- 5-6 place Rouville, Lyon 1
- What you see
- What you need to know
The Maison Brunet, also known as the "house with 365 windows," is a building in the La Croix-Rousse district of Lyon's 1st arrondissement. Its fascinating history is closely linked to Claude Brunet, a merchant and manufacturer who shaped this iconic building. Claude had an ambitious dream: to build a building intended for renting apartments to Lyon's workers.
Yet, despite his efforts, workers often preferred to live on the Croix-Rousse plateau, then separated from the city of Lyon, because they paid much less tax there. Despite the obstacles, Claude Brunet pursued his project with determination.
The Brunet House, a living testament to his ambition, was built between 1810 and 1825 on land purchased by Claude at Clos Saint Benoit. He wanted to represent in this building the divisions of the year and the signs of the times. But the realization of his dream left him in debt, and he died in poverty.
The architecture of the house is remarkable. Rectangular in shape, it follows a unique concept based on calendar numbers: 365 windows to symbolize the days of the year, 52 apartments for the weeks, 7 floors for the days of the week, and 4 entrances and interior staircases for the seasons.
During the canuts' revolt in 1831, the Brunet house was the scene of tumultuous scenes. Transformed into a fortress, it sheltered the insurgents who put up fierce resistance to government forces.
During the second insurrection, two years later, the Brunet house was nearly bombed. Fortunately, thanks to negotiations led by Father Pierre Pousset, parish priest of the Saint-Bruno des Chartreux church, the bombing was averted.
Today, the Maison Brunet remains a symbol of resilience and history. Its remarkable architecture and eventful past make it a must-see during your visit to Lyon.
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