Église du Bon-Pasteur, Neo-Romanesque Catholic church in La Croix-Rousse district, Lyon, France
The Église du Bon-Pasteur is a Neo-Romanesque Catholic church located in the La Croix-Rousse district of Lyon with a distinctive tall bell tower. The building sits on rue Neyret with its main entrance positioned approximately 3 meters (10 feet) above street level.
Construction began in 1869 when Emperor Napoleon III laid the foundation stone, but was interrupted by the Franco-Prussian War and finally completed in 1883. This extended building period reflects the political upheavals France experienced during the 19th century.
The building functioned as an exhibition venue for the National School of Fine Arts from 1992 to 2007 after ceasing to be an active place of worship. This shift demonstrates how sacred spaces can find new purposes when their original religious role concludes.
The building is undergoing extensive renovations due to deterioration, and the main entrance remains inaccessible to visitors. It is advisable to check the current conditions before planning a visit to avoid disappointment.
The original architectural plans included a monumental staircase that was never constructed because authorities refused to demolish the military barracks across the street. This unrealized feature stands as a reminder of the tensions between civilian and military interests in 19th-century France.
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