Fort de Loyasse, Military fort in 9th arrondissement of Lyon, France
Fort de Loyasse is a military fortress built on a hilltop in Lyon's 9th arrondissement with two stacked platform levels. The lower level features three bastions while the upper level has two bastions, each positioned to command different views of the surrounding territory.
The fortress was built between 1836 and 1840 after the July Revolution to protect Lyon from potential attacks from Austria in the east. It remained a defensive position until 1947, when the military finally abandoned it.
The name "Loyasse" comes from an old valley stream that once flowed through this area. Walking around the structure gives a sense of how the landscape has changed while this landmark has remained.
Interior access to the fort is not publicly available, but you can view the exterior bastions and stonework from the lower area around the site. The location sits on a hillside, so expect a moderately steep walk to reach it.
After the military stopped using the fortress, its underground galleries were briefly repurposed for growing mushrooms. This unexpected conversion shows how resourcefully previous generations found new uses for the abandoned military space.
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