The town painted in trompe l’oeil

Gilbert Coudène travels around the world so that every city on earth can profit from the monumental works of the "Cité de la Création" and discover the work of his team of artists, who, from time to time, also undertake the job of ambassadors for the "Capital of Gaul"

Tourists are often staggered as they visit Lyon. It is true they come for the numerous qualities of the town, some more attractive than others -notably the ensemble of Renaissance architecture in "Vieux Lyon" quarter.   All the treasures of the city mean that Lyon has the honour of being listed as Unesco heritage.

But what can be said, for instance, about the "des Canuts" fresco which jumps out at you on the "Croix Rousse" plateau, about the "des Lyonnais" fresco on the "quai Saint Vincent" or even about the "Babel fresco" that covers the entire crossroads area, between "Berthelot" avenue and "des Etats-Unis" boulevard, next to the "Maison de la Danse".

The whole world passes thru Lyon for the light festival, an event which profits immensely from the painted walls.

Moreover when you know that the "Cité de la Création" has signed more than 400 urban works in Lyon, Barcelona, Mexico, Angoulême, Mulhouse, Biarritz, Marseilles, Brest, Paris, Leipzig, Lisbon, Jerusalem, Quebec... and that in 2006, the artists will invest Naples, Amadora in Portugal, Shangai and  Lyon 1^st district to celebrate the centenary of the Lyon Orchestra, you will realize the spectacular development of the knowledge of this amazing and gifted town, capital of the "Rhône-Alpes" region.

Let us not forget that all these frescoes are not all imposing ones: small cities, confidential quarters, redo their faces and offer a face lift to numerous urban objects each one different from the other. From monumental scenographies to intimist works, the "Cité de la Création" is present at every adventure.