A historian proposes naming Lyon's University Bridge after Samuel Paty, a teacher killed in 2020, to honor his legacy and link it to another slain intellectual.
Plaque honors Samuel Paty in Lyon
A small plaque near the bust of Édouard Herriot in Lyon commemorates Samuel Paty, a history-geography teacher who was killed by an Islamist terrorist in 2020. The plaque is one of the few public tributes to Paty in the city.Historian calls for more recognition
Stéphane Nivet, an author and historian, argues that the current tribute to Paty is too discreet. He has proposed adding Paty’s name to the University Bridge, which crosses the Rhône River in Lyon, as a more prominent memorial.Proposal made on anniversary of Paty’s death
Nivet made the suggestion in a LinkedIn post on October 16, the sixth anniversary of Paty’s assassination. The date also marked the day before school holidays in France, which added significance to the timing of the proposal.Paty’s ties to Lyon’s education system
According to Nivet, the proposal is linked to Paty’s educational background. He attended the Édouard-Herriot High School and studied at the Jean-Moulin Lyon 3 University and the Lyon 2 IUFM between 1995 and 1997.Historical precedent cited for naming
Nivet cited a precedent from 1945, when the mayor of Lyon, Justin Godart, proposed naming one end of University Street after Marc Bloch, a historian and resistance fighter. Nivet suggests naming the other end of the University Bridge after Paty.Tribute to two figures killed for their duties
The historian describes the proposal as a way to continue a tribute to two men who were assassinated for fulfilling their duties towards humanity: Marc Bloch and Samuel Paty.
