Maison du Chamarier, Lyon
Historic Building in Lyon
The Maison du Chamarier is one of the must-see places in Lyon if you love atmospheric streets, historic facades, and stories that tie church power to everyday city life. Hidden in plain sight on Rue Saint-Jean, this former residence of the cathedral's financial officer feels like a snapshot of late medieval Lyon, when the Saint-Jean district buzzed with clerics, merchants, and craftsmen. Its finely carved stonework, mix of Gothic and early Renaissance details, and beautiful spiral staircase tower make it a rewarding stop even if you only admire it from the street.
Dating back to the 15th century and reworked in the 16th, the house takes its name from the chamarier, the high-ranking official responsible for the finances of Lyon's cathedral chapter. This was no modest townhouse: coats of arms, decorative carvings, and the elegant staircase all speak to the status and influence of its occupants. Today, the building is not always open to the public, but pausing here on a stroll through Vieux Lyon is a highlight of any walking tour of Lyon, especially if you enjoy noticing the quieter details that many people walk straight past.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Maison du Chamarier
- Things to See and Do in the Maison du Chamarier
- How to Get to the Maison du Chamarier
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Maison du Chamarier
- Where to Stay close to the Maison du Chamarier
- Is the Maison du Chamarier Worth Visiting?
- FAQs for Visiting Maison du Chamarier
- Nearby Attractions to the Maison du Chamarier
History and Significance of the Maison du Chamarier
In medieval Lyon, the cathedral chapter at Saint-Jean was one of the city's most powerful institutions, controlling land, revenues, and major decisions that affected the region. The chamarier, whose title comes from the Latin “camerarius” (chamberlain), acted as the financial manager of this chapter. The Maison du Chamarier was both his residence and his administrative base, a place where money, documents, and influence converged just a few steps from the cathedral itself.
The house’s core dates to the 15th century, a time when late Gothic architecture still dominated, but renovations and embellishments during the 16th century introduced early Renaissance elements. This layered history is visible today in the combination of pointed and rounded forms, the sculpted stone frames around windows, and the rhythm of the facade. The building’s stone detailing, including heraldic motifs and decorative flourishes, reflects the prestige of the office and the desire to project authority through architecture.
Over the centuries, the Maison du Chamarier's role shifted as church power waned, the city expanded, and Vieux Lyon evolved from a clerical quarter into a mixed residential and commercial district. Yet the house remains an important witness to the days when ecclesiastical and civic life were tightly intertwined. Its survival and classification as a historic monument help preserve not just a beautiful facade, but also a tangible link to the complex world of the medieval and Renaissance cathedral chapter.
Things to See and Do in the Maison du Chamarier
Most visitors will experience the Maison du Chamarier from the outside, and that's already a pleasure in itself. As you walk along Rue Saint-Jean, slow down when you reach the building and take time to study the facade. Look for the carved stone window surrounds, the subtle Gothic traces, and any coats of arms or ornamental motifs that hint at the building's former role as a seat of power and administration. The stonework rewards a close look, especially in the softer light of morning or late afternoon.
One of the standout features is the spiral staircase tower, considered one of the oldest in Lyon. Its vertical line breaks up the facade and adds a sense of movement and elegance, typical of high-status houses from this period. Try to imagine clergy and clerks moving up and down the steps, carrying ledgers, correspondence, or decisions that shaped the city's finances. Even if you can't enter, simply seeing the tower from the street adds extra depth to your understanding of how important families and officials expressed their rank through architecture.
Because the building is not always open to the public, interior visits are occasional and usually tied to specific events. During Heritage Days or special festivals, keep an eye out for temporary openings, exhibitions, or guided-tours that let you peek behind the facade. For the rest of the year, treat the Maison du Chamarier as one of the things to do in Lyon that fits perfectly into a relaxed wander: combine it with Saint-Jean Cathedral, nearby courtyards and traboules, and a riverside stroll for a rich, layered experience of the old town.
How to Get to the Maison du Chamarier
If you're arriving by air, you'll land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which offers regular flights from across Europe and beyond; from the airport, the Rhônexpress tram connects to central Lyon, where you can transfer to the metro and ride to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean, just a short walk from Rue Saint-Jean and the Maison du Chamarier. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.
Travelling by train, you'll arrive at either Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache. From Part-Dieu, take the metro via Bellecour to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean and then stroll into the Saint-Jean district; from Perrache, you can either walk along the river and cross into Vieux Lyon or use metro and tram links to reach the same station before continuing on foot. 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 coming by car, it's easiest to park on the Presqu'île or in an underground car park near the Saône, then cross one of the bridges into Vieux Lyon and explore on foot. 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. The narrow, cobbled streets of the old town are best enjoyed without a vehicle, and wandering is part of the charm of finding the Maison du Chamarier among the surrounding facades.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Maison du Chamarier
- Suggested tips: Bring a short list of nearby sights so you can weave the Maison du Chamarier into a self-guided loop around Vieux Lyon's key historic spots.
