Draft:Lyon since 1944

• Comment: The article mainly appears to consist of original research, with no indication of this particular time period's notability. This also appears AI-generated per WP:SUPERFICIAL. I am open to a second opinion, but in my opinion this violates verifiability and notability. Somepinkdude (talk) 01:41, 29 October 2025 (UTC)

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The history of Lyon since 1944 has not been extensively studied. Due to the limited availability of comprehensive analyses and general studies on various aspects of the city’s contemporary development, this period must be approached with caution. Current knowledge relies primarily on factual evidence, pending further research that may enable more objective interpretation and assessment.

Urban and demographic transformations

Metro line C, opened in 1974.

During the Trente Glorieuses, the thirty years of postwar economic expansion, Lyon experienced significant demographic growth. Between 1946 and 1968, the city’s population increased from 442,000 to 527,000 inhabitants, representing a 20% rise. The suburban population grew even more rapidly, from 348,000 to 595,000 inhabitants, a 70% increase. This trend reflected a nationwide pattern of urban expansion. In Lyon, growth occurred mainly to the east, continuing a long-term development dynamic. From the 1970s onward, urbanization became more pronounced on the metropolitan outskirts, while the populations of the central municipalities stabilized. This process was accompanied by a decline in population density, as the doubling of inhabitants spread over an area approximately seven times larger.

Large housing complexes were constructed on the outskirts of Lyon, including La Duchère—initially built to accommodate repatriates from Algeria—along with Mermoz and Rillieux. Modernization during this period led to several major infrastructure projects, such as the creation of the La Part-Dieu business district, the construction of the Fourvière highway tunnel, and the inauguration of the metro system in 1978. Urban expansion also encouraged the development of the new town of L’Isle-d’Abeau and the construction of a new airport at Colombier-Saugnieu, named Satolas, which replaced Bron Airport. In June 2000, the airport was renamed Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport.

From the 1980s onward, Lyon and Villeurbanne increasingly concentrated higher-level professions, including executives, industrialists, and members of liberal professions, while the surrounding suburbs—particularly in the eastern metropolitan area—had a higher proportion of workers, manual laborers, and employees.

Since the 1980s, demographic trends in the Lyon metropolitan area have shifted. The central city, including Villeurbanne, experienced population growth, while some nearby suburban municipalities saw a decline in residents. Census data indicate that the population of Lyon increased from 415,500 in 1990 to 445,400 in 1999, and then to 479,800 in 2009.

Economic developments

General overview

The Part-Dieu district, symbol of Lyon's shift towards the service industry

At the end of the Second World War, Lyon’s economy was strongly industrial, encompassing both traditional sectors, such as metallurgy, and emerging ones, including chemistry and mechanical engineering, a profile that persisted until the 1960s. In the following decade, the metropolitan area’s economic structure evolved, gradually establishing Lyon as a major French tertiary center.

Industries that experienced the most significant decline included textiles, particularly silk, as well as the manufacture of electrical components and metalworking. The chemical and automotive mechanical sectors, however, maintained substantial activity. Although the number of industrial establishments decreased only slightly, the share of industry within the active population declined notably during the 1980s and 1990s.

By the 2000s, Lyon’s industrial sector was concentrated in four main areas: chemistry and pharmaceuticals, including companies such as Arkema, Sanofi-Pasteur, and BioMérieux; metallurgy and mechanical engineering, with Renault Trucks; electricity, including Alstom and Areva; and software development, with firms such as Hewlett-Packard and Cegid, alongside the textile industry. Additional activity occurred in construction, agri-food, and logistics. Since 2005, the city’s economy has been supported by five competitiveness clusters: Lyon Biopôle, Axelera, Lyon Urban Trucks, Lyon Numérique, and Techtera.

Evolution of the Lyon textile industry

The conversion of many manufacturers to rayon production in the 1930s proved temporary, and the sector subsequently declined during the Trente Glorieuses. Although advisory and support structures were established to assist the industry, natural silk remained largely limited to the luxury market. Nevertheless, Lyon developed expertise in the preservation, restoration, and promotion of silk heritage.

End of the fabrique

In the second half of the 20th century, the traditional structure of the Fabrique lyonnaise gradually declined and eventually disappeared, despite efforts to sustain it.

