Fort Montluc was built between 1831 and 1835 and was part of a system of fortifications to protect Lyon from possible enemy attack.

The trapezoidal shape and two outward-facing bastions were designed to protect the suburb of Guillotière [fr].

It was surrounded by water similar to the Fort des Brotteaux [fr] and was accessible by a wooden bridge.

At the end of the 19th century, the glacis surrounding the fort were occupied by French military, and have since been replaced by a garden square.

The fort was owned by the Minister of the Interior from 1969 to 2007, after which it has been used as a metropolitan police station.