In Lyon, they (re)discover the statues of virgins and saints

They are two women, lecturers by profession, to share the same passion for these statues nestled on the facades of buildings in Lyon: Laurence Benoit and Catherine de Rivaz. In the 1990s, they began their inventory. Verdict: more than 200 statues, whereas there were 400 at the beginning of the 20th century. And for many in an alarming state. “Often in plaster, they are over 150 years old, they are fragile and not all of them can be restored”laments Catherine de Rivaz.

Never mind, these 50-year-olds founded the Madonnas of Lyon association in 2009, in order to convince the owners to take care of their statue, which is in the private domain. “There is a danger that these statues will disappear, emphasizes the Vice-President, yet they are part of our heritage, in the same way as the beautiful doors at the expense of individuals. » With a stumbling block: funding. An arduous task of persuasion, multiplied by the number of co-owners.

Walks to discover the statues of virgins

However, over time, the association managed to raise awareness in the municipality. “Now, when a building is renovated, the condominium receives a reminder from the city to also renovate the statue. » If a resin statue of a few centimeters costs around 200 €, the budget rises to 5 figures for larger models. But sometimes there are small miracles. Thus this promoter deciding to replace an imposing old plaster Madonna, despite the consequent cost.

A competition was then launched, because the association encourages the creation of new works by contemporary sculptors. The winner, Christine Onillon, sculptor in Tours, designed a 1.70 m high statue to occupy the corner niche of the building of the former Charade, in the 3rd arrondissement. Installed in 2019, this Virgin and Child protects a family under her coat, in reference to this former accommodation and social reintegration centre.

Purchased by the association, the mold made it possible to produce another statue the following year, at the corner of rue du Bœuf and rue de la Bombarde. Last June, a work was erected on the facade of a recent building. In project: decorate an empty niche located place des Chartreux.

Once a month, the Madonnas of Lyon offer a two-hour walk to discover these statues of virgins or saints. Eight different circuits take you through the streets of Croix-Rousse, the peninsula, Fourvière… “You can have passed dozens of times in front of a facade without ever having seen the niche, testifies Cécile Fakhri, who joined the association. This guided tour is an eye opener. »

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Put yourself under protection

And to access another reality, spiritual. “For those who have faith, it is also a presence, confirms Cecile. These statues are not just there to decorate; they have a story, a meaning. The owners placed them as an ex-voto or to place themselves under the protection of the Virgin. » The city of Lyon was notably protected from an epidemic of scurvy following the vow of the Aldermen in 1643 who invoked the Virgin in her chapel at Fourvière.

In 1870, the Prussian troops did not arrive as far as Lyon. Catherine de Rivaz points out that “Mary’s face is always resting on passers-by who very often don’t see her! As in the Gospels, her presence is discreet, but she is there, watching us… This Marian spirituality touches me a lot. »

To read: Guide to the Madonnas of Lyon, published by Autre Vue, €10.
The website: www.madonesdelyon.fr
Contact: contact@madonesdelyon.fr

In Lyon, they (re)discover the statues of virgins and saints