Grand Temple de Lyon, Protestant church in 3rd arrondissement of Lyon, France

The Grand Temple at 3 Quai Victor Augagneur has a concave Byzantine Revival facade with a central body flanked by two wings and topped by two pilasters. A carved vine frieze runs above the portal, where a bas-relief shows an open Bible inscribed with Matthew 24:35; higher up are an Alpha and Omega and, around the window, John 14:6. Inside, the plan is a Greek cross with three tribunes and a glazed dome.

Pastor Jules Aeschimann proposed a new temple for the Brotteaux district as early as 1860, and after the Franco-German War of 1870 the influx of Protestant refugees from Alsace-Lorraine led the Reformed Consistory to act. The land was bought from the Hospices civils de Lyon on 17 December 1872, and architect Gaspard André built the temple in 1884 with funding of 150,000 francs from the city, 20,000 from the state and 311,000 from the Protestant community. The dedication service was held on 1 May 1884, presided over by Aeschimann in his fiftieth year of ministry in Lyon.

The temple serves as a gathering place for the local Protestant community, hosting both worship services and cultural events that draw visitors throughout the year. You will notice how the interior space brings together faith and the arts, creating a venue where people come for spiritual reflection and musical performances alike.

The building is easily accessible by public transport and sits in a central area of the third arrondissement with good walkability. Be aware that services take place on Sundays and interior access may vary depending on the current schedule of activities.

The 1884 Merklin organ was the first instrument on which Joseph Merklin applied electricity, using an electro-pneumatic "Schmoele & Mols" transmission. Albert Périlhou inaugurated it on 26 May 1884. After the 1922 fire it was rebuilt in 1923-1924 by Michel Merklin & Kuhn with a mechano-pneumatic action, and Promonet's 2002 restoration added a second, mobile digital console.