Vieux Lyon

In the fifteenth century, the French kings decided to make Lyon the silk capital of France. Generous financial incentives lured Italian and other European silk makers to Lyon. These efforts were successful and Lyon became the silk capital of Europe by the eighteenth century. As the silk industry expanded Lyon's population grew at an explosive rate. Buildings were crammed against each other in the Vieux Lyon. Cobblestone streets, Renaissance houses, and the colorful building facades give this area a jovial Italian air. This is in contrast to the more dignified and elegant feel of the French buildings from the same era. Most workers were illiterate; even the better educated ones did not all speak French. Small statues on street corners indicated the name of the street. La rue de boeuf (the street of the ox) is a typical street intersection in Vieux Lyon. A statue of an ox indicated the name of this street. The lettered street sign is a modern addition that was added much later. A nearby street is named Rue des Trois Maries and had a statue of the three Marys from the New Testament. Unfortunately many all of these statues have not survived.