Lyon Addresses Colonial Past: Sergeant Blandan Statue Contextualized with New Plaque
Lyon, France – June 12, 2026 – The City of Lyon and the 1st arrondissement town hall took a significant step in “decolonizing” its public space on Thursday, June 11, 2026, by unveiling a historical plaque at Place Sathonay. This initiative aims to contextualize the statue of Sergeant Blandan and illuminate the often-overlooked colonial history of France in Algeria.
The plaque was unveiled at the foot of the Sergeant Blandan statue in the presence of Yasmine Bouagga, Mayor of the 1st arrondissement, and Aline Guitard, Lyon’s Deputy for Memories, Cultural, Funeral Heritage, and Veterans. The event, attended by local schoolchildren, underscores a broader movement in France to re-evaluate colonial and slave-owning legacies in public spaces, including streets, parks, and monuments.
A Demand for Historical Clarity
The demand for such contextualization was first voiced during the municipal council meeting on November 14, 2024, following discussions about renaming public spaces previously bearing the name of Abbé Pierre. This move highlights a growing public desire for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of historical figures and events commemorated in urban landscapes.
Unveiling a Violent Colonial History
This initiative seeks to educate the public about the French colonial history in Algeria, particularly the role of Jean-Hippolyte Blandan, who died in 1842 during the conquest. The plaque, a collaborative effort involving historians, associations, and the City’s History and Memory Committee, recontextualizes the statue within its true historical framework: a violent colonial war fought to impose French rule in Algeria.
Actor Mohamed Bikat delivered a poignant recitation during the ceremony, recalling the massacre by suffocation in the Dahra caves, where local populations were asphyxiated-a technique advocated by General Bugeaud. This powerful moment served as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of the colonial period.
The Plaque’s Inscription: A Glimpse into the Past
The text engraved on the plaque provides crucial historical context: “This statue of Sergeant Blandan represents a soldier of the people, born in Lyon in 1819 and killed in combat in 1842 in Boufarik, Algeria. The military campaign led by France at that time mobilized up to one hundred thousand soldiers, led by General Bugeaud, against combatants resisting the colonial conquest, but also against the civilian population, victims of massacres, forced displacements, destruction of villages and crops, and epidemics. Algeria is estimated to have lost nearly a quarter of its inhabitants between 1830 and 1872.”
Broader Reflections on Colonial Memories
The installation of this plaque is part of a broader reflection on colonial memories initiated in Lyon since 2025. This includes efforts to rename public spaces, such as the renaming of a square in La Duchère after Gisèle Halimi, and ongoing discussions about the future of Rue Bugeaud in Lyon.
The current stone statue of Sergeant Blandan, created by André Tajana, was commissioned by the City when young men were mobilized against the Algerian insurrection. It was installed in January 1962, shortly before Algeria gained independence. A street near Place Sathonay and one of Lyon’s large parks also bear the name “Blandan.”
Continuing the Dialogue: Conference and Future Plans
Following the plaque’s unveiling, a conference-debate was held in the council chamber of the 1st arrondissement town hall. Historian Colette Zytnicki discussed the controversies surrounding Marshal Bugeaud, a key figure in colonization, while Étienne Augris shared Nancy’s experience, where a twin statue of Blandan has also undergone re-evaluation.
Future plans include reviewing the street currently named after Bugeaud during the current mandate and publishing a “Decolonial Lyon” guide, further cementing the city’s commitment to confronting and re-evaluating its colonial past.
Source: mesinfos.fr
