Fort Saint-Irénée, Military fort in 5th arrondissement, Lyon, France.
Fort Saint-Irénée is a five-sided military fortress in Lyon featuring moats and bastions positioned at corners. The structure has been converted into student housing with apartments, a library, gym, and music studio.
The fortress was built between 1834 and 1842 under King Louis-Philippe to strengthen Lyon's defenses following earlier occupations. Its construction came as a response to military vulnerabilities the city had faced.
The site once housed the Franco-Chinese Institute, where Chinese students studied from 1920 to 1946, leaving behind collections that enriched Lyon's libraries and cultural institutions.
The site is now open for student living with various facilities distributed throughout the grounds. Access points are located around the perimeter, and the location sits near major transportation connections.
Five arches of an ancient Roman aqueduct remain preserved within the grounds, linking modern student facilities to ancient infrastructure. These remnants show how different historical periods coexist in the same space.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
