La Tour Rose (The Pink Tower), Lyon
Historic Building and Tower in Lyon
Tucked into the narrow lanes of Vieux Lyon at 16 rue du Bœuf, Crible House-more famously known as the Pink Tower-might just be one of the top sights in Lyon for anyone who loves secret courtyards and Renaissance architecture. From the street, the entrance looks modest, but pass through the portal and you step into a small central courtyard dominated by the ochre-pink spiral staircase tower that gives the building its nickname. It's here that King Henry IV stayed briefly in 1600 during his marriage to Marie de Medici at nearby Saint-Jean Cathedral, and you can still feel a hint of that royal drama in the way the tower rises above the stone-paved courtyard.
Today, the building is a listed historic monument and home to the French Orthodox parish, while its name lives on in the nearby restaurant La Tour Rose, which originally occupied the ground floor. Architecturally, the Crible House stands out for its elegant Renaissance lines and distinctive colour palette, with the courtyard portal framed by a sculpted pediment that is unlike anything else on the street. Often visited on walking-tours of Lyon that weave through Vieux Lyon's traboules and courtyards, it's one of those places where you step off a busy tourist route and suddenly find yourself in a quiet, atmospheric pocket of history.
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History and Significance of the Crible House (Pink Tower)
Crible House dates back to the 16th century, when Vieux Lyon was flourishing as a merchant quarter tied to the silk trade and regional commerce. The surrounding streets of Saint-Jean were filled with wealthy townhouses, each trying to make a statement through decorative facades, hidden courtyards, and internal galleries. The Pink Tower fit neatly into this world: a compact but showy building whose spiral staircase tower, internal courtyard, and distinctive portal signalled both taste and status.
The house’s most famous chapter came in 1600, when King Henry IV stayed here during his marriage to Marie de Medici at the nearby cathedral. For a brief moment, this quiet courtyard became a backdrop to royal ceremony and political theatre, anchoring it firmly in French history. By the 17th century, the building had been divided into multiple dwellings, and records from 1676 describe refined interiors and a sign referencing royal billiards, hinting at entertainment and social life behind the stone walls.
The origin of the name “Crible” (“sieve”) remains a small mystery. One theory links it to Martin de Troyes, a 16th-century tax collector whose coat of arms may have featured a sieve; another suggests it referred to a decorative sign once hung on the facade, in keeping with Lyon’s tradition of using symbols and trade-related imagery on buildings. Whatever its origins, the name stuck, and despite later changes-including its current role as a French Orthodox parish-the Crible House has retained its Renaissance soul. In 1937, it was officially listed as a historic monument, cementing its status as one of Vieux Lyon’s signature landmarks.
Things to See and Do in the Crible House (Pink Tower)
The main “visit” experience at Crible House is about appreciating the courtyard and its famous tower rather than touring a full museum interior. Start by finding the discreet entrance at 16 rue du Bœuf-a street lined with handsome Renaissance façades and some of the district’s most picturesque buildings. Once through the portal, you step into the central courtyard, where the Pink Tower immediately commands attention with its ochre-pink plaster, narrow windows, and elegant spiral climbing upwards.
Take your time to walk around the courtyard, looking at the different angles of the tower and the way it connects to the surrounding wings of the house. The central portal framed by a pediment is particularly striking, especially when you compare it to the more understated entrances on the street outside. Even if the staircase itself is not accessible, simply standing in the courtyard and looking up gives you a strong sense of how this space would have functioned as a private yet prestigious core to the house.
Because the building now houses the French Orthodox parish, access to the interior beyond the courtyard may be limited or reserved for worshippers and specific events. That said, even a brief visit is rewarding: the combination of colour, stonework, and enclosed space makes it a favourite stop for photographers and architecture lovers. If you’re exploring Vieux Lyon’s traboules, make sure to include this courtyard on your route and pair it with nearby highlights like rue Saint-Jean, Saint-Jean Cathedral, and the riverside for a complete picture of the district.
How to Get to the Crible House (Pink Tower)
If you're arriving from abroad, you'll likely land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which has frequent flights from across Europe and beyond. From the airport, the Rhônexpress tram links to central Lyon, where you can connect to the metro and reach Vieux Lyon easily before walking a few minutes to 16 rue du Bœuf. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.
Coming by train, Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache are the main gateways. From Part-Dieu, you can take the metro to Bellecour and change to the line that crosses the Saône to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean, then walk up into the Saint-Jean district; from Perrache, it's either a direct tram/metro connection or a pleasant riverside walk across to Vieux Lyon followed by a short climb into the old town streets. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.
If you're travelling by car, it's usually best to park on the Presqu'île or in a car park near the Saône, then cross the river on foot to reach Vieux Lyon, where the streets are narrow, often pedestrianised, and not ideal for driving. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Once in the old town, follow the signs or map directions to rue du Bœuf-half the charm is simply wandering through the cobbled lanes until you find the right doorway.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Crible House (Pink Tower)
- Suggested tips: Treat your visit as part of a wider Vieux Lyon stroll-combine the Pink Tower with traboules, Saint-Jean Cathedral, and the riverfront for a full sense of the district.
- Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon offers softer light on the tower and fewer crowds in the courtyard and surrounding streets.
- Entrance fee: Free to enter the courtyard when open; access beyond may be restricted due to its role as a parish building.
- Opening hours: There are no strict visitor hours; courtyard access can vary, so aim for daytime visits and be respectful of any religious activities.
- How long to spend: Plan 10-20 minutes in the courtyard itself, plus extra time for exploring rue du Bœuf and other nearby sights in Vieux Lyon.
- Accessibility: The courtyard is accessed via a short passage from the street; surfaces are cobbled and slightly uneven, which may be challenging for visitors with reduced mobility.
- Facilities: There are no facilities on site; cafés, restaurants, and public toilets can be found throughout Vieux Lyon, especially along rue Saint-Jean and the riverfront.
- Photography tip: Stand near the courtyard entrance to capture the full height of the spiral tower, then move closer for details of the stucco, windows, and sculpted pediment.
- Guided tours: Many guided-tours of Vieux Lyon include a stop at the Pink Tower, offering extra anecdotes about Henry IV's stay and the building's changing uses.
- Nearby food options: Rue du Bœuf and the surrounding streets are full of bouchons and restaurants, making it easy to follow a courtyard visit with lunch or dinner in a classic Lyonnais setting.
Where to Stay close to the Crible House (Pink Tower)
For a stay right in the heart of Vieux Lyon, Cour des Loges Lyon, a Radisson Collection Hotel is just a short stroll from the Pink Tower. Set in a collection of Renaissance buildings with atmospheric courtyards and vaulted spaces, it’s ideal if you want to immerse yourself fully in the old town’s character.
If you prefer something a little more contemporary but still very central, Collège Hôtel in the nearby Saint-Paul area offers quirky school-themed decor and easy access to both Vieux Lyon and the Presqu'île. From here, it's only a few minutes on foot to rue du Bœuf and the Crible House.
For guests who want the charm of the old town but a touch more seclusion, La Tour Rose (if operating at the time of your visit) connects directly to the building’s history and name. Staying here places you just steps from the courtyard and tower, making it simple to explore the area early in the morning or later in the evening when the streets are quieter.
Is the Crible House (Pink Tower) Worth Visiting?
The Crible House, or Pink Tower, is definitely worth visiting if you're spending any time in Vieux Lyon. It won't take long to see, but the combination of its ochre-coloured spiral tower, royal connection to Henry IV, and layered history as a Renaissance townhouse-turned-parish make it a memorable stop. As part of a wider exploration of traboules, courtyards, and historic facades in the Saint-Jean district, it adds a distinctive splash of colour and character that helps bring Lyon's past to life.
What Other Travellers Say...
Traboule “Maison du Crible – Tour Rose” is an upscale guest accommodation in Lyon’s old town offering refined rooms and suites with a restaurant and lounge bar; guests praise its superb central location near restaurants, pedestrian streets and a church, and many find rooms spacious, clean and well designed, while others describe a charming suite-like experience. Reviewers note generally helpful staff and reasonable value for the quality, but several warn of an older building with dust and spiders, occasional elevator problems, a self-service access system requiring multiple codes and limited on-site staff which has led to access issues and late check-in logistics.
FAQs for Visiting Crible House (Pink Tower)
Nearby Attractions to the Crible House (Pink Tower)
- Cathédrale Saint-Jean - Vieux Lyon's landmark Gothic cathedral, just a short walk away, where Henry IV married Marie de Medici.
- Rue Saint-Jean - One of the main pedestrian streets in Vieux Lyon, lined with shops, bouchons, and historic façades.
- Traboules of Vieux Lyon - Hidden passageways linking courtyards and streets, offering a glimpse into the city's Renaissance urban fabric.
- Fourvière Basilica - The hilltop basilica overlooking Lyon, reachable by funicular from Vieux Lyon and offering superb city views.
- Saône River Quays - Scenic riverfront paths perfect for a stroll before or after exploring the old town and its courtyards.
The La Tour Rose (The Pink Tower) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lyon!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
There are no strict visitor hours; courtyard access can vary, so aim for daytime visits and be respectful of any religious activities.
Free to enter the courtyard when open; access beyond may be restricted due to its role as a parish building.
Nearby Attractions
- Longue Traboule (0.1) km
Historic Building - Vieux Lyon (0.1) km
Area - Miniature and Cinema Museum (0.1) km
Museum - Place de la Basoche (0.1) km
Square - Cour d’Appel (0.1) km
Historic Building - Musée Gadagne (0.1) km
Museum - Maison du Chamarier (0.1) km
Historic Building - Cathédrale Saint-Jean (0.2) km
Cathedral - Place du Change (0.2) km
Square - Parc des Hauteurs (0.3) km
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