The Guignol theater at the gymnasium, or Guignol du Quai before its move

Welcome to this guided tour of 30 Quai Saint-Antoine, an iconic Lyon landmark that played a crucial role in the history of puppet theatre in the 19th century.

Look closely at the door on the first intermediate landing, above which is the word “Guignol”. This is where one of the first and most important permanent puppet theaters in 19th-century Lyon was located. For seventy-eight years, between 1888 and 1966, this place was home to Guignol, thus becoming an iconic landmark of the city.

This theater, originally called Guignol du Gymnase and then Guignol Mourguet, was traditionally nicknamed “Guignol du Quai.” This magnificent doorway is located within the former chapel of the Antonines, as clearly illustrated in Simon Maupin's view of Lyon. Over the years, it has undergone various transformations and uses. Its fascinating history is recounted in the Historical Dictionary of Lyon.

Housed in the room fitted out in 1842 by the architect Jean-Charles Raphaël Flacheron, this space has undergone several transformations over the years. First used by the Cercle musical as a concert hall where renowned artists such as Franz Liszt and Clara Schumann performed, it became in 1872 a small Italian-style theatre, the Théâtre du Gymnase, where dramas, comedies and vaudevilles were performed.

Subsequently, it was transformed into the Guignol du Gymnase theatre, marking the beginning of a new era for this theatrical institution. Under the direction of Pierre Neichthauser and his wife Eléonore Josserand, great-granddaughter of Laurent Mourguet, the theatre quickly acquired national and international renown, becoming an essential venue in Lyon, familiarly known as the “Guignol du Quai”.

During its golden age, this theatre welcomed a diverse audience, from government ministers to celebrities, attesting to its cultural and social importance in Lyon life. Personalities such as Justin Godart, Edouard Herriot, and Josephine Baker graced its stage, thus contributing to its rich history.

In 1966, the theatre moved to Vieux Lyon, on the Place de la Trinité, 25 metres behind the Vieux Lyon metro station, at the bottom of the montée du Gourguillon, where it is still in operation. Its legacy has endured through the years, recalling the vitality and cultural richness of Lyon.