Decline of artificial silk

The adoption of artificial silk (rayon) by Lyon’s silk manufacturers during the 1929 crisis provided only a temporary solution. This fiber later faced strong competition from nylon, introduced in the 1950s, which required greater investment than most local textile firms could manage. Modernization efforts were insufficient to increase production efficiency, and the industry was unable to transition to low-cost ready-to-wear clothing.

As a result, many textile businesses closed. Between 1964 and 1974, the number of textile houses decreased by 55%, and the number of factories fell by 49%. Smaller firms were the first to disappear, and some long-established companies, such as Maison Gindre in 1954 and Maison Dognin in 1975, also went bankrupt.

Organization of the sector

To address the decline of the local silk industry, several Lyon-based textile companies formed a collaborative group in 1955, known as the “Group of Haute Nouveauté Creators,” which included eight firms such as Brochier and Bianchini-Férier. This association facilitated cooperation, shared resources, and contributed to the survival of several companies during sectoral crises. Subsequently, the silk industry relied on other organizations to support its development, including Unitex (founded in 1974 as a consulting association for textile businesses in Lyon), Inter-Soie France (established in 1991 to unite Lyon’s silk producers and organize the Lyon silk market), and the International Silk Association.

Disintegration of the fabrique

Between 1974 and 1988, the workforce of Lyon’s silk industry declined significantly, decreasing from 43,000 to 18,000 employees. During the same period, the number of looms fell from 23,000 in 1974 to 15,000 in 1981, and further to 5,750 by 1993.

Reorientation of the Lyon silk industry

The traditional markets of the Fabrique declined as luxury fashion increasingly used less silk and price competition for standard goods intensified. Remaining Lyon silk companies subsequently focused on technical textiles, restoration, and heritage-related activities.

End of the traditional silk-industry clientele

Silk dress and evening gloves by Christian Dior, on display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

The traditional clientele of the Fabrique—consumers purchasing luxury evening and ceremonial attire and home furnishings—declined from the 1930s and largely disappeared by the 1950s due to social changes in developed countries. The democratization of fashion and the influence of American styles reduced demand for elaborately embroidered silk garments. Parisian haute couture, a primary market for Lyon’s silk products, experienced a significant crisis, resulting in the closure of many fashion houses and the survival of others primarily through ready-to-wear collections.

Haute couture turns away from silk

By the mid-20th century, many Lyon-based textile houses shifted to alternative materials. Silk consumption in the Lyon metropolitan area declined significantly, with 800 tons used in 1957 compared to over 24,000 tons of artificial fibers. By 1992, silk fabric production had decreased further to 375 tons.

Even companies that attempted to specialize in luxury products encountered challenges. Maison Bonnet, for example, pursued this strategy in the 1970s by divesting factories producing mid-range fabrics and acquiring firms with expertise in high-quality craftsmanship. In the 1990s, it produced luxury items, including clothing and scarves, under its own brands and for fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Gianfranco Ferré, and Calvin Klein. The company also established a museum to highlight its historical legacy. Despite these measures, Maison Bonnet remained vulnerable and closed permanently in 2001.

Restoration and heritage preservation

Entrance to the Museum of Textiles and Decorative Arts.

From the outset, Lyon’s authorities aimed to establish design archives to facilitate intellectual property recognition, support designer training, and inspire textile manufacturers. During the 20th century, this initiative shifted toward heritage and historical preservation, with the Musée des Tissus becoming the repository for collections documenting Lyon’s silk-making history. In 1974, samples and drawings previously held by the labor tribunal were transferred to the museum when the court relocated.

In 1985, the Musée des Tissus established a workshop for the restoration of historical textiles, partially funded by the French Directorate of Museums. The workshop, modeled on the Abegg-Stiftung in Riggisberg, undertakes restoration of both public and private collections.

The textile manufacturers Tassinari & Chatel and Prelle have maintained the tradition of silk furnishings, including the restoration of historical pieces. During the 1960s and 1970s, they participated in a French government program to restore furnishings from royal palaces. This work included research to reproduce original colors, weaves, and patterns. The experience gained in these projects led to further restoration commissions abroad, including the restoration of several German castles, such as Brühl and Nymphenburg.

