaque commemorating the first French consumer cooperative, Le commerce veridique et social, founded in 1835 by Michel Derrion and Joseph Reynier. In 1895 Marius Berliet tested his first car, the Pantoufle, which ended his race in a carcutier window. The ascent also preserves emblematic traboules, such as that of the n°9-13 (1986), offering a view of Fourvière, or 13th-century sled windows (n°100).
Among the architectural peculiarities are the rising traboules with detours (n°59, 69), old houses with staircases, and traces of religious heritage, such as a niche once housing a statue of the Virgin (disappeared in the early twentieth century). The part between the streets of the Tables Claudiennes and Burdeau has retained its original width, recalling its historical path.
