Lyon: Rhône Right Bank Transformation Project Permanently Abandoned
Lyon, August 13, 2026 – The Métropole de Lyon has officially confirmed the permanent abandonment of the ambitious project to transform the Right Bank of the Rhône. This decision, finalized at the end of July, follows a suspension of works initiated in the spring, just days after Véronique Sarselli (LR) was elected president of the Métropole.
Project Suspension and Abandonment
The project, initially put on hold on March 27, was intended to rethink 2.5 kilometers of the Rhône’s Right Bank. Véronique Sarselli had justified the suspension by expressing a desire to review the file, ‘ensure close coordination between the public actors concerned,’ and re-examine its consequences for the territory and its inhabitants. Months later, this suspension has now become a definitive abandonment. The new metropolitan majority has decided not to pursue the project as conceived by the ecologists.
What the Abandoned Project Entailed
Validated by the Rhône Prefecture in February, the project aimed to significantly reduce the presence of cars in favor of pedestrians, public transport, and vegetation. Key components included the creation of Lyon Voie n°6 and 1.7 km of bus-only lanes. The total cost was estimated at 100 million euros, with 30 million earmarked for the current mandate.
Mayor Doucet’s Reaction
In a statement, Lyon Mayor Grégory Doucet criticized the decision, citing ‘a profound lack of dialogue [and] a decision that goes against everything we now know about adapting cities to climate change.’ Doucet emphasized the urgent need to green and create more shaded areas along the quays, especially given the increasing frequency of heatwaves. The Right Bank project held particular significance for Mayor Doucet, as it was a central promise of his re-election campaign and his first announced measure after securing a second term.
Future of the Rhône Quays
Currently, no new development scenario has been presented for the Rhône quays. The abandonment leaves a significant section of the city’s waterfront without a clear urban planning direction. The Métropole de Lyon faces the challenge of proposing an alternative vision that addresses environmental concerns and public transport needs while balancing the financial implications.
Context of Urban Development in Lyon
This decision comes amidst broader urban development initiatives in Lyon and its surrounding Métropole. Recent news in the region has included the validation of the Rhône quays redevelopment project by the Prefecture in February 2026, the temporary mobilization of a site in Gerland for solidarity housing and food distribution in February 2026, and the upcoming accessibility changes for the Béraudier bicycle parking in December 2025. Other ongoing projects include transitional urbanism initiatives, the renaturation of the Part-Dieu wood, and the rehabilitation of the Rameau hall and La Motte castle.
The abandonment of the Right Bank project highlights the complex interplay between political changes, urban planning ambitions, and environmental considerations in one of France’s major cities. The public and various stakeholders will be keenly awaiting the Métropole’s next steps regarding the future of this crucial urban space.