Technical textiles

Several companies in the Lyon region transitioned from traditional silk production to the high-value-added sector of technical textiles. By 1987, the leading companies in this sector were Porcher, Brochier, Hexel-Genin, and DMC. This shift contributed to a significant increase in production; for example, fiberglass fabric output grew from 13,500 tons in 1981 to 30,000 tons in 1988.

Present day

In the 21st century, very few silk manufacturers remain in Lyon, operating mainly in the limited market for luxury clothing and furnishings.

The textile houses Bianchini-Férier and Bucol produce fabrics for haute couture. Bucol, founded in 1928, maintained its operations by focusing exclusively on Haute Nouveauté, supported by a network within Parisian haute couture. In 1985, the company collaborated with Hubert de Givenchy to produce fabrics including plain or patterned crepe, sculpted or striped muslin, and multicolored floral designs in varying sizes, coordinated with polka dots, stripes, or geometric patterns. During the 1980s, Bucol also collaborated with contemporary artists to create woven artworks, with participants including Yaacov Agam, Pierre Alechinsky, Paul Delvaux, Jean Dewasne, Hans Hartung, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and Roberto Matta. Following its acquisition by the Hermès group, Bucol has produced Hermès’s printed silk scarves and continued to manufacture fabrics for other haute couture houses, including Dior, Balmain, and Chanel.

The Tassinari & Chatel company, acquired by the fabric publisher Lelièvre, produces textiles primarily for the luxury hotel sector, government institutions, and private clients. The Prelle company follows a similar approach while preserving traditional expertise that allows it to continue participating in the restoration of historical interiors.

Political history

From 1944 onward, Lyon largely reflected national political developments in France, while exhibiting some local particularities. After a decade focused on post-war reconstruction, the election of Louis Pradel as mayor marked the beginning of significant urban transformation in the city.

Lyon under the Fourth Republic

Under the long-standing leadership of Édouard Herriot (1905–1957), postwar elections represented a significant political moment in Lyon. In the first municipal elections after the war, held in 1945, a broad alliance formed around Herriot, bringing together groups including the Popular Republican Movement (MRP), the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), and the French Communist Party (PCF). However, by the constituent elections for the Fourth Republic in October 1945, the Radical Party experienced a substantial decline, finishing fourth in most districts.

By 1947, in line with the national political climate shaped by the early Cold War, the French Communist Party (PCF) withdrew from alliances and positioned itself in opposition to other major political forces. Local branches supported the strikes that occurred in November 1947. The PCF’s relative isolation contributed to the dominance of the Rally of the French People (RPF) in Lyon, particularly in the municipal elections of 1947 and the legislative elections of 1951, surpassing both the SFIO and the Radical Party. During this period, a moderate right emerged, represented by the National Centre of Independents and Peasants (CNI).

Édouard Herriot was elected mayor in 1947 and again in 1953, although in both cases without an absolute majority. His personal authority, often referred to as that of the “eternal mayor,” contributed to his election, as elected officials from other parties frequently accepted alternative positions of responsibility. During these years, a form of public recognition developed around Herriot, including celebrations of his successive elections and the publication of works highlighting his career. This recognition primarily originated within certain intellectual circles, and it is unclear to what extent it was shared by the broader public. A large crowd, however, attended his funeral in March 1957. Herriot’s cautious and frugal management helped maintain moderate local taxes, but also slowed the implementation of major modernization projects in the city.

His deputy, Louis Pradel, was elected mayor pending the 1959 elections.

Lyon under the Fifth Republic

A city beyond political parties

Victories of Louis Pradel: 1959–1976

At the beginning of the Fifth Republic, Lyon generally reflected national political trends. Candidates from the Union for the New Republic (UNR) won most available seats in the 1958 and 1962 elections, and General de Gaulle’s proposals received broad support. In the 1965 presidential election, the left-wing candidate François Mitterrand outperformed de Gaulle in the eastern and southern suburbs of Lyon. Within the city itself, de Gaulle received 39% of the vote, compared with 44% nationally.

