The condition of the Silks

The Condition des Soies, an industrial establishment in the heart of Lyon, holds significant importance in the history of silk, an emblematic industry of the region. Built between 1804 and 1814, this building, located at 7 rue Saint-Polycarpe, in Lyon's 1st arrondissement, on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse, played a crucial role in the trade of the precious silk thread.

Classified as a historical monument since 1980, the Condition des Soies (Silk Conditioning Building) testifies to the glorious past of the silk industry in Lyon. Originally located on Place Saint-Pierre, this establishment was moved to its current location in 1814. Under the impetus of Napoleon I and the leaders of the factory, the city entrusted the construction of this building to the Lyon architect Joseph-Jean-Pascal Gay.

The Silk Conditioning Office's primary mission was to establish the dry weight of silk to guarantee a specific moisture content, thus ensuring fairness in the trade of this precious thread. This operation, known as product drying, was crucial due to the significant variation in the total weight of silk depending on its moisture content.

Over time, this establishment evolved to meet the growing needs of the silk industry. In 1885, the Lyon Chamber of Commerce created the Silk Research Laboratory, located on the second floor of the Silk Conditioning Building. This laboratory was dedicated to the study of the silkworm, the silk-producing insect, as well as to improving silk-throwing and weaving techniques.

Today, the Condition des Soies building has been renovated to house the municipal library of the 1st arrondissement, the veterans' association, and the Quartier Vitalité community center. This historically significant site remains a symbol of the silk industry and the ingenuity of Lyon's people in the field of textiles. By visiting this building, you will delve into Lyon's fascinating past and discover the importance of silk in the region's economic and cultural development.