PICTURES. This is how a simple wall became a symbol of Lyon
By Theo Zuili
Published on
It is one of the most visited elements of Lyon’s heritage. But at the origin of this 1,200 m² work of art: “a huge wall” standing on the boulevard des Canuts, “an urban wart that is too visible” and innocuous, adorned with five billboards.
Highlight advertisements
It all started in 1986. The company Avenir, a future subsidiary of JC Decaux, sought to highlight the five advertisements present on this surface.
From a brilliant marketing idea was born the largest painted wall in Europe: a fresco covering the 1,200 m² of the wall is signed by the cooperative born on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse CityCreation.
In 1987, after 9 months of construction, the first version of the mythical Mur des Canuts was completed for a budget of 250,000 euros.
Different versions over time
In 1997, the painters of CitéCréation can pride themselves on having made Lyon “the French capital of painted walls”. Faced with the success of the Mur des Canuts and its millions of visitors, the muralists decided that it should become an evolving work of art.
To bring the work to life and bring it up to date, the painted buildings are transformed and the facades are more colourful. Shops appear on the ground floor and take the place of advertisements while keeping the role of promoting the brands represented.
New and last stage to date: the third version of the Mur des Canuts is scheduled for 2013, in the presence of Gérard Collomb, then mayor of Lyon.
The spirit of making the work evaluated with its time remains: the architectures, shops and facades are updated.
CitéCréation aged the characters again, this time by 15 years. Families grow, the fresco comes alive with new characters and winks. A next step in 2033?
Find the Mur des Canuts at 36 boulevard des Canuts, in the 4th arrondissement of Lyon.
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