Église Saint-Bernard, Gothic church in Croix-Rousse district, Lyon, France
Église Saint-Bernard is a Gothic-style church that rises along Montée Saint-Sébastien in Lyon. Its facade remains unfinished and the bell tower was never built, both due to financial difficulties encountered during construction.
Construction started in 1857 after local residents requested a new parish church near Place Colbert, with architect Tony Desjardins overseeing the work. Financial constraints left the building incomplete, and it eventually closed in 1999.
The interior holds stained glass windows created by master craftsman Lucien Bégule, showing religious scenes with techniques typical of 19th century work. These windows display the artistic skill that local artisans brought to the space.
The building has been closed to visitors since 1999 and remains inaccessible, while the city of Lyon explores various options for its future. You can view the exterior from Montée Saint-Sébastien street and observe the architecture from street level.
The structure sits above underground networks that have caused stability issues, requiring substantial reinforcement work throughout its existence. These hidden geological challenges beneath the surface contributed significantly to the building's ongoing technical difficulties.
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