Presidential Gaullism did not translate into municipal support in Lyon. Jacques Soustelle, the Gaullist candidate, was defeated by Louis Pradel in the 1959 municipal elections, and a similar outcome occurred in 1965 despite the candidacy of Maurice Herzog. Pradel, leading an independent political movement through his P.R.A.D.E.L. lists, gained local support by positioning himself outside traditional parties. His platform combined opposition to the French Communist Party (PCF), criticism of central government technocrats, and a focus on city-based projects. Pradel maintained visibility and local engagement through frequent participation in municipal events.

May 1968 in Lyon

During May 1968, the Lyon metropolitan area, along with the rest of France, experienced widespread strikes and demonstrations, culminating in a violent incident on the Pont Lafayette on May 24, which resulted in the death of police commissioner René Lacroix.

Achievements of Louis Pradel

Louis Pradel was the mayor who oversaw the morphological transformation of Lyon. During his tenure, he commissioned the construction of sports halls, cultural facilities, and social infrastructure throughout the city. He was also involved, though not always as the initiator, in numerous large-scale projects, including the construction of the Part-Dieu complex with the municipal library, the large Duchère housing estate, the Fourvière tunnel and Perrache interchange, the Fourvière archaeological museum, and the new rose garden in the Parc de la Tête d’Or.

Pradel advocated for urban development that accommodated heavy automobile traffic, supporting the connection of the A6 and A7 highways via a tunnel running through Fourvière and along the Rhône embankments. The project, whose consequences were not fully anticipated, has contributed to ongoing traffic challenges and has been one of the most discussed aspects of his tenure.

Creation of Greater Lyon

In 1968, Lyon and the surrounding communes were incorporated into a new intercommunal structure, initially called Courly and later renamed Grand Lyon. The urban community marked a significant development in intermunicipal cooperation compared with previous single-purpose or multipurpose syndicates. Grand Lyon was responsible for managing urban transport, overseeing urban planning—including large-scale projects—and administering services such as drinking water, sanitation, waste management, and urban policy.

Continuity under Francisque Collomb: 1976–1989

At the beginning of the 1970s, the Socialist Party gained influence in Lyon. In the 1971 and 1973 elections, moderate right-wing forces, organized around the mayor, won, but with a narrower margin than in the previous decade. The suburbs, where François Mitterrand had gained support in 1965, increasingly favored him, while the French Communist Party (PCF) experienced a decline. This trend culminated in 1981, when Lyon largely followed the national pattern by supporting the left-wing presidential candidate and electing six Socialist deputies out of ten constituencies.

At the local level, Lyon exhibited continuity in political leadership. Following the death of Louis Pradel in 1976, his designated successor, Francisque Collomb, established his position and won the 1977 municipal elections, with lists still associated with the P.R.A.D.E.L. movement. This local, “non-partisan” grouping continued in subsequent elections, including its opposition to the Rally for the Republic (RPR) under Michel Noir. During the 1970s and 1980s, local political trends reflected broader national patterns, including a decline in the French Communist Party (PCF) vote and an increase in support for the National Front.

Lyon as a European and International City

The establishment of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Gerland in 1987 and the relocation of Interpol to the Cité Internationale in 1989 marked developments in Lyon’s international profile.

In the 1989 municipal elections, Michel Noir was elected mayor with a large majority, winning all city districts. He initiated several major projects aimed at modernizing the city, including the development of the Cité Internationale, the relocation of Lyon III University to the former tobacco factory, the renovation of the opera house, and the creation of the Center for the History of Resistance and Deportation. Unlike his predecessors Louis Pradel and Francisque Collomb, Noir also pursued a national political career, leading a movement to reform the Rally for the Republic (RPR) in 1990. His political trajectory was interrupted by the Pierre Botton affair, which affected his subsequent reelection.

In the 1995 municipal elections, the right-wing coalition narrowly retained control against Gérard Collomb, who won three of nine districts. The elected mayor, Raymond Barre, continued many of his predecessor’s policies and worked to expand the city’s national and international profile, notably hosting the 22nd G7 summit in June 1996.

Barre’s tenure was characterized by efforts to manage his political succession. Charles Millon, his campaign director during the 1988 presidential election, was initially positioned as his successor. However, Millon’s acceptance of support from the National Front in the 1998 regional elections led to divisions within Lyon’s Union for French Democracy (UDF). Following his expulsion from the party, Millon’s election was annulled, and he was defeated in 1999 by Anne-Marie Comparini, a UDF candidate supported by the left. The resulting division within the local right contributed to Gérard Collomb’s victory in the 2001 municipal elections.

