Assassination of President Sadi Carnot

We are here to explore the fascinating story surrounding a red paving stone embedded in the ground, a silent witness to a tragic event: the assassination of President Sadi Carnot.

The paving stone beneath your feet is not merely a simple stone, but rather a temporal portal that transports us to June 24, 1894. It was at this precise spot that President Sadi Carnot, who had come to attend a scientific exhibition, was attacked by the Italian anarchist Santo Geronimo Caserio.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine the streets of Lyon in 1894. President Carnot, a man devoted to the French Republic, strolled peacefully, greeting the crowds and discovering the wonders of the exhibition. However, on that day, history took a tragic turn right where you are standing.

The red paving stones beneath your feet have become the silent witness to the hateful act that cost the president his life. Caserio, armed with a concealed blade, stabbed Carnot twice. The paving stones, now stained a symbolic red, preserve the memory of this tragic event.

Sadi Carnot was taken to the nearby town hall, but his injuries were too severe. A few hours later, France lost its president. The assassin, Caserio, was quickly captured and executed, marking the end of a tragedy that had shaken the nation.

As you stand here, feel the energy of the past, the echoes of this pivotal moment in history. This red paving stone is not just a stone in the ground, but a tangible link to the past, a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the moments that have shaped our history.