Three meters above the ground. That’s how high the main entrance of the Église du Bon-Pasteur sits. Can you imagine?
The Église du Bon-Pasteur stands proudly on the slopes of La Croix-Rousse in Lyon. It’s a beautiful example of Poitevin Romanesque architecture. This church isn’t just a building it’s a story etched in stone and stained glass.
Its history began in 1855 when Cardinal de Bonald founded the parish. A small church opened in 1856. Napoleon III and his wife even agreed to be godparents to all children born that day. The priest Callot cleverly asked them to adopt his new church. An imperial decree officially recognized the Parish of the Bon Pasteur.
Construction of the current church started in 1869. Emperor Napoleon III himself laid the first stone. Clair Tisseur the Lyon architect designed it. The City Council generously gave 400000 francs for the project. However Father Durant who oversaw construction wanted a taller tower. This changed Tisseur’s original plans. The church opened in 1879. Archbishop Caverot consecrated it in 1883.
During construction workers unearthed Roman tiles covering animal bones. This intriguing discovery adds a layer of mystery to the church’s foundation. The most curious detail however is the inaccessibility of its main entrance. It’s three meters off the ground. Why? Anticlerical sentiment during the Third Republic prevented demolition of the nearby barracks. Building a staircase would have required that demolition. The lack of a proper staircase is a lasting reminder of that historical conflict.
The beautiful stained-glass windows were made by Bégulé. The paintings are the work of Tony Trollet. Unfortunately the Église du Bon-Pasteur fell into disrepair. It wasn’t used for Catholic services after 1984. The École nationale des beaux-arts de Lyon used it as a showroom until 2008. Sadly they left it in a state of neglect. It has faced vandalism and squatting. The church’s future remains uncertain. However its unique history and architectural quirks continue to fascinate all who see it. It remains a poignant reminder of the interplay between faith politics and urban development in Lyon. The Église du Bon-Pasteur is more than a church. It’s a testament to the enduring power of history.