- Best time to visit: Late morning or late afternoon, when the light picks out the stone carvings and the street is lively but not overwhelmingly crowded.
- Entrance fee: Free to admire from the street; any occasional interior visits during special events may have their own conditions.
- Opening hours: There are no set visiting hours for the exterior; occasional interior access may be offered during Heritage Days or special city events.
- How long to spend: Plan 10-15 minutes to appreciate the facade and staircase tower, longer if you’re combining it with photography or a guided walk.
- Accessibility: Rue Saint-Jean is cobbled and can be uneven in places; visitors with reduced mobility should take care, but the building is easily viewed from the street.
- Facilities: There are no facilities at the house itself; cafés, restaurants, shops, and public toilets are plentiful along Rue Saint-Jean and nearby streets.
- Photography tip: Step back along Rue Saint-Jean to frame the entire facade and tower, then move closer to capture the carved details and window surrounds.
- Guided tours: Many guided-tours of Vieux Lyon reference the Maison du Chamarier, adding context about the cathedral chapter and the role of the chamarier.
- Nearby food options: After your visit, it’s easy to find a bouchon or café in the Saint-Jean district for a relaxed meal or a quick coffee between sightseeing stops.
Where to Stay close to the Maison du Chamarier
For a stay that puts you right in the heart of Vieux Lyon, Cour des Loges Lyon, a Radisson Collection Hotel offers historic charm in a cluster of Renaissance buildings just a short walk from Rue Saint-Jean and the Maison du Chamarier. It's ideal if you want to soak up the old town atmosphere from morning to night.
If you prefer something a little more playful but still very central, Collège Hôtel in the nearby Saint-Paul area provides quirky, school-themed decor and easy access to both banks of the Saône. From there, it's just a few minutes on foot to reach Vieux Lyon and wander down to the house.
For a base on the Presqu’île with quick access to the old town, Hôtel des Artistes sits right by the river. Cross the bridge and you're in Vieux Lyon, with the Maison du Chamarier and Saint-Jean Cathedral only a short, atmospheric walk away.
Is the Maison du Chamarier Worth Visiting?
The Maison du Chamarier is absolutely worth seeking out if you enjoy historic architecture and the quieter, more detailed side of city exploration. Even without stepping inside, the blend of Gothic and early Renaissance design, the finely worked stone, and the spiral staircase tower all tell a story about power, prestige, and the close ties between church and city in medieval Lyon. As part of a wider wander through Vieux Lyon, it adds an extra layer of depth and character to your understanding of the district.
What Other Travellers Say...
Maison du Chamarier on Rue Sainte-Croix is a Gothic and Renaissance 15th–16th century residence of a church dignitary, restored in 2015; visitors note its attractive Lyonnaise architecture visible from the street, and those who enter can discover a rear courtyard with a fountain, stairs and covered terraces, though at times it has been undergoing restoration and some say it's only viewable from outside.
FAQs for Visiting Maison du Chamarier
Nearby Attractions to the Maison du Chamarier
- Cathédrale Saint-Jean - Lyon's Gothic cathedral, with impressive stained glass and a historic astronomical clock, just a short stroll away.
- Place de la Basoche - A charming Renaissance square home to the Maison des Avocats and the Musée Cinéma et Miniature.
- Crible House (Pink Tower) - A picturesque courtyard with an ochre spiral staircase tower on Rue du Bœuf, another standout Renaissance residence.
- Saône River Quays - Scenic riverside paths perfect for a relaxed walk with views back toward Vieux Lyon and Fourvière Hill.
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière - The hilltop basilica overlooking the city, reachable by funicular from Vieux Lyon and offering panoramic views over the old town.
The Maison du Chamarier 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 set visiting hours for the exterior; occasional interior access may be offered during Heritage Days or special city events.
Free to admire from the street; any occasional interior visits during special events may have their own conditions.
Nearby Attractions
- Miniature and Cinema Museum (0.0) km
Museum - Place de la Basoche (0.0) km
Square - Cour d’Appel (0.1) km
Historic Building - Longue Traboule (0.1) km
Historic Building - Cathédrale Saint-Jean (0.1) km
Cathedral - La Tour Rose (The Pink Tower) (0.1) km
Historic Building and Tower - Vieux Lyon (0.2) km
Area - Saône River (0.2) km
River - Funiculaire de Lyon (0.2) km
Cable Car - Musée Gadagne (0.3) km
Museum
