Abattoirs de la Mouche, Slaughterhouse complex in Gerland, France
The Abattoirs de la Mouche is a former slaughterhouse complex in the Gerland district of Lyon, made up of several large interconnected halls built in concrete and glass. The buildings are arranged around a central axis, with high ceilings, wide facades, and a clear separation between the different functional areas.
Construction of the complex began around 1909 under the direction of Lyon architect Tony Garnier and was completed in the early 1920s. Garnier used this project to apply ideas he had developed years earlier in his theoretical plans for an industrial city.
The name "La Mouche" comes from the neighborhood where the complex stands, a former working-class district in the south of Lyon. Today the buildings are partly used for events and cultural activities, giving the old industrial halls a new life without changing their appearance.
The site is in the Gerland district in the south of Lyon, accessible by metro. The grounds cover a wide area, so wearing comfortable shoes is a good idea if you plan to walk between the different halls.
During World War I, the halls were converted into a munitions factory known as the Arsenal de la Mouche, employing thousands of workers. This rapid change of use showed how the original building plan allowed for a very different kind of production without major structural changes.
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