Le Viste Square, a place whose modern appearance hides a rich and eventful history. Before discussing its reconstruction, let's go back in time to the Middle Ages.
Who were the Le Viste?
The square takes its name from the powerful Le Viste family of Lyon. In the Middle Ages, this family was very influential, both in the city and at the royal court. They were the owners of vast plots of land here, including the Place Bellecour.
The Le Viste family crest, with its blue band charged with three silver crescents, suggests a family of recognized nobility, demonstrating loyalty and dignity. The presence of this emblem on the famous tapestries of "The Lady and the Unicorn" highlights the importance of the Le Viste family at the time of the creation of these works.
It is in their honor that this small square was named. A member of this family, Jean Le Viste, even commissioned a series of exceptional tapestries known as "The Lady and the Unicorn," now on display at the Cluny Museum in Paris.
A past marked by fire
In 1793, Lyon was besieged by revolutionary troops. On August 30 of that year, a violent fire broke out in this square and its surroundings.
The neighborhood was devastated, with buildings reduced to ashes, erasing all traces of the old Place Le Viste. This dramatic event completely transformed the appearance of the area, necessitating a complete reconstruction.
19th century reconstruction
In the mid-19th century, under the Second Empire, the square experienced a renaissance. It was integrated into the major urban planning project of the Republic Street, then called Imperial Street.
It was during this period that the buildings you see around you were built, in an architectural style that combined several influences, typical of the period.
If you look closely at the facades, you will notice original details, such as sculptures of heads and dragons. These heads and dragons are characteristic elements of the architecture. eclectic, a style that blends motifs from different eras and cultures. It emerged in the 19th century, a period of profound urban change in Lyon and other European cities. In the 19th century, exploration and archaeological discoveries popularized motifs from other cultures. Architects incorporated elements from Egypt, Asia, or the Middle Ages to create a sense of exoticism and mystery. Dragons, in particular, symbolize strength and protection in many mythologies.
Shops, witnesses of time
The square has always been a place of life and commerce. On the site of the current McDonald's, there once stood the famous Peace CafeOpened in 1894, it was a popular meeting place for the people of Lyon for almost a century, until its closure in 1983.
Not far away, one of the buildings housed a dealership Citroën, built in 1934. Although the car company is no longer there, you can still admire its unique façade, which stands out from the others, with its bas-reliefs. The surprising figures of naked women decorating the facade of the building bear witness to the influence of Art Deco and its taste for the representation of the human body, a symbol of vitality and modernity at the time of its construction. The Art Deco period, which followed Art Nouveau, favored a more geometric, refined and monumental aesthetic. The representation of the human body, and particularly the female body, is a recurring motif in this style. These figures of naked women, often stylized and with generous curves, symbolize beauty, harmony and vitality.
Place Le Viste is therefore a perfect example of Lyon's urban transformations. It demonstrates the city's ability to rebuild, evolve, and integrate new styles, while preserving the memory of its past.
