“Here lived a champion” I bet you didn’t expect such a powerful statement from such a small plaque. We are standing before the Justin Godart Plaque. It commemorates a man who significantly shaped Lyon. This plaque marks a place where Justin Godart lived. He was a key figure in Lyon’s history.
Justin Godart served as Lyon’s provisional mayor. He held this position from September 6, 1944, to May 18, 1945. This was a crucial time after Lyon’s liberation. The Vichy government’s delegation was dissolved. Justin Godart stepped up to lead.
On September 3, 1944, Lyon was liberated. Yves Farge appointed Justin Godart as provisional mayor. The official appointment came on September 6. On September 10, Édouard Herriot was re-elected mayor. However, Herriot was absent. The council chose Justin Godart to continue as provisional mayor.
Justin Godart had a long political and legal career before becoming mayor. He was known for his strong historical awareness. Justin Godart initiated the creation of the Gadagne Museum. He donated a significant archive to it.
Justin Godart was a lawyer and a member of the Radical-Socialist party. He served as deputy mayor and then mayor of Lyon. He was also a deputy for Lyon and a senator for the Rhône. Additionally, he was a minister on several occasions. Justin Godart supported numerous social works and associations. These were both French and international. He was a member of several learned societies. A great defender of Lyon’s identity, he passionately collected items related to the city’s history.
Some archives specifically concern Justin Godart’s term as mayor. These were found among Édouard Herriot’s correspondence. Despite his short term of 8.5 months, Justin Godart left a mark.
Justin Godart occupied the mayor’s seat until Édouard Herriot returned in 1945. Municipal elections took place on April 29 and May 13. Édouard Herriot won again despite his absence. The new council was installed on May 18. A few days later, Justin Godart greeted Édouard Herriot at Bron Airport. Herriot was returning from deportation. Justin Godart returned his mayoral scarf.
Many of Justin Godart’s publications are in the Archives of Lyon library. This includes his law doctorate thesis. It was titled “The Silk Worker: Monograph of the Lyon Weaver, Historical, Economic and Social Study”. Most of his works focus on Lyon’s history.
The Lyon archives preserve records of Justin Godart’s public speeches. These include speeches from 1906 to 1953. He spoke on various occasions, including:
* Franco-Swiss convention on pure silk fabrics in 1906.
* Inauguration of the monument to Laurent Mourguet in 1912.
* Centenary of the Martinière in 1934.
* Before the Municipal Council at the start of his term as mayor in 1944.
* In honor of General de Gaulle’s visit to Lyon on September 14, 1944.
* At the Immigrants Meeting on October 7, 1944.
* Before a Minister on November 21, 1944.
* In favor of the national subscription on December 5, 1944.
* In memory of the Basch couple on January 4, 1945.
* Before the Ambassador of Great Britain on April 11, 1945.
* Before the Municipal Council for the closure of the provisional council’s work on April 23, 1945.
* Before the Ambassador of the USSR on April 24, 1945.
* About the liberation of Édouard Herriot on April 26, 1945.
* On the occasion of the First of May celebration on May 1, 1945.
* Before the Municipal Council, a few days before Édouard Herriot’s return on May 18, 1945.
* In praise of Lucien Tendret in 1953.
The Municipal Official Bulletin of the City of Lyon dedicated 28 articles to Justin Godart between 1994 and 2010. Most were written by François Bilange. He is Justin Godart’s grandson. He sought to revive his grandfather’s lost memory. The topics covered extend beyond Lyon. They reveal many facets of this prominent activist.
After Justin Godart’s death, Édouard Herriot sent condolences to his family.
In late 1957, a commemorative plaque was placed on Justin Godart’s birthplace at 21 Avenue de Saxe. In 1962, the Lyon Municipal Council named the Montée Rey in the 4th arrondissement after Justin-Godart. In 2018, Montée Justin-Godard was renamed Rue Justin-Godart. In 1971, the Gadagne Museum organized an exhibition on Justin Godart. This was on the centenary of his birth. A room in the Renaissance hotel is named after him. In July 1997, a commemorative plaque was placed on the facade of 46 Quai Saint-Vincent. It stands next to a plaque for Georges Cohendy. In 2004, Lyon Mayor Gérard Collomb named the grand reception hall of the City Hall “Salon Justin Godart.”
Though not widely known, Justin Godart was a major political figure. He shaped the first half of the 20th century.
Now, as you stand before this plaque, remember Justin Godart. Remember his dedication to Lyon. Remember his commitment to justice and progress. He deserves to be remembered.