The Passage des Imprimeurs is a discreet historic passageway located in the Presqu'île district, between Rue Mercière and the shopping streets of central Lyon. This passage evokes the golden age of Lyon's printing industry during the Renaissance, a period when Lyon was one of the greatest European book centers after Venice and Paris.
A traboule linked to the history of Lyon's books
The passage takes its name from the numerous printers, booksellers, and typographers established in this area as early as the 16th century. At that time, Rue Mercière constituted the intellectual and commercial heart of Lyon's publishing industry.
- printing workshops; ;
- humanist bookstores; ;
- dissemination of religious and scientific works; ;
- publications in Latin, French and Italian.
Lyon was then home to renowned printers such as Sébastien Gryphe or Jean de Tournes, whose works circulated throughout Europe.
Architecture and atmosphere
The Passage des Imprimeurs retains the spirit of the old traboules of Lyon:
- narrow corridors; ;
- paved inner courtyards; ;
- discreet galleries; ;
- old facades of the Presqu'île.
The place has a more intimate atmosphere than the large traboules of Old Lyon. Many visitors pass by without noticing it, making it a welcome discovery for lovers of hidden heritage.
An iconic section of Mercière Street
The passage is located in one of the liveliest streets in Lyon's historic center. Rue Mercière, now famous for its restaurants and terraces, was once an important commercial street linked to the book trade and the activity of printers.
This transformation of the neighborhood perfectly illustrates the evolution of Lyon:
- merchant district during the Renaissance; ;
- gradual decline in the 19th century; ;
- A tourist and gastronomic revival in the 20th century.
Heritage value
The Passage des Imprimeurs allows us to understand several essential aspects of Lyon's history:
- Lyon's major role in European printing; ;
- the organization of the old traboules; ;
- the dense urban planning of the Presqu'île; ;
- the artisanal life of the Renaissance.
Even though modest, this passage contributes to the unique historical identity of Lyon and its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
