puppet
Laurent Mourguet, the creator of Guignol, was born in Lyon in 1769 into a family of silk weavers. At a very young age, he learned the trade. Around 1797, he began working as a "tooth puller." Following the tradition of this profession, he set up a small theater […]
The Gallo-Roman city
The founding of Lugdunum has long been debated by historians due to the lack of detail in ancient writings. The history of Lugdunum rests primarily on abundant archaeological discoveries and epigraphy. The Birth of Lugdunum: According to Cicero, a revolt in Vienne in 44 BC led to the expulsion of Roman veterans from […]
The painted walls
This text describes the rich history of mural painting in Lyon. The use of mural painting dates back to Antiquity and remains a tradition. In Fourvière, vestiges of painted walls from the Roman era still exist, bearing witness to this practice. Several churches in the city preserve traces of ancient frescoes dating from 1002 to 1675. […]
True story of December 8th
Over time, the roots of the December 8th festivities, from the plague and the war against Prussia to the inauguration of Fourvière, have become intertwined in collective memory. Despite the official narrative and tradition, forgotten events contributed to the birth of the Festival of Lights. This is not the […]
House of the Golden Bustard, Old Lyon
Built in 1487, this building along the street (19 rue du Boeuf) adopted the name of the shop sign, made of sculpted stones by the poultry merchant in 1708, bearing the motto: 'I am worth more than all the game.' This sign depicts a bustard, a species of wild guinea fowl. The little bustard, […]
Ox or Bull Street?
Rue du Boeuf, located in the Saint-Jean district, is a popular tourist attraction due to its remarkable character. This entirely paved street is lined exclusively with houses built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The street's origins: It is presumed that it was laid out when residents of the upper part of the hill […]
The Claudian Tables
The Claudian Tables, also known as the Claudian Tablets, are a set of texts inscribed on bronze tablets dating from the Roman period. They were discovered in Lyon, France, in 1528. These inscriptions offer a unique perspective on the history and administration of Roman Gaul in the 1st century AD.
Films shot in Lyon
Do you want to explore the city from a different perspective than a simple stroll through Google Street View? Fortunately, cinema comes to our rescue, presenting the capital of Gaul in a new light. Here are a few cinematic gems that place Lyon at the heart of their plots. 19th century 1895 Brothers […]
The Assassination of Sadi Carnot
The Red Slab on the Ground: The assassination of President Sadi Carnot is marked by a simple red slab placed on the sidewalk, marking the spot where he lost his life on June 24, 1894. This act was perpetrated by a young anarchist militant of Lombard origin, Sante Caserio. His motivation was to avenge the refusal […]
Status of Louis XIV
Between legendary tales, myths, and misinformation, the history of the equestrian statue of Louis XIV is full of twists and turns. It all began in 1658, when Louis XIV decided to rename Place Bellecour to Place Royale in his honor. To mark this event, the city of Lyon considered installing an equestrian statue […]
