Funiculaire de Saint-Paul - Fourviere, Historical funicular in Vieux Lyon, France

The Saint-Paul Fourviere funicular was an underground cable railway in Lyon that stretched 514 meters from Saint-Paul station up to Fourviere hill. The system used tunnels to bridge the height difference between the old town and the upper plateau.

The railway opened in December 1900 and operated until December 1937, primarily transporting funeral processions to Loyasse Cemetery. Service continued for about 37 years before closing.

Locals called it the "ficelle des morts" because a tramway continued from the upper platform to Loyasse Cemetery, carrying coffins up the hill; the truck platform was built for them. The busiest days were around Toussaint, when families travelled up to the graves. The line closed on 25 December 1937 for lack of profitability.

The lower station remains visible near Saint-Paul station, while the upper station has largely disappeared except for tunnel vault remnants. The remaining structures require caution when exploring and are accessible via streets in the old town.

The line's power plant burned coal carried up on the same flatbed truck that held the coffins, so fuel and cargo travelled together. The lower station still stands on rue de la Juiverie, facing Saint-Paul station, while the tunnel itself is walled shut and only reached by urban explorers.