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Villeurbanne

Second city of the Rhone, it has its own identity from its Gratte-Ciel installed in the 30s, as its labor history and its cultural mix.

The Metropole de Lyon

This common dynamic of the agglomeration is illustrated in many disciplines: nature discovery with the Feyssine Park and the banks of the Rhone, cultural discovery around the Institute of Contemporary Art, the TNP, the cultural center Le Rize , movie studios ... Not to mention all the offer of shows of the theaters and concert halls of the town.

Les Gratte-ciel de Villeurbanne © Claire Morel

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“Working-class” is a hackneyed term, but in Villeurbanne it takes on its full meaning again. And not only at the Théâtre National Populaire (TNP, i.e., working-class national theatre). In this town with its working-class tradition, all culture is working-class. Firstly its industrial and working-class heritage, which definitely deserves a visit! The impressive hydroelectric power plant in Cusset on the Jonage canal has been active since 1899. In the Parc du Centre, a stunning 40-metre chimney reimagined by artist FV bears witness to its early 20th century industrial past. In Flachet, the Gillet workers’ housing estate gives visitors the chance to see 20th-century houses with gardens. In Ferrandière, the Jardin des Tout-Petits Adolphe-Lafont has been entertaining children with the same set-up since the 1930s.

The must-see Gratte-Ciel (i.e., skyscraper) neighbourhood, a listed 20th-century heritage site, is well worth a guided tour to check out the revolutionary aspect of its social housing built back in the 1930s. Fancy finding out more about Villeurbanne’s heritage? Le Rize is an ultra-dynamic museum complete with a media library and concert hall, which teaches visitors about every aspect of the town’s history and organises urban walks around its neighbourhoods.

TNP, IAC, ENM: a culture of diversity

Villeurbanne’s cultural venues are also marked by their multiculturalism. Because hospitality is etched deep into the DNA of Villeurbanne residents! From protestants enjoying freedom of religion in Charpennes in the 19th century to Canut silk workers seeking refuge outside Lyon in the 19th century, plus immigrant populations moving to work in the textile factories in the 20th century, Villeurbanne has developed a real tradition of hospitality. This has created a fascinating multicultural melting pot that has shaped all the town’s institutions, from programmes to audiences.

For the prestigious TNP, whose founding was driven by a desire to make theatre accessible to as wide an audience as possible, outreach to the general public is a priority. It puts on shows by both national and local theatre companies.

The main mission of the Institut d’Art Contemporain (IAC, i.e., institute of contemporary art) is also to raise awareness of contemporary art by putting on an extensive programme of events.

The URDLA, which exhibits lithographic works, hosts events for all audiences.

And the École Nationale de Musique (ENM, i.e., national school of music) is open to all aesthetics, particularly world music, songwriting, rap, and amplified music.

Finally, Le Zola, France’s biggest single-screen cinema, sets itself apart based on its non-profit status and the unusual events it puts on: short-film night, an Iberian and Latin-American film festival, and a British and Irish cinema weekend.

Varied festivals in Villeurbanne

On top of the events at Le Zola, a large number of cultural events are organised throughout the year. These include: Les Invites at Les Ateliers Frappaz, the biennial summer street art festival, and the Vivez l’Été festival held all across town over the summer.

Music lovers will appreciate the programme put on at the CCO, the social and cultural innovation laboratory, concerts at the unmissable Transbordeur, the cosy Toï-Toï-le-Zinc concert hall, or the Double-Mixte festivals.

Sports fans don’t miss big matches involving ASVEL, Villeurbanne’s famous basketball team.
Finally, every Sunday, flea market fans meet up at Les Puces du Canal. It’s France’s second biggest flea market and also a festive and cultural get-together featuring a programme of events and open-air cafés with an inimitable atmosphere.

In need of a little peace and quiet after this hectic schedule? Head on down to the Feyssine urban nature reserve. You’ll enjoy an unusual atmosphere here, too! This 45-hectare nature reserve - managed on a minimum-intervention basis to promote biodiversity - has been successfully rewilded. This natural oasis between the River Rhône and Boulevard Laurent-Bonnevay is home to a range of species including wild orchids and beavers…

Villeurbanne really is a surprising place!