Gérard Collomb, focusing on local governance, continued many of his predecessors’ urban policies, including the development of the Cité Internationale with Renzo Piano’s amphitheater and the Confluence project. He introduced a more ecological approach by creating a large public space along the left bank of the Rhône. Collomb also supported major international events, such as the Biennale of Dance and the Biennale of Contemporary Art, and expanded the Festival of Lights. In addition, he undertook renovations in suburban areas, including La Duchère. These initiatives contributed to his local popularity and facilitated his reelection in 2008.

Lyon between minority Catholicism and other religious minorities

“More than political or economic events, religious attitudes are subject to divergent interpretations, especially when the proximity of the facts does not yet allow them to be placed in perspective or their importance to be fully grasped.” (Christian Ponson) For many developments, analyses are still lacking.

Evolution of Lyon’s catholicism in the contemporary world

From war to the Council: Renewal and innovation under Monsignor Gerlier

The period between 1944 and 1965, corresponding to the tenure of Monsignor Gerlier—the last “prince” of the Church of Lyon—can be considered a distinct phase in the city’s religious history, beginning with the Liberation and concluding around the time of the Second Vatican Council and its subsequent effects.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Lyon served as a center for initiatives addressing the decline of Catholic practice, including the Prado movement, the engagement of worker-priests, and catechetical renewal. These initiatives were accompanied by a renewed focus on the historical foundations of Christianity, exemplified by the establishment of the Sources Chrétiennes center during the Second World War.

Church of Lyon

People and buildings

After the Second World War, priestly formation in Lyon resumed at a significant pace, with approximately forty to fifty ordinations per year. This growth led to the establishment of up to ten training institutions in the 1950s, creating infrastructure that became largely surplus by the following decade. In 1954, a survey recorded 1,459 secular priests, 527 brothers, 499 priests in religious congregations, and over 6,000 nuns.

During this period, the construction of new places of worship accompanied the creation of new parishes. Around forty churches and chapels were built across the Lyon metropolitan area, alongside the reconstruction or renovation of older buildings.

The diocese also adapted to demographic changes, incorporating the commune of Villeurbanne and several surrounding localities.

Worker-priest experience

The worker-priest initiative, first developed in Lyon and Paris during the Second World War, continued despite reservations from Cardinal Gerlier. Although he generally supported Catholic Action, Gerlier endorsed efforts to bring the Gospel to nonbelievers, including the worker-priests, throughout his tenure.

In 1953, when Pope Pius XII indicated his intention to end the movement, Gerlier, together with Monsignors Feltin and Liénart, traveled to Rome in an attempt to influence the Vatican’s decision. Although the effort was unsuccessful and Gerlier complied with the papal directive, he did not publicly condemn the worker-priests, including those who remained with the working communities.

Determined not to waste such an experience, he maintained it within the limits permitted by papal decrees, through the Prado movement and with Father Alfred Ancel.

Opening to the world

Ecumenical activity in Lyon was significant, led by Father Couturier and his successors. Several movements emerged from this environment, including the Dombes Group, which published statements reflecting agreements between Catholic and Protestant perspectives following the Second Vatican Council.

Support for foreign missions also remained strong. Missionary congregations were active during this period, with many priests assigned to Africa and Latin America. Cardinal Gerlier supported these initiatives and participated in related events, including the consecration of the Archbishop of Koupéla in Upper Volta and an Eucharistic Congress in Rio de Janeiro.

New studies and new thought

Founded during the Second World War, Sources Chrétiennes experienced significant growth over the following two decades and became an important center for theological studies.

Religious life

Everyday catholicism

The two decades following the Liberation saw a resurgence of major Catholic events in Lyon. The 1954 Marian Congress reflected a period of reconciliation between the Church and the State and included numerous public celebrations. In 1959, the 17th National Eucharistic Congress was held in Lyon, concluding with a large procession through the Parc de la Tête d’Or. The diocese also hosted more specialized gatherings, such as the 1947 C.P.L. Congress, which focused on broader aspects of Sunday Mass beyond the Eucharistic celebration.

