The bell tower of Charity

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The Charité bell tower in Lyon is an emblematic element of the city. Located near the Hôtel-Dieu, this historic building has a rich history.

  • 1529 and 1531 : Famines in France, following a period of drought, lead to an influx of migrants to Lyon.
  • 1534 : Faced with the distress of the population, the General Alms was created at the Cordeliers convent to offer help.
  • 1581 : The General Alms decided to build the Charity Hospital to better meet growing needs. Several sites were considered, including the one near the current Place des Terreaux.
  • June 21, 1581 : Despite the initial intention to build the hospital on the old moats of the Lanterne (now Place des Terreaux), the project was abandoned due to financial constraints. The site would eventually be used for the construction of the Hôtel de Ville de Lyon, sixty years later.
  • December 2, 1614 : The institution of the General Alms acquires land between Place Bellecour and the Rhône, thus facilitating the transport of the sick, in particular to the Hôtel-Dieu.

Following the gradual demolition of the Charité hospital, a petition was created in favor of preserving the hospital bell tower. This petition gathered nearly 9,000 signatures before being given to Édouard Herriot. At the same time, an anonymous donation of 300,000 francs was generously offered for the preservation of the bell tower. In 1935, Édouard Herriot expressed his desire to preserve the bell tower during an announcement to the municipal council.

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Pierre Bossan

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