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Les Gratte-Ciel de Villeurbanne © Gilles Michalet

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Villeurbanne, Thriving urban culture

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Hotels

Ibis Styles Lyon Villeurbanne

130 bd du 11 novembre 1918 - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 89 95 95

www.ibis.fr/9012

Copyright http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/fr/la-necropole-de-la-doua-villeurbanne

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Remarkable sites and monuments

Cimetière National Militaire de la Doua

Remarkable sites and monuments

Cimetière National Militaire de la Doua

30 avenue Albert Einstein - 69100 Villeurbanne

09 64 18 59 77

www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr

Guesthouses

Aux deux Ateliers

37 Petite Rue de la Viabert - 69100 Villeurbanne

06 67 20 74 59

www.aux-deux-ateliers.com

Copyright Gilles Michallet / Ville de Villeurbanne

Festivals

Les Invites de Villeurbanne - Festival pas pareil

From 19/06/2024 to 22/06/2024

Festivals

Les Invites de Villeurbanne - Festival pas pareil

Quartier Gratte-Ciel - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 72 65 80 90

invites.villeurbanne.fr

From 19/06/2024 to 22/06/2024

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Copyright Cinéma Le Zola

Festivals

Festival du Film Court de Villeurbanne

From 12/11/2024 to 17/11/2024

Festivals

Festival du Film Court de Villeurbanne

117 cours Emile Zola - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 93 42 65

www.lezola.com/festival-du-film-court/

From 12/11/2024 to 17/11/2024

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Show venues

Double Mixte

Show venues

Double Mixte

19 avenue Gaston Berger - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 72 44 60 17

www.doublemixte.com

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Bars & pubs

Toï Toï le Zinc

17 - 19 rue Marcel Dutartre - 69100 Villeurbanne

06 95 44 14 88

toitoilezinc.fr

Traditional cuisine

Le Loft

Traditional cuisine

Le Loft

130 boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918 - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 89 95 95

www.ibis.com

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Gourmet haunts

Pignol Gratte-Ciel

Gourmet haunts

Pignol Gratte-Ciel

28 avenue Henri Barbusse - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 84 80 74

www.pignol.fr

Copyright Copyright © 2015 PIXABAY Varhols

Food markets

Food Market Charpennes

From 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024

Food markets

Food Market Charpennes

Place Wilson - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 03 67 67

www.villeurbanne.fr

From 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024

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Craft & Galleries

Le Rize - Centre Mémoires et Société

23-25 rue Valentin Haüy - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 37 57 17 17

lerize.villeurbanne.fr

Copyright www.hammam-cleopatra.com

Wellness and spa

Hammam Cléopatra

Wellness and spa

Hammam Cléopatra

376 cours Emile Zola - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 37 43 03 38

www.hammam-cleopatra.com

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Indoor activities

Laserhero

Indoor activities

Laserhero

39 rue Paul Lafargue - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 72 04 53 88

laserhero.fr/

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Workshops & DIY

Atelier Carobidules

Workshops & DIY

Atelier Carobidules

18 rue Paul Verlaine - 69100 Villeurbanne

06 72 93 10 86

carobidules.canalblog.com

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Guesthouses

Des Toits en Ville

23 Petite Rue Pasteur Villeurbanne - 69100 Villeurbanne

06 16 18 43 41

www.des-toits-en-ville.com

Sabine Serrat

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Gourmet haunts

Boucherie Pinatel

Gourmet haunts

Boucherie Pinatel

42 rue Michel Servet - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 84 82 83

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Speciality Restaurants

Fabioli Villeurbanne

Speciality Restaurants

Fabioli Villeurbanne

34 rue de la Soie - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 72 14 29 13

www.fabioli.fr/

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Exhibitions

Jeune création internationale - 17e Biennale de Lyon

From 21/09/2024 to 05/01/2025

Exhibitions

Jeune création internationale - 17e Biennale de Lyon

11 rue Docteur Dolard - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 03 47 00

www.i-ac.eu

From 21/09/2024 to 05/01/2025

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Festive events

Lyon Beer Festival

From 15/04/2025 to 30/04/2025

Festive events

Lyon Beer Festival

19 avenue Gaston Berger - 69100 Villeurbanne

lyonbierefestival.fr/

From 15/04/2025 to 30/04/2025

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Religious heritage

Eglise Coeur Immaculé de Marie

34 rue Richelieu - 69100 Villeurbanne

04 78 54 07 63

egliseinfo.catholique.fr