Historic Site of Lyon


Publications

Le cas des rues piétonnières du Vieux-Lyon (Rhône) dans les années 1970

2026 — Article — WHEA41E60E9FC

The piétonnisation of streets in Vieux-Lyon during the late 1970s, while primarily aimed at enhancing architectural heritage, inadvertently marginalized the street paving—a key element of urban patrimony. This study reveals how the reimagining of central streets as 'period' thoroughfares, though intended to serve the built environment, failed to recognize or preserve local paving traditions, which were later replaced by standardized designs. The research highlights a selective approach to patrimonialization, where street features were subsumed under the prioritization of architectural integrity, leading to the erasure of distinct Lyonese paving practices by the 1980s.

The Aqueducts of Lugdunum

2024 — Article — WHE7B4B6E7B94

Lyon's aqueducts, built between 20 BCE and the early decades of Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon), represent an extraordinary engineering feat for their time. These four aqueducts, equipped with nine inverted siphons, were designed to overcome deep or wide valleys, ensuring a reliable water supply for one of Gaul's largest cities. The study highlights the significance of Dr. Jean Burdy's long-term research, which uncovered and preserved these ancient structures through meticulous investigation of historical records and physical remains. Today, Lyon, with over a million inhabitants, stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly due to its 2000-year-old urban architecture, including these remarkable aqueducts. This work not only sheds light on Roman engineering but also underscores the importance of preserving such heritage for future generations.

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