Mur des Canuts, Lyon
Historic Site in Lyon
The Mur des Canuts is one of the best places to visit in Lyon if you love street art, urban photography, or places that mess playfully with your sense of reality. Covering the entire side of an apartment block in the Croix-Rousse district, this 1,200-square-metre mural looks, at first glance, like a real street scene: staircases zig-zag up the hill, balconies spill over with plants, neighbours chat, and even a bus appears to be pulling into a tiny square. It's only when you stop and really look that you realise almost everything in front of you is paint.
Created in the 1980s by the CitéCréation collective and updated several times since, the Mur des Canuts has evolved along with the neighbourhood it depicts. Some characters have been “aged,” details have changed, and the mural quietly reflects the passing of time in Croix-Rousse. It's often visited on walking-tours of Lyon that focus on the district's silk-weaving history and creative, bohemian feel, and it's the kind of place where you'll almost certainly hear someone gasp, “Wait… that's not real, is it?”
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History and Significance of Mur des Canuts
The mural takes its name from the “Canuts,” the silk workers who once defined the character of Croix-Rousse. In the 19th century, this hill was the beating heart of Lyon’s silk industry, with high-ceilinged workshops, steep streets, and a strong sense of working-class solidarity. When CitéCréation began painting large trompe-l’œil works around the city, it was natural that one of their most ambitious projects would pay tribute to this neighbourhood and its residents.
First completed in the 1980s, Mur des Canuts was designed not just as a pretty façade, but as a story in paint. It shows staircases, terraces, and scenes of everyday life that echo the real architecture and rhythms of Croix-Rousse, blending seamlessly into the actual urban fabric around it. Because of its sheer scale and level of detail, it quickly became a local landmark and a symbol of Lyon's commitment to public art.
What makes the mural particularly special is that it doesn't stay frozen in time. CitéCréation has returned several times to update it, adding new elements and subtly ageing some of the figures, just as the neighbourhood itself has changed with gentrification and new arrivals. In this way, Mur des Canuts has become a living artwork-a visual chronicle of Croix-Rousse that reminds you that cities, like murals, are always in progress.
Things to See and Do in Mur des Canuts
The main “thing to see” is the mural itself, but it rewards more than a quick glance. Start by stepping back far enough to take in the entire scene: you’ll see the illusion of a sunlit square, multiple levels of balconies, people going about their day, plants, and staircases leading your eye upwards. From this distance, it’s shockingly convincing, and you can understand why people sometimes mistake it for an actual street.
Then move closer and start picking out details. Look at the brushwork around the windows, the way shadows are painted to match real light, and the tiny storytelling touches-kids playing, conversations on balconies, laundry hanging out to dry. Try standing at different angles and distances; from some viewpoints, the line between painted and real architecture almost disappears. This spot is one of the best places to see in Mur des Canuts if you want to test your eye and your camera skills.
Once you've explored the mural, wander into the surrounding Croix-Rousse streets. Grab a coffee at a nearby café, follow staircases and passages up or down the hill, and keep an eye out for other bits of street art and references to the silk-weaving past. Visiting Mur des Canuts is a perfect excuse to spend time in a neighbourhood that feels quite different from the more polished Presqu'île below.
How to Get to Mur des Canuts
Most visitors arriving from farther afield will land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which has frequent flights from across Europe and beyond; from the airport, the Rhônexpress tram runs into the city, where you can connect to the metro network for Croix-Rousse. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.
If you're coming by train, Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache stations are your main gateways. From Part-Dieu, you can ride the metro and then change to Line C towards Croix-Rousse, getting off at stations like Croix-Rousse or Hénon, from where it's a short walk to the mural; from Perrache, you can take metro or tram connections into the centre and then up towards the hill. 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.
Travelling by car, you can follow signs towards Croix-Rousse and look for on-street parking or small car parks in the neighbourhood, but streets are often narrow and spaces limited, especially at busy times. 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. Many visitors find it easier to park on the Presqu'île or at a park-and-ride, then use the metro and a brief uphill walk to reach Mur des Canuts.
Practical Tips on Visiting Mur des Canuts
- Suggested tips: Take a few minutes to walk around the block and compare the painted “architecture” to the real buildings nearby; it makes the illusion even more impressive.
- Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon light tends to be softer and more flattering for photos, and the square is usually calmer than at midday.
