Architectural Flourishes: Lyon, France

By Marques Vickers

This pictorial guide illustrates the features, ornamentation and detailing that capture Lyon’s medieval and mid to late 19th century architectural legacy. Many of these images may be traced to the ambitious direction of Claude-Marius Vaisse appointed the Prefect of the Rhone during the reign of Napoleon III and the Second Republic.

During the same epoch of famed Prefect of the Seine Department, Baron Haussmann, Vaisse initiated his own programs of modernization and urban renewal. His office targeted the eradication of unsightly slums along with cramped and constricted commercial districts. Under his direction, he established a vast network of canals and aqueducts. His initial salvo towards shaping a new civic environment came with the completion of the Rue Imperiale. Lyon would adopt urban models attributed to Paris, yet drew upon numerous elements from its own past to differentiate its identity. Inherent space constraints would limit the scale of ambitions, pushing development towards the peripheries.

Vaisse’s major accomplishments included restoring the City Hall following a destructive fire, the creation of the Rue Imperiale (Rue de la Republique) and Rue de l’Imperatrice (Edouard Herriot) and the La Croix-Rousse Hospital. Other developments included the Lyon-Perrache train station, Stock Market building, Parc de la Tete d’Or and the creation of the Compagnie Lyonnaise des Omnibus. For his efforts, he was appointed a Senator and awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. He died in Lyon at the age of 65 on August 29, 1864.

The photographic imagery of this edition focuses on the architectural ornamentation and exterior moldings on exterior display. The text details the accompanying history of Second Republic architecture and its two design successors. The Art Nouveau movement would represent the Belle Époque period when introduced during 1890 spreading throughout Europe.

Art Deco architecture coincided with the fading of Art Nouveau’s influence beginning in 1910. Its was elevated into prominence at the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts exhibition held in Paris during 1925. It remained a dominant style until 1939 and the global aggression inflicted by World War II.

Lyon’s history originated when the Roman Senate ordered the creation of a settlement in 43 BC for refugees of war in the conflict with the Allobroges. The relocated population had been expelled from nearby Vienne. The group initially encamped at the confluence of the Soane and Rhone rivers. The foundation of their initial settlement was constructed upon the highlands of Fourviere Hill. The city became known as Lugdunum translated into the Gaullist language as Desired Mountain.

Lugdunum’s strategic location became a desirable starting point for essential roads in the region. The settlement evolved into the capital of the province. Two future Roman emperors, Claudius and Caracalla were born in the city, the sons of government officials. Preserved remains of the ancient Theatre of Fourviere and the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls testify to the formerly advanced development of the region.

The storied Traboules are clandestine passageways wind their route through buildings, courtyards and intricate staircases. Each passage is unique and often features pastel colors, confounding curves, arches, vaulted ceilings and spiral staircases. Traboules radiate mystery and intrigue within the shadows. Many boast a Renaissance era heritage with some dating back to reportedly the 4th century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marques Vickers
• Release date: Jul 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215994535

Marques Vickers

Visual Artist, Writer and Photographer Marques Vickers is a California native presently living in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle, Washington regions. He was born in 1957 and raised in Vallejo, California. He is a 1979 Business Administration graduate from Azusa Pacific University in the Los Angeles area. Following graduation, he became the Public Relations and ultimately Executive Director of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce between 1979-84. He subsequently became the Vice President of Sales for AsTRA Tours and Travel in Westwood between 1984-86. Following a one-year residence in Dijon, France where he studied at the University of Bourgogne, he began Marquis Enterprises in 1987. His company operations have included sports apparel exporting, travel and tour operations, wine brokering, publishing, rare book and collectibles reselling. He has established numerous e-commerce, barter exchange and art websites including MarquesV.com, ArtsInAmerica.com, InsiderSeriesBooks.com, DiscountVintages.com and WineScalper.com. Between 2005-2009, he relocated to the Languedoc region of southern France. He concentrated on his painting and sculptural work while restoring two 19th century stone village residences. His figurative painting, photography and sculptural works have been sold and exhibited internationally since 1986. He re-established his Pacific Coast residence in 2009 and has focused his creative productivity on writing and photography. His published works span a diverse variety of subjects including true crime, international travel, California wines, architecture, history, Southern France, Pacific Coast attractions, fiction, auctions, fine art marketing, poetry, fiction and photojournalism. He has two daughters, Charline and Caroline who presently reside in Europe.

Book preview

ARCHITECTURAL FLOURISHES:

LYON, FRANCE

DETAILING GUIDE TO LYON ARCHITECTURE

Published by Marques Vickers at Smashwords

Copyright 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Lyon Architectural Flourishes

About The Author

Decorative molding dates back to ancient Greece where designs aspired towards creating equilibrium of form, balance and decoration. Patterns stress symmetry and space and have influenced classical design since their introduction.

Egyptians incorporated moldings into their architectural designs. The Greeks replaced traditional painted border designs with carved stone or marble. The intricate designs were extremely labor intensive and highlighted the interplay of light and shadows. Wall crowns would emphasize the traditional vertical wall to the horizontal ceiling.

Continuity and replication became an important component of the overall pattern. The Romans departed from the Greek style by simplifying their designs. They employed half-round and quarter-round shapes. Both cultures symbolized status and nobility measuring the degree of molding employed in public buildings.

Detailing such as columns, flutes, bases, friezes and motifs became a fundamental character of Victorian design patterns and were incorporated into the Parisian overhaul by Baron Haussmann.

Decorative stonework and plasterwork emphasized social hierarchy in both interior and exterior designs. Ornate moldings underlined a building or room’s importance. Heavy and intricate decoration features were utilized to impress. Builders and architects historically determined the design patterns employed. For example in the interior, fruit and harvest themes might décor a kitchen or dining room. Floral patterns could define a lounge or drawing room.

By the 19th