Villa Gillet, Historic villa in Croix-Rousse district, Lyon, France
Villa Gillet is an Italian-style residence in Lyon featuring varied building heights, low-slope roofs, and horizontally oriented façades decorated with painted friezes. The property spans several hectares with terraced grounds equipped with balconies, and includes a former caretaker's house and stable buildings alongside the main villa.
Architect Joseph Folléa designed the residence between 1911 and 1913 for the Gillet family, who transformed textile manufacturing through innovative silk-dyeing methods. The property was built during a prosperous period of Lyon's silk industry and reflects the wealth of these industrial innovators.
The villa now operates as an international center for contemporary writing, hosting literary festivals, author readings, and cultural discussions throughout the year. Visitors encounter writers and participate in conversations about current literary topics.
The property is accessed from rue Chazière with entrances from multiple street approaches, making orientation straightforward. The extensive grounds allow for leisurely exploration and connect to an active cultural program with rotating events and activities.
Lyon initiated a restoration project that collects historical photographs from 1911 to 1980 to document architectural details for preservation. This photograph collection allows visitors to trace subtle changes in the building over decades.
Location: 4th arrondissement of Lyon
Architects: Joseph Folléa
Address: 25 Rue Chazière, 69004 Lyon, France
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 14:00-18:00; Friday 14:00-17:00
Phone: +33478270248
Website: http://villagillet.net
GPS coordinates: 45.77524,4.81663
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
Lyon offers photographers many opportunities beyond the usual routes. This selection leads through different city districts and shows both historical and contemporary subjects. In Vieux Lyon you'll find narrow streets and hidden passages between old buildings, while Croix-Rousse reveals workers' courtyards and murals that tell the story of the area's industrial past. The traboules, narrow passages connecting streets, often link several buildings and create interesting light conditions. The hills of Fourvière display Roman structures like the ancient theater and the remains of aqueducts, while modern architecture such as the Orange Cube or the Musée des Confluences provides contrast. Several gardens at different elevations offer varying perspectives on the city: the Rose Garden in La Mulatière, the Rosa Mir Garden tucked into the courtyards of Croix-Rousse, or the Parc des Hauteurs above the city. The banks of the Rhône and smaller squares like Place Colbert round out the selection, showing everyday life in different neighborhoods of Lyon.
Parc de la Cerisaie
166 m
Clos Jouve
396 m
Église Saint-Charles de Serin
316 m
Saint Joseph
523 m
Duplex
87 m
Petit monastère Lumière de l'Immaculée - Petites sœurs de l'Agneau
510 m
Statue de la Vierge à l'Enfant
500 m
Villa Chazière
409 m
Petit parc Serin
460 m
Parc Chazière
384 m
Impasse Berger street sign dedicated to Patrice Berger
470 m
Vierge à l'Enfant
499 m
Work of art, sculpture
53 m
Mimi
43 m
La Fanny
388 m
Nouages
521 m
Fresque "La Route de la Soie"
502 m
Installation artwork, bench, Work of art
408 m
Installation artwork, bench, Work of art
427 m
Sculpture, Work of art
45 m
Colonne
51 m
Sculpture, Work of art
56 m
Commemorative plaque, memorial
523 m
Memorial, commemorative plaque
484 m
Memorial, commemorative plaque
416 m
Chapelle Sainte Monique
336 m
Immeuble Bà Hà
473 m
Memorial
108 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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