Behold the Nouveau Palais de Justice. What if justice could have a modern face in a historic city? This is not just a building. It’s a cornerstone of Lyon’s legal system.
The Nouveau Palais de Justice represents a significant moment in Lyon’s judicial history. It stands in the Part-Dieu district. This location allowed the transfer of several key tribunals in 1995. The Tribunal de Grande Instance, Tribunal d’Instance, and Tribunal de Commerce de Lyon all found new homes here. The Cour d’appel of Lyon and the Cour d’assises du Rhône remained in the historic courthouse. The historic courthouse is now called the Palais de Justice Historique de Lyon.
Let’s step back in time. The site where the Palais de Justice Historique de Lyon now stands has been dedicated to justice since the 13th century. For six centuries, the Maison de Roanne stood here. It served as both a palace of justice and a prison. Witnesses described it as austere and even feudal. A fire ravaged this building in 1622. Justice continued in the remains. But a new building was needed.
The construction of the Palais de Justice Historique was a major undertaking. Louis-Pierre Baltard was chosen as the architect. His son, Victor Baltard, is famous for designing the halls of Paris. Louis-Pierre’s first design followed the antique model. It included a frontispiece and columns.
A competition was launched in 1828. Baltard proposed two locations: rebuilding on the existing site. His other idea was on an island in the Saône. He argued for the island location. But Lyon’s decision-makers rejected it. They feared excessive costs.
In 1831, there was talk of moving justice to Place Carnot. The next year, reconstruction on the original site was approved. Baltard was put in charge of the project. Baltard turned the building towards the Saône. He showed his foresight because the docks were not yet built.
The first stone was laid in 1835. The city, the department, and the state shared project management. This led to constant changes and conflicting instructions. The main construction ended in 1844. But some details were not finished until later under the Second Empire. Statues were added in 1852. Bas-reliefs were added in 1862.
The Palais de Justice Historique is in the neoclassical style. Baltard believed justice should be dispensed in a majestic and intimidating space. The façade on the Saône is iconic. It has twenty-four Corinthian columns.
Inside the Palais de Justice Historique, the “salle des pas perdus” is impressive. It is 625 square meters and 17 meters high. Two bas-reliefs adorn the hall. One represents Lyon welcoming the arts, commerce, industry, and agriculture. The other depicts justice punishing crime.
Famous trials took place here. Sante Geronimo Caserio was sentenced to death in 1884. He murdered President Sadi Carnot. Charles Maurras received a life sentence in 1945. Klaus Barbie was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987. He was guilty of crimes against humanity during World War II.
In 2008, a major renovation of the Palais de Justice Historique began. The aim was to improve working conditions and accessibility. Security was also enhanced. The renovations cost 44.85 million euros. The Ministry of Justice and the General Council of the Rhône funded it.
The Palais de Justice Historique stands as a symbol of Lyon’s legal history. It is nicknamed the “Palace of the Twenty-Four Columns”.