Lyon’s historic city center, once a vibrant hub, is facing a troubling transformation. Under the very windows of the Hôtel de Ville and beneath the gaze of the Bartholdi fountain, a palpable sense of decay is setting in. Monumental roadworks coupled with a proliferation of business closures have stripped the city center of its former allure. Ravaged by the city’s closure measures under the Green party’s mandate, local businesses are struggling to survive. This grim reality has not gone unnoticed by many Lyonnais, as highlighted by the TikTok account Voixdelyon, which recently showcased the deserted streets around Place des Terreaux.
The Alarming Silence of Joseph Serlin Street
As the TikTok initiator demonstrates, a significant number of businesses on Rue Joseph Serlin have shuttered their doors. This desolate scene is easily confirmed by simply observing the facades, which bear witness to their disappearance. This is particularly striking given that this area was once highly valued and sought after by Lyon’s merchants, owing to its proximity to Place de la Comédie and Place des Terreaux.
Yet, as recently as Monday, February 9, 2026, Mayor Grégory Doucet maintained that the situation was not alarming. Furthermore, for the outgoing mayor, Lyon could even boast of being “the city with the highest percentage of independent businesses.” A “blessing” that his policies are, according to messages displayed on some storefronts, in the process of “killing.”
Empty Promises and Unconvincing Solutions
The problem extends beyond Joseph Serlin Street, impacting adjacent areas such as Rue Sainte-Marie-des-Terreaux, Rue Paul-Chenavard, and Place Meissonier, where “for sale” or “for rent” signs are almost as numerous as the still-open storefronts. Despite this stark visual evidence, the mayor’s latest statements continue to suggest that Lyon benefits from a certain “commercial dynamism.” However, the reality on the ground appears strikingly different.
“This guy is crazy, merchants have lost tons of money, business assets are worthless, and he’s going to sink anyone who dares to try their luck,” reacted former player agent Frédéric Guerra. Another internet user, clearly unimpressed by the mayor’s latest idea, added, “Doucet shows up out of nowhere with bags of solutions to problems he created.” The mayor’s “latest idea” involves offering trial periods for new businesses.
Indeed, in front of the press, the Green elected official has repeatedly expressed his desire to save the local economy by proposing, among other things, to establish “trial formulas for new businesses.” These “extended formulas over several months” would allow certain businesses to test the waters without the risk of committing to a full lease.
The Underutilized Potential of Galerie des Terreaux
To facilitate this, the mayor is pleased to highlight the availability of commercial spaces. On this point, Grégory Doucet cannot be accused of falsehood, given the number of vacant commercial properties. Regarding this issue, the mayor specifically mentioned the Galerie des Terreaux, which has been closed for nearly thirty years. This gallery could potentially see a revival.
According to our colleagues at Lyon Mag, the site is currently undergoing renovation work aimed at transforming the space into a commercial artery featuring textile repair shops and household appliance repair services. While these services are undoubtedly useful, they are a far cry from the prestige that this historically and symbolically rich location seems to demand.
A City at a Crossroads: Voices from the Ground
The frustration among residents and business owners is palpable. Roland Pestre, commenting on February 12, 2026, observed, “We improve transport so people come to the city, but on the other hand, shops are closing one after another, there will be nothing left to do there, find the error.” Lionel Dumas echoed this sentiment, stating, “We keep saying it, Lyon is a dying city. Reversing the trend seems difficult given the almost irreversible damage caused by the choices of the ‘Greens’. I am a Lyonnais who moved to the suburbs, and I no longer recognize my city, I no longer go there because it’s too complicated, too expensive, and really not safe!”
However, not all voices are in agreement. Clotilde02, also commenting on February 12, 2026, offered a different perspective: “Life is about movement. Cities change, businesses too. Wanting to freeze time out of nostalgia is futile and frankly pathetic. Rather than whining about ‘before,’ we should embrace evolution and invent the future. Lyon is moving, it’s normal.” This highlights the ongoing debate within the city about the nature of its transformation.
The current situation in Lyon’s city center presents a complex picture. While the mayor emphasizes the city’s dynamism and proposes solutions for new businesses, the reality of numerous closures and the concerns of long-time residents and business owners paint a more somber portrait. The question remains whether the proposed solutions will be enough to stem the tide of decline and whether Lyon can truly reconcile its ecological ambitions with the economic realities faced by its local businesses.
