Fire destroys historic pavilion in Lyon

A fire destroyed one of the two historic pavilions on Lyon's Place Bellecour, a building that had stood for 164 years. The structure, originally built as a military guardhouse in the early 1850s, was designed by architect Tony Desjardins and had served various roles over time, including as a police station, tourist office, and exhibition hall.

Fire occurred in the afternoon

The building was damaged around 2:30 p.m., and access to the pavilion was blocked by hostile individuals until 3 p.m. Firefighters began their intervention shortly after the blaze started, and the fire took approximately one hour to burn through the structure. It was officially declared destroyed at 3:30 p.m.

Pavilion not officially protected

The pavilion was not classified as a protected historical site, but it was a significant part of the square's landscape, which itself is protected. The building's destruction has raised questions about its potential reconstruction, which would require surveys, funding, and years of work.

Twin pavilion has different history

The pavilion's twin, located a short distance away, had a different history, serving as a restaurant and later as an exhibition hall. Both structures had shaped the appearance of Place Bellecour, which has undergone numerous transformations over the years, including changes to its trees, the addition of parking, and the installation of a mineral esplanade.