Lyon, January 5, 2026 – The prefecture of Rhône has once again ordered the administrative closure of ‘The Truth’ bar, situated at 38 cours de Verdun in Lyon’s 2nd arrondissement. The decision, signed on December 29, 2025, mandates a two-month shutdown to prevent further breaches of public order, safety, and tranquility, citing multiple incidents throughout 2025.
Recurring Incidents Lead to Second Closure
This latest closure comes less than a year after an initial three-month administrative sanction imposed on January 10, 2025. That previous action was primarily due to the possession and sale of contraband tobacco, identified through several police inspections and interventions. The repeated nature of the disturbances has prompted authorities to take a sterner stance.
According to the new prefectural order, police services intervened on November 11, 2025, between 7:20 AM and 8:30 AM, to address “several brawls involving customers of the establishment.” These events are part of a pattern of recurrent disturbances that have been consistently noted by law enforcement.
The prefecture also highlighted a prior eight-day administrative closure on October 31, 2025, which was issued “due to a gathering of customers ready to fight.” A report from the western division of the interdepartmental directorate of national police, compiled on November 14, 2025, further supported the state’s decision.
Manager’s Observations Considered, But Infractions Persist
The bar’s manager was invited to submit observations via registered mail on November 19, 2025. These were provided by their counsel, Me Vahit Polat, in a letter dated December 22, 2025. Despite these submissions, the prefecture concluded that “the multiplicity of infractions recorded in 2025” warranted a new administrative sanction.
Consequently, the order pronounces a two-month closure, effective 48 hours after the notification of the decree. An official notice must be displayed on the storefront for the entire duration of the closure.
Broader Context of Administrative Closures in Lyon
The closure of ‘The Truth’ bar is part of a broader trend of administrative actions taken by the Rhône prefecture to address public order issues in Lyon. Authorities have been increasingly vigilant in shutting down establishments linked to various illicit activities, including drug trafficking and public disturbances.
For instance, the café Yara in Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement was subject to an immediate three-month closure due to drug trafficking, armed confrontations, and recurrent violence, with 258 police interventions and 85 arrests in 2024 alone. [tribunedelyonhebdo.fr](https://www.tribunedelyonhebdo.fr/lyon-la-prefecture-ordonne-la-fermeture-immediate-dun-cafe-devenu-epicentre-de-trafics-affrontements-armes-et-violences/) Similarly, the El Morjane establishment, also in the 3rd arrondissement, was closed for three months in October 2025 after becoming a central point for drug trafficking, with 214 police interventions and 73 arrests nearby. [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/lyon-ce-commerce-refuge-des-trafiquants-ferme-d-urgence-par-la-prefecture/) [leprogres.fr](https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2025/10/15/narcotrafic-a-lyon-quatre-etablissements-fermes-la-nouvelle-loi-entre-en-application)
A nightclub in the 8th arrondissement, known as ‘New Hollywood’ (now ‘Les Salons du NH’), was also closed for fifteen days in November 2025 due to repeated nuisances and violence, including a Molotov cocktail attack and multiple brawls. [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/lyon-la-discotheque-qui-tape-sur-le-systeme-des-habitants-fermee-d-urgence-par-la-prefecture/)
These actions underscore a concerted effort by local authorities to restore public safety and reduce the impact of illegal activities on neighborhoods. The new anti-drug trafficking law, implemented in June 2025, has enabled over a hundred bans from public appearance in the Lyon metropolitan area, along with the termination of a dozen social housing leases linked to trafficking and the closure of numerous businesses. [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/lyon-pluie-de-commerces-fermes-par-la-prefecture-dans-ce-quartier-voici-pourquoi/)
The prefecture emphasizes that these measures are not merely punitive but part of a long-term strategy to ensure the safety and tranquility of Lyon’s residents. The ongoing police presence and targeted operations aim to dismantle criminal networks and deter future illicit activities.
Source: lyonmag.com
