14 Beef Street
The house at 14 rue du Bœuf once belonged to the Croppet de Varissan family, an influential lineage in Lyon. In one corner of the courtyard is a well surmounted by a stone pyramid, erected by the Canon-Counts of Lyon to commemorate the services rendered by the Croppet family. During the siege of Lyon by the Baron des Adrets in 1562, one of the family members hid valuable Church documents and relics there.
The Croppets, originally from Cologne, settled in Lyon in 1480. Their house, built in the 16th century, has undergone few modifications since then. The architectural ensemble consists of two buildings connected by a gallery on each floor. This gallery, at the end of which is a staircase, allows communication between the buildings. It shows a perspective drawing of the pyramidal monument mentioned above.
The courtyard at 14 rue du Bœuf is a remarkable example of Lyon architecture. Upon entering, one is immediately struck by an elegant entrance archway composed of two semicircular arches, separated by a central pendentive bearing a coat of arms. This seemingly light element appears to defy the laws of balance, adding an almost magical touch to the whole.
In the center of the courtyard stands a semi-octagonal tower, resting on both the rear wall and three pillars supporting two sloping arches. These arches, shaped like squinches, lend the structure architectural stability while maintaining an airy feel. The spiral staircase that ascends the tower is punctuated by small windows, which subtly shift as one climbs, bringing light and dynamism to the structure.
This courtyard, with its harmonious and complex elements, bears witness to the know-how of the architects and craftsmen of the Lyon Renaissance, creating a space that is both functional and visually impressive.
Each floor has three openings: two small, semicircular arched bays and a rectangular bay divided into four sections by prismatic mullions. The transverse mullion is missing, but its outline is still visible. The gallery features lower arches characteristic of certain older houses, particularly those on Rue Treize-Cantons and Montée Saint-Barthélemy. This architecture appears to have been designed to optimize the space between the jambs and create a wide opening for communication.
