- Pl. Antonin Poncet, 69002 Lyon
- What you see
- What you need to know
The bell tower of the Charity in Lyon is an iconic landmark of the city. Located near the Hôtel-Dieu, this historic building has a rich history.
- 1529 and 1531 : Famines in France, following a period of drought, lead to an influx of migrants to Lyon.
- 1534 : Faced with the distress of the population, the General Alms was created at the Cordeliers convent to offer aid.
- 1581 The General Alms decided to build the Charity Hospital to better meet the growing needs. Several sites were considered, including one near the current Place des Terreaux.
- June 21, 1581 Despite the initial intention to build the hospital on the old Lanterne moats (present-day Place des Terreaux), the project was abandoned due to financial constraints. The site would eventually be used for the construction of Lyon's City Hall sixty years later.
- December 2, 1614 The General Alms institution acquired land between Place Bellecour and the Rhône, thus facilitating the transport of the sick, particularly to the Hôtel-Dieu.
- Archive images
- Good to know
Following the gradual demolition of the Charité Hospital, a petition was launched to preserve the hospital's bell tower. This petition gathered nearly 9,000 signatures before being presented to Édouard Herriot. Simultaneously, an anonymous donation of 300,000 francs was generously offered for the tower's preservation. In 1935, Édouard Herriot expressed his desire to keep the bell tower during an announcement to the city council.