Sunday Mass attendance in Lyon remained relatively high compared with other major French cities. A 1954 survey of churches in the metropolitan area indicated that 19% of the population attended Mass regularly. While children continued to participate in catechism classes, attendance declined after the age of twelve, with a less pronounced decrease among girls.

Pastoral renewal in Lyon followed the approach of Canon Boulard, who advocated adapting religious discourse to specific social contexts and audiences. In line with this approach, liturgical practices were modernized in some parishes, including increased use of French, the composition of new hymns, and priests celebrating Mass facing the congregation. Within this movement, the Prado institution expanded significantly after the Second World War.

Traditional and new works

During this period, traditional charitable activities declined in prominence relative to Catholic Action movements, which reached a peak of influence. The episcopate supported the Catholic Worker Action movement in its mission to engage the working class, succeeding the M.P.F. The Semaines sociales (Social Weeks) became fully integrated into Church activities, and La Chronique sociale was directed by Joseph Folliet until 1964. In the 1950s, Gabriel Rosset established shelters and emergency housing for homeless individuals in Lyon through the institution of Notre-Dame des Sans-Abri. Supported by volunteers from the Saint Vincent de Paul conferences and the university parish, Rosset’s initiatives created enduring charitable services consistent with Lyon’s social aid tradition.

From the post-council to the present

Current Archbishop of Lyon, Monsignor Barbarin

Following the Second Vatican Council and the events of May 1968, Catholicism in Lyon experienced a period of decline. Many Catholics, dissatisfied with decisions made by Church authorities, either left the Church or gradually distanced themselves, contributing to a significant decrease in vocations from the 1970s onward. Initiatives introduced by the Council, such as diocesan synods and catechumenate programs, had limited impact on revitalizing religious practice. Additionally, numerous Christian institutions either closed or became secularized, though often maintaining aspects of their original identity. Some Christians continued to engage in civic and social initiatives to promote their values, frequently through non-religious organizations such as the Cercle de Tocqueville during the Algerian War.

Catholic groups opposing the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, associated with Archbishop Lefebvre, did not establish a significant presence in Lyon. Only one traditionalist priest, Father Largier, together with a few priests from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, gathered Catholics critical of certain Council innovations.

In contrast, from the 1980s to the 2000s, Church authorities and the majority of local Catholics generally supported the reforms of the contemporary Church, including ecumenical initiatives. Archbishop Albert Decourtray exemplified this approach, engaging with other religious communities, including Muslim and Jewish groups. His successors continued to follow a similar path.

Ecumenism

The return of repatriates from Algeria prompted cooperation among religious authorities from different faiths to provide assistance. In 1968, this led to the establishment of the Comité de liaison des œuvres religieuses d’entraide (Interfaith Committee for Religious Aid), which brought together Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish organizations. The committee functioned as a coordinating body, enabling each group to maintain its own activities while pooling resources for local assistance. It also reflected broader ecumenical initiatives following the Second Vatican Council.

Other religions in Lyon

Islam

See also: Islam in France

The significant Muslim presence in Lyon, as in other French cities, emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, largely due to labor migration from North Africa to meet the needs of the French economy. During the initial decades, the population was predominantly male and often lived in substandard housing. Over time, the community developed greater cohesion through political engagement during the Algerian War and subsequent efforts against racial discrimination.

From the 1980s, the need for formal places of worship for the Muslim population, which had previously gathered in Sonacotra hostels, was increasingly recognized by public authorities. In 1983, Lyon’s city hall approved the construction of a mosque and an Islamic cultural center. After delays due to local opposition, these institutions opened in 1994. By the 2000s, the metropolitan area had approximately sixty places of worship, and the population of Muslim background was estimated at around 150,000, although this figure did not reflect levels of religious observance, with many identifying as Muslim primarily through family tradition, often limited to observing Ramadan.

Judaism

See also: History of the Jews in France

Following the Algerian War, immigration contributed to the growth of Lyon’s Jewish population, which increased from approximately 15,000 in 1958 to 35,000 in 1968. During the 1970s and 1980s, several synagogues were constructed, and by 2006 the metropolitan area had 35 places of worship. As in other parts of France, the community has occasionally experienced antisemitic incidents.

