Roger Violi Plaque

Who was Roger Violi, and why does his name echo on this quiet Lyon street? Here at the Roger Violi Plaque, we uncover a story of courage and sacrifice. Roger Violi, born in Lyon in 1919, lived a life intertwined with this city. The plaque marks not the place of his death, but a street named in his honor. He was a member of the Resistance groups Libération and Coq Enchaîné, fighting against Nazi occupation during World War II. Roger Violi was arrested at his home on Rue Garibaldi, another street in Lyon that holds a plaque commemorating him. He was tragically killed at the Gestapo headquarters on Avenue Berthelot on November 24, 1943, at the young age of 24. His father, Michel Violi, also a member of the resistance, was imprisoned at Montluc and later died in a concentration camp in 1945. The Roger Violi Plaque serves as a reminder of the bravery of those who resisted oppression, their stories etched into the very fabric of Lyon. The street itself, Rue Roger Violi, is a short, unassuming street. It connects Place Croix Paquet to Quai Lassagne, crossing Rue Royale, another historically significant area. Flanked by 18th-century buildings, the street offers a glimpse into Lyon’s architectural heritage. While the street and the plaque may not be grand, they hold a powerful story. Roger Violi’s memory lives on, a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance in Lyon.