Sculpture des Guignols, Sculpture in Vieux Lyon, Lyon, France
The Sculpture des Guignols is an outdoor sculpture in the old district of Lyon, France. It depicts the puppet Guignol, recognizable by his round face, leather hat, and large stick called a tavelle.
Laurent Mourguet created Guignol around 1808, drawing on stories he heard from Lyon's silk workers and sailors. A monument honoring Mourguet was erected in 1912, cementing Guignol's place as a recognized figure in the city's memory.
Guignol traditionally spoke with a Lyonnais accent and used local slang, making the character feel close to ordinary people. His image still appears on postcards and shop windows throughout the old city today.
The sculpture is located in the Vieux Lyon district, which is easy to explore on foot and accessible from the Vieux Lyon metro station. A visit pairs well with a walk through the narrow lanes and covered passages of the neighborhood.
During World War I, Guignol appeared on cards and posters to encourage donations and lift the spirits of soldiers, even performing in hospitals and camps near the front lines. This wartime use turned a street puppet into something closer to a public voice for the whole city.
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