Lyon Armenian Genocide Memorial

The Lyon Armenian Genocide Memorial comprises 36 white concrete pieces supported by stones brought directly from Armenia near Place Bellecour. Informational plaques in multiple languages explain the historical context of the Armenian Genocide to visitors.

The memorial was inaugurated on May 24, 2006, as the result of collaboration between Lyon's Armenian community and the municipal government. The Armenian community funded two-thirds of the construction costs while the city provided the remaining financial support.

The memorial bears inscriptions featuring poems by Kostan Zarian and serves as a gathering space for commemorative events throughout the year. It holds significance for the Armenian community as a place to honor their shared history.

The memorial is located near Place Bellecour and is freely accessible throughout the year. Visitors can take their time reading the multilingual informational plaques and exploring the site at their own pace.

The structure was designed by Leonardo Basmadyian and incorporates authentic stones from Armenia within its concrete construction. This physical connection to the homeland creates a direct link to the past that visitors can feel when standing at the site.

Location: 2nd arrondissement of Lyon

Inception: 1986

Official opening: April 24, 2006

GPS coordinates: 45.75639,4.83389

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06