A journey through Lyon's wall paintings

Lyon is the third largest city in France and also the gastronomic capital as well as the central city of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. When traveling to Lyon, tourists can not only enjoy beautiful scenery, taste delicious food and wine, visit museums and squares, but also should not miss the numerous murals in Lyon. These murals depict historical figures, futuristic city fantasies, novel plots, and the nuances of Lyon's daily life. These murals are a beautiful reflection of art, life, history, and culture, and are definitely worth appreciating carefully.

Fresque des Lyonnais

Located on the western side of the peninsula between the Saône and Rhône rivers in Lyon, near the Saint-Vincent bridge, the Fresque des Lyonnais is one of the most famous murals in Lyon. This gigantic mural, seven stories high, is particularly unique among Lyon's murals. It depicts famous figures from Lyon, such as the puppet Guignol, the inventor of the loom Joseph-Marie Jacquard, and the Little Prince with golden hair. The most captivating aspect is the depiction of six ordinary citizens at the bottom layer of the mural, showcasing snippets of Lyonnais life. You can stand across from it, carefully admire this piece of art, and imagine yourself stepping into the mural, becoming the protagonist of the story.

The Wall of the Canuts

Located in the Croix-Rousse district of Lyon, Le Mur des Canuts is a very realistic wall depicting textile workers. The steps are portrayed very vividly, giving a true sense of the height difference. Covering an area of nearly 1200 square meters, it is one of the largest murals in Europe. Its name aptly commemorates the countless textile workers who toiled here. The Croix-Rousse district today is no longer what it used to be, but many people still come here to seek traces of the textile industry's history.

Station Mural Series

La Fresque du Centenaire is a series of 24 station murals. In French, 'Centenaire' means 'centenary'. It is located near Jean-Macé station, along the supporting walls under the railway bridge on Berthelot Avenue. These murals tell a story of the left bank of the Rhône River, hence it is sometimes also called the 'Mural of the Left Bank of the Rhône'. This destination is close to the Lyon Light Mural, and you can reach it by taking a train to Jean-Macé station.

Tony Garnier Museum

Located in Lyon, the Musée Urbain Tony Garnier is a very special museum. It is not indoors but an outdoor museum. The museum displays several large murals on the exterior walls of a few residential buildings, showcasing Tony Garnier's ideas about utopian design. These murals are so enormous that it is hard to imagine they can be displayed in a city. From these murals, one can see Tony Garnier's design philosophy, which is to develop a humanistic city. Therefore, this museum is a must-visit for all architects, designers, and urban planners, and is especially recommended for those interested in utopian concepts.