Armenian apostolic church

See also: Armenian Apostolic Church and Armenians in France

The Armenian Apostolic community in Lyon, largely composed of Lebanese immigrants who arrived during the Lebanese Civil War, numbered approximately 35,000 in the 1980s. The community maintained close connections with Catholic authorities, including the provision of Armenian language and spirituality courses at local Catholic universities, and remained organized around its religious leaders and institutions.

Buddhism

See also: Buddhism in France

Following the arrival of Vietnamese immigrants in the 1970s, a Buddhist community became established in Lyon. Since 1990, the community has maintained a pagoda in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon.

References

• Pelletier, André; Rossiaud, Jacques; Bayard, Françoise; Cayez, Pierre (2007). Histoire de Lyon : des origines à nos jours [History of Lyon: from its origins to the present day] (in French). Lyon: Éditions lyonnaises d'art et d'histoire. ISBN 978-2-84147-190-4.

• Gadille, Jacques; Fédou, René; Hours, Henri; de Vregille, Bernard (1983). Le diocèse de Lyon [The Diocese of Lyon]. Histoire des diocèses de France (in French). Vol. 16. Paris: Beauchesne. ISBN 2-7010-1066-7.

• Comby, Jean (1977). L'évangile au confluent : dix-huit siècles de christianisme à Lyon [The Gospel at the Confluence: Eighteen Centuries of Christianity in Lyon] (in French). Lyon: Chalet. ISBN 2-7023-0293-9.

• Berthod, Bernard; Ladous, Régis (1995). Cardinal Gerlier : 1880-1965. Hommes et régions (in French). Lyon: Lugd. ISBN 2-910979-20-2.

• Sauzay, Laurent (1998). Louis Pradel, maire de Lyon : Voyage au cœur du pouvoir municipal [Louis Pradel, Mayor of Lyon: Journey to the heart of municipal power] (in French). Lyon: Éditions lyonnaises d'Art et d'Histoire. ISBN 2-84147-074-1.

• Blazy, Guy (2002). "Lyon et la soierie à travers les siècles" [Lyon and silk manufacturing through the centuries]. Dossier de l'Art (in French) (92). Faton: 4–13. ISSN 1161-3122.

• Privat-Savigny, Maria-Anne (2009). "Les albums d'échantillons du Conseil des Prud'hommes déposés au Musée des Tissus de Lyon" [The sample albums of the Labor Court deposited at the Textile Museum in Lyon]. Lyon innove : inventions et brevets dans la soierie lyonnaise aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles [Lyon innovates: inventions and patents in the Lyon silk industry in the 18th and 19th centuries]. Des objets qui racontent l'histoire (in French). Lyon: EMCC. ISBN 978-2-357-40030-6.

• Angleraud, Bernadette; Pellissier, Catherine (2003). Les dynasties lyonnaises : Des Morin-Pons aux Mérieux du XIXe siècle à nos jours [The dynasties of Lyon: From the Morin-Pons to the Mérieux, from the 19th century to the present day] (in French). Paris: Perrin. ISBN 2-262-01196-6.

• Boucher, Jean-Jacques (1996). Arts et techniques de la soie [Silk arts and techniques] (in French). Paris: Fernand Lanore. ISBN 2-85157-140-0. Retrieved October 10, 2025.

• Arizzoli-Clémentel, Pierre; Schoefer, M (1993). Restauration du patrimoine au Musée des tissus [Heritage restoration at the Fabric Museum]. Dossiers du Musée des tissus (in French). Lyon: Musée historique des tissus. ISBN 2-908955-15-6.

• Vernus, Pierre (2006). Art, luxe & industrie : Bianchini Férier, un siècle de soierie lyonnaise : 1888-1992 [Art, luxury & industry: Bianchini Férier, a century of silk manufacturing in Lyon: 1888-1992]. Histoire industrielle (in French). Grenoble: Presses universitaires de Grenoble. ISBN 978-2-7061-1391-8.

Bibliography

See also: Bibliography of the history of Lyon

External links

• "Les archives municipales de la ville de Lyon" [The municipal archives of the city of Lyon] (in French). Retrieved October 10, 2025.

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Categories:

• 20th century in Lyon
• Contemporary French history
• French Fifth Republic
• Religion in France