- Entrance fee: Free — Mur des Canuts is a public mural you can enjoy from the street at any time.
- Opening hours: Visible 24/7 from the street; surrounding cafés and shops keep typical daytime opening hours.
- Official website: https://en.lyon-france.com
- How long to spend: Around 20-40 minutes is enough to admire the mural, take photos, and explore the immediate surroundings; longer if you combine it with a wider Croix-Rousse wander.
- Accessibility: The area around the mural is on a slope but the viewing points are on paved streets; visitors with reduced mobility may prefer approaches that avoid the steepest staircases.
- Facilities: There are no dedicated facilities at the mural itself, but cafés, bakeries, and small supermarkets in the neighbourhood provide toilets for customers and snacks nearby.
- Photography tip: Step back to a corner of the square to capture the full mural, then zoom in for detail shots of “people” and balconies; try including a real passer-by for an extra layer of illusion.
- Guided tours: Several guided walks of Croix-Rousse include Mur des Canuts as a key stop, often combining it with silk-weaving history, traboules, and other murals.
- Nearby food options: You’ll find plenty of casual spots and local bistros in Croix-Rousse-perfect for a coffee before your visit or a relaxed lunch afterwards.
Where to Stay close to Mur des Canuts
If you want to immerse yourself in the neighbourhood’s village-like feel, staying up on the hill is a great option. Hôtel de la Croix-Rousse puts you within easy reach of Mur des Canuts and the lively Croix-Rousse market, with cafés and local shops right on your doorstep.
For a base that balances local character with easy access to the rest of the city, Collège Hôtel near the Saône offers a quirky school-themed décor and quick connections up to Croix-Rousse by bus or metro. From here, you can explore both the hillside and Vieux Lyon without changing hotels.
Another convenient option is Hôtel de Paris, located between the Presqu'île and Croix-Rousse. It's ideal if you want to walk to central sights like Place des Terreaux and then head uphill to Mur des Canuts for a half-day exploration of the mural and surrounding streets.
Is Mur des Canuts Worth Visiting?
Mur des Canuts is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy street art, urban photography, or neighbourhoods with strong local character. It's not just a pretty picture-it's a clever, evolving artwork that captures the spirit of Croix-Rousse and shows how public art can become part of a city's identity. Standing in front of it, watching people double-take as they realise what's real and what's painted, is a simple but memorable Lyon moment. Paired with a wander through the hill's staircases, markets, and cafés, it easily earns its place on your Lyon itinerary.
What Other Travellers Say...
Mur des Canuts at 36 Bd des Canuts in Lyon is a vast, highly detailed street fresco depicting a neighborhood of silk workers who rebelled against poor conditions; visitors praise its scale, perspective and endless fine details, call it a must-see and a great photo spot, and note it can be admired in a short visit with occasional touch-ups to the figures that add to the realism.
FAQs for Visiting Mur des Canuts
Nearby Attractions to Mur des Canuts
- Saône River Quays - Scenic riverbanks below the hill, perfect for a contrasting stroll after exploring the steep streets and murals of Croix-Rousse.
- Croix-Rousse Market - A lively local market (especially on boulevard de la Croix-Rousse) with fresh produce, cheese, and regional specialities.
- Croix-Rousse Traboules - Historic passageways once used by silk workers, some of which are still accessible and fun to explore.
- Plateau de la Croix-Rousse - The hilltop “village” area with cafés, shops, and viewpoints over the city.
- Place des Terreaux - A major square downhill on the Presqu'île, home to the Hôtel de Ville and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, easily reached by metro or a walk.
The Mur des Canuts 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
Visible 24/7 from the street; surrounding cafés and shops keep typical daytime opening hours.
Free - Mur des Canuts is a public mural you can enjoy from the street at any time.
Nearby Attractions
- Amphitheater of the Three Gauls (0.9) km
Roman Site - Hôtel de Ville de Lyon (1.3) km
Historic Building - Place des Terreaux (1.3) km
Square - Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon (1.3) km
Museum - Opéra National de Lyon (1.3) km
Opera House - Place du Change (1.5) km
Square - Musée Gadagne (1.6) km
Museum - Metallic Tower of Fourvière (1.6) km
Tower - Vieux Lyon (1.7) km
Area - La Tour Rose (The Pink Tower) (1.7) km
Historic Building and Tower
