It's hard to imagine that a true medieval castle still stands over the 7th district of Lyon. Built in the 15th century on a strategic hilltop, the Château de la Motte held an ideal position to watch over the Lyonnais plain, the Rhône valley, and the routes toward the Alps. Long before the city expanded to its gates, this fortress was a major control point at the edges of Lyon. Over the centuries, the château passed through the hands of great families and became a prestigious residence where some of the most influential figures in French history made their mark.
© Engraving of the Château de La Motte, circa 1830
Richelieu, Louis XIII and the Greatest Names of the Monarchy
The Château de la Motte witnessed an impressive procession of crowned heads and historical figures. Henri II stayed there in the 16th century to receive a sword blessed by the Pope. A few decades later, Marie de Medici, Louis XIII, Anne of Austria and Cardinal Richelieu in turn crossed its threshold following military campaigns led in the south of the kingdom. So many prestigious visitors that make the Château de la Motte one of the most overlooked witnesses to Lyon's history today.
Marie de Medicis © Peter Paul Rubens
The Motte Castle prepares for its rebirth
Long forgotten, the monument is finally ready to experience a second life. In the 19th century, the castle was integrated into Lyon's fortifications before being transformed into a military barracks. When the Metropolis purchased the site in 2007 to create Blandan Park, the historic building unfortunately remained closed and gradually deteriorated. The severe weather in 2022 further damaged it, causing part of the roof to collapse. Faced with this urgent situation, a major restoration project was launched in 2024 to save this historic landmark. The goal goes well beyond simple heritage restoration.
Aerial view of the project - Château La Motte © CH.V
A hotel, a restaurant and a new chapter from 2027
The transformation of Château de la Motte will make it a true place of life. Following the work, the building will notably welcome a hotel as well as a restaurant, finally allowing the public to rediscover this exceptional heritage in a new light. If the schedule is respected, the doors will reopen in 2027. An eagerly awaited rebirth for this castle which, after having welcomed the greatest figures of the French kingdom, is about to write a brand new chapter in its history… this time with Lyonnais as guests of honor.