Lyon, France – The city of Lyon continues its surprising transformations, with former industrial sites becoming cultural venues, historic buildings repurposed as restaurants, and now, even supermarkets. The latest and most spectacular example can be found in the 7th arrondissement, where a giant Lidl store has opened its doors in the former Citroën garage on Rue de Marseille, an iconic Art Deco building from the 1930s.
A Giant Supermarket in a Historic Building
Located at 35 Rue de Marseille, in the heart of the Guillotière district, this new Lidl store is impressive in its sheer size. The sales area covers more than 2,300 square meters, making it over three times larger than the previous store located directly opposite, which measured approximately 700 square meters. However, the project’s significance extends beyond its size. The supermarket has taken up residence in a landmark of Lyon’s history: the former Citroën garage, constructed between 1930 and 1932 and listed as a Historic Monument since 1992.
In its heyday, this colossal industrial building could accommodate up to 1,000 cars simultaneously. After several decades of automotive activity, followed by a conversion into offices and university spaces, its immense ground floor had remained unoccupied for several years. For Lidl, this presented the perfect opportunity to create one of its most ambitious stores in the region.
A Construction Project Under Strict Heritage Supervision
Transforming a historic building into a supermarket is, naturally, far from a conventional project. For several months, the teams had to work under the close supervision of the Architects of French Buildings (Architectes des Bâtiments de France) and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) to preserve the site’s unique identity.
Certain constraints even forced the architects to demonstrate considerable ingenuity. For instance, the original checkered floor had to be protected, and the light fixtures were suspended using specific systems to avoid touching the classified ceiling. The result is a spectacular space featuring wide aisles spanning 3 to 4 meters, a preserved central nave, and even a Citroën car displayed at the entrance, on loan from the Henri Malartre Museum, serving as a reminder of the building’s rich history.
An Opening Not Universally Welcomed
While Lidl was preparing for the opening of its new store, another story was unfolding behind the scenes. Auchan Supermarché, a competitor present in the area, attempted to have the project’s commercial authorization canceled in administrative court. The competitor argued that the new store could disrupt the local commercial landscape, create traffic problems, and be incompatible with regional development guidelines. After several months of legal proceedings, the administrative court of appeal ultimately rejected these arguments. The judges concluded that the project remained compatible with the Lyon metropolitan area and that the impact on traffic would be very limited, estimated at approximately 364 additional vehicles per day.
A New Chapter in the District’s Evolution
With this new store, Lidl anticipates welcoming up to 25,000 customers per week, while also creating approximately twenty additional jobs. The brand also promises over 3,000 product references and prices identical to those found elsewhere in France.
Beyond the simple opening of a supermarket, this project primarily illustrates the ongoing transformation of Lyon’s districts, where heritage and new uses increasingly intertwine. This development showcases how modern commercial needs can be integrated into historical urban fabric, creating a unique blend of past and present.
Source: https://www.pariszigzag.fr/lyon-actu/lidl-geant-batiment-historique/
