Where to see a Guignol puppet show in Lyon?

Laurent Mourguet, Guignol’s Lyonnais father

In 1793, Laurent Mourguet was one of Lyon’s silk workers known as ‘Canuts’. Living in a time of unrest and economic hardship in France, this young man looked for a change of career. After working as a fairground stallholder, he became a tooth puller. As is still often the case today, customers dreaded visiting the dentist, so Laurent Mourguet came up with an idea to entertain his patients: he used Italian puppets, with Pulcinella as the main character, to distract their attention (and hopefully ease their pain a little!). While his shows were at first drawn entirely from the repertoire of Italian puppet theatre, Laurent Mourguet soon developed a taste for improvisation.

His sideline was met with immediate success and, in 1804, Laurent Mourguet officially became a professional puppeteer. He created his own characters: Gnafron, followed by the famous Guignol, who is said to be the spitting image of his father.

Guignol, a children’s puppet?

When Laurent Mourguet created Guignol, he had in mind a spirited young Canut silk-worker, prepared to fight the powers that be and defend social justice. In the shows back then, Guignol commented on current topics affecting the day-to-day lives of people in Lyon. Guignol puppet shows were originally aimed at adults. It was not until the 1950s that the first children’s Guignol puppet shows were performed. Today, these shows are written to entertain and amuse both children and their parents (through the use of double meanings), so Guignol puppet theatre is something that the whole family can enjoy together.

Four places to see Guignol puppet theatre in Lyon

Lyon obviously has no shortage of excellent places to see Guignol and his friends. Here is a selection of four iconic venues to discover this traditional puppet show with your children.

The most bucolic: the 'Véritable théâtre Guignol du Parc de la Tête d'Or'

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Dominik Fusina

One of the reasons for Guignol’s popularity is the famous French film La Grande Vadrouille (Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!). It features an outdoor Guignol puppet theatre (in Paris, but never mind that!), surrounded by tall trees. In many people’s minds, therefore, this children’s puppet theatre should be performed outside surrounded by greenery. If that’s how you prefer it, then you will be delighted by the 'Véritable Théâtre Guignol du Parc de la Tête d’Or'. 

In the heart of Lyon’s green lung, the VTGPTO has entertained children and adults since 1948, putting on plays from the traditional repertoire. Once it’s over, your children can continue to have fun with the merry-go-rounds and various activities on offer in this wonderful park.

The most historical: Théâtre Guignol de Lyon

Would you like to get back to the rebellious nature of Guignol? Make your way to Vieux-Lyon (Old Lyon) to experience the TGL. Next to the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette (puppet museum) (an opportunity to strike two items off your bucket list at once), the Théâtre Guignol de Lyon has inherited more than 250 puppets handed down through the generations. 

Today, the company M.A. has taken up the torch, working to recreate the satirical comedy of the original. Among the theatre’s productions, the family shows stand out for covering contemporary topics like screen addiction and pollution, to keep the tradition of Guignol alive while bringing it up to date. Long live Guignol and his cheeky attitude!

The most transgenerational: Maison de Guignol

Maison de Guignol shows are performed in a setting that would have been familiar to Mourguet, creator of Lyon’s beloved puppet, at the foot of Montée du Gourguillon in Old Lyon, opposite the Café du Soleil.

Since 1965, Maison de Guignol has put on daytime Guignol shows all year round, offering laughs for all the family. In the evening, it puts on café-théâtre shows. 

A fresh take on Lyon’s lovable puppet: Guignol de la Croix-Rousse

The Guignol puppet theatre of Croix-Rousse is the new headquarters of the company Papallamanno, which has taken over from Daniel Streble’s company Guignol un gone de Lyon. Revisiting the character of Guignol, it creates live musical shows with a modern, colourful approach. But the spirit of Guignol remains!

With highly realistic scenery and special effects borrowed from the world of theatre, the company is bringing a fresh style to Guignol shows.