Overview

The domus ecclesia has always been part next to the cathedral, but the building which remains was expanded during the second half of the 15th century by Charles de Bourbon, Archbishop of Lyons at that time. This palace is one of the rare examples of civil Gothic architecture inspired by the religious architecture from the end of the Middle Ages. The architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot made some changes between 1747 and 1749 by making the palace face the rue Adolphe Max rather than the banks of the Saône. He designed two classical style porticoes and a monumental staircase to replace the side passages, recreating in his own style a classical architecture (see Hôtel Dieu, Loge du Change). Today the Palace Saint-Jean is used to store the municipal archives of Lyons and as an annexe of the public library. Libra ry's Opening Times: 1p-7p Tu-W; 10a-2p, 1p-7p Th-Fr; 10-noon, 1-5p Sa.