A new free mini-exhibition titled "Images de ville" (Images of the City) is now on display at Lyon's municipal archives, featuring photographs of the French city from various perspectives alongside text excerpts. The exhibition will run until December 18, 2025, offering visitors a comprehensive look at urban life in Lyon.
The exhibition, which opened on September 10, is hosted at the municipal archives located in the Perrache district. Organized in collaboration with the Museum of Printing and Graphic Communication (which is currently closed for renovations until 2027), the exhibition presents different perspectives on Lyon, known as the capital of the Gauls. The collection showcases snapshots of urban life that mirror the themes found in Annie Ernaux's 1993 work "Journal du dehors" (Exterior Journal).
The photographic journey takes viewers through diverse locations across Lyon, from the bustling Part-Dieu train station and its shopping center to beneath the bridges spanning the Rhône River. The exhibition also features images of ongoing real estate development projects and the magnificent Old Lyon quarter. These photographs were captured by students from Lumière University Lyon 2 and the National School of Architecture of Lyon, providing fresh perspectives on the city's multiple facets.
Beyond showcasing Lyon's visual appeal, the exhibition invites visitors to explore deeper themes and "trace political and poetic paths in a reflection on social and societal issues." Many of these issues continue to resonate with contemporary society, maintaining relevance thirty years after Annie Ernaux penned her influential texts. The exhibition encourages viewers to consider how urban environments reflect broader social dynamics and community challenges.
The exhibition is conveniently located right at the entrance of Lyon's municipal archives, making it easily accessible to visitors. The archives maintain generous opening hours to accommodate various schedules: Mondays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. As organizers emphasize, admission remains completely free of charge, making this cultural experience accessible to everyone during the autumn season.
