Armenians in Lyon and Décines
In the 1920s, many genocide survivors found work in the Lyon area. Décines, east of Lyon, became one of the main Armenian centres in France.
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Décines, a town of remembrance
In Décines, the foundation stone of the Armenian church of Saint Mary was laid in 1932. The church stands at 6 rue du 24-Avril-1915, a street given that name on 24 April 1965.
On the same day, 24 April 1965, the foundation stone was laid for the Décines Armenian genocide memorial, the work of the sculptor Robert Darnas. Inaugurated on 4 June 1972, it is the first public memorial to the Armenian genocide in France.
Décines has been twinned with Stepanavan, in Armenia, since 11 April 1992. In Lyon, the foundation stone of the Armenian Cathedral of Saint James was laid on 26 June 1954; it was consecrated on 30 June 1963.
Landmarks
- Armenian genocide memorial, Décines-Charpieu (1972).
- Armenian church of Saint Mary, 6 rue du 24-Avril-1915, Décines-Charpieu.
- Armenian Cathedral of Saint James, Lyon (1963).
Further reading
Our stories about this city
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