Old Lyon: A Historic District on the Brink of Demolition
Lyon, France – The picturesque and historic district of Old Lyon, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, came perilously close to being completely demolished in the 1930s. A radical urban planning project, backed by then-mayor Édouard Herriot, envisioned replacing its ancient streets and buildings with modern structures.
The Tragedy that Fueled a Modernization Push
The night of November 12-13, 1930, proved to be a turning point for the perception of Old Lyon. A devastating landslide on the Fourvière hill claimed the lives of forty people. This tragedy intensified existing concerns about the perceived dilapidation and insalubrity of Old Lyon.
Mayor Édouard Herriot was famously critical of the district, describing it as “a collection of slums barely worthy of the knackers.” This sentiment paved the way for ambitious plans to modernize the area, driven by a desire to improve living conditions and urban infrastructure.
Architectural Visions for a New Lyon
Years prior to the landslide, at Herriot’s request, architect Pierre Bourdeix (who would later design the International Agency for Research on Cancer tower in Grange-Blanche) proposed a radical solution: demolish a significant portion of the buildings to create a modern district. Bourdeix’s philosophy was clear: “To minimize the mortality of the working classes, it is not necessary to enrich them; it is enough to house them well.”
His plans included widening Rue Saint-Jean and designing a vast square in front of the Primatial Cathedral, complete with a monumental fountain. Massive constructions were envisioned on either side, intended to reinforce the hill. Architect Robert Giroud further detailed this project in the 1930s.
Detailed Plans and Government Subsidies
A detailed specification was drawn up in 1941, representing the first phase of the ambitious program. It outlined the construction of two flights of stairs to connect Rue Tramassac to Montée du Chemin-Neuf, along with guardrails along both ascents (Chemin-Neuf and Saint-Barthélemy). A panoramic terrace was planned at the level of Montée Saint-Barthélemy.
This project, estimated at 3 million francs, even received a government subsidy. It followed extensive work to consolidate the Fourvière hill. Sketches from the time show a path leading to the Lions’ Gate of the basilica, facing the city – an original plan by architect Pierre Bossan, who ultimately abandoned it because it would have forced pilgrims to enter the crypt before ascending to the main church.
Only the Cathedral and Gadagne Museum Spared in Bourdeix’s Vision
Bourdeix’s vision went even further, sparing only the Gadagne Museum and Saint-Jean Cathedral from demolition. In their place, he proposed a vast covered market, serviced at the rear by railway lines from Saint-Paul. This market would be topped with residential buildings perpendicular to the Saône. The advantage, according to Bourdeix, was to relieve the cramped wholesale market located on Quai Saint-Antoine. This innovative idea earned him the first prize in the annual competition organized by the Society for the Embellishment of Lyon.
Louis Pradel’s Highway Ambitions and Citizen Mobilization
The outbreak of World War II and the subsequent imperative of reconstruction ultimately put an end to these grand ambitions. However, the threat to Old Lyon re-emerged later with Louis Pradel, who envisioned a boulevard connecting the Pont du Change (now Pont Maréchal-Juin) to Saint-Just via Montée du Chemin-Neuf, which would have also led to the destruction of numerous buildings.
This time, it was the civic mobilization of the “Renaissance du Vieux-Lyon” association that successfully saved the district, preserving its unique architectural heritage for future generations.
The “nouveau Lyon” Magazine: Unveiling Untold Urban Stories
This fascinating historical account is part of a larger dossier titled “The 20 projects that would have changed Lyon,” published in the June 2026 issue of “nouveau Lyon” magazine, a partner in this endeavor. The dossier explores other transformative, yet ultimately unrealized, projects for the city, including a bridge between Fourvière and Croix-Rousse, hanging gardens on Fourvière, and a Grand Stade in Vénissieux.
The magazine also features an in-depth real estate dossier focusing on the Ciel project, an interview with Cédric Van Styvendael, a focus on the city of Caluire, and an update on the “Up la Factory” construction site. Additionally, it covers current events such as the prefecture’s issuance of building permits, the rescue of a bakery on Route de Genas, new regional train sets, and amendments to the private landlord status.
Further details on these historical urban planning projects and contemporary developments in Lyon can be found in the latest issue of “nouveau Lyon” magazine.
