The Old Tanners’ Street

Historic site and monument

Rue des Adobeurs
38460 Crémieu

In the 14th century, Rue des Adobeurs was home to the town’s most important guild, the tanners known as the ‘Adobeurs’.
Thanks to this location, they were able to use the water from the moat, just outside the ramparts, to whitewash the hides.

Although the tanners on this street can easily access water from the River Vaud, which feeds the moats, their trade produces relatively unpleasant odours, so they are kept as far out on the periphery as possible.
The houses found here provide an insight into how the tanners’ settlements were organised. They are multi-storey houses with balconies that serve as drying galleries.