Perched on the North Plateau, the Montessuy fort, built between 1831 and 1836 to defend Lyon, has never actually seen battle. But in 2028, it could very well become a playground for afterwork fun and sunny brunches! Owned by the City of Caluire-et-Cuire since 1972, this historic site, surrounded by a three-hectare park, is gearing up to step out of the shadows with a massive rehabilitation project.
Fueled by the trio Urban Project, Youse, and the architecture firm Vurpas, the construction has just taken a key step with the submission of the building permit. If all goes according to plan, construction should start in 2027, with completion expected by the end of 2028. Yes, that’s just around the corner for a 19th-century fort!
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© Wikipedia
A hybrid place for relaxation, culture, and work
A new generation concept that mixes guinguette, coworking, and events in a lush setting. Forget about cold and austere walls: this is a vibrant living space! The future Fort de Montessuy promises a schedule as packed as a startup’s agenda during a launch. Outdoors, a summer guinguette will set up with oversized terraces, a 300-seat green theater, and a sunset atmosphere. Perfect for turning summer nights into unmissable gatherings.
Inside, there’s a café-restaurant open all year round, plus a fully-equipped professional space with coworking for about a hundred people, meeting rooms, and seminar areas. The highlight of the show? A rooftop with a beautiful view!
event space for 200 people, perched like a belvedere above the Lyon metropolis. Translation: your next seminar might be a lot less boring.
© Vurpas Architectes
An ambitious project for an exceptional site
A major transformation estimated at 7 million euros to breathe new life into a unique heritage. Behind this revival is a colossal project. While the walls have held strong, the interior of the fort is now in a state of nearly ruin. Demolition, restructuring, elevation... everything needs to be reimagined to create this future hybrid hub. Announced budget: 7 million euros, based on a 50-year lease model.
The final selection of operators who will bring the place to life still needs to be completed. One thing is certain: with its 120,000 residents nearby and a still limited offering in this area, the Fort of Montessuy has all the cards to become the new lifestyle HQ in town!
Test of Lyon.