Le Veilleur de Pierre, or “The Stone Watchman,” is one of Lyon’s most moving memorials, located near Place Bellecour. Created in 1992 by sculptor Georges Salendre, the monument honors the resistance fighters and deportees of World War II. The figure, carved from stone, depicts a solemn man seated in quiet vigilance, embodying both grief and resilience. His posture conveys the weight of memory, while his gaze reflects the duty to remember those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. The simplicity of the sculpture enhances its emotional power, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on the tragedies of war and the courage of those who resisted oppression. Today, Le Veilleur de Pierre stands not only as a tribute to Lyon’s wartime history but also as a universal symbol of remembrance, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to resonate with future generations.
Lyon FranceLe Veilleur de Pierre is situated at the intersection of Rue Gasparin and Place Bellecour in Lyon’s 2nd arrondissement, at the heart of one of the city’s most iconic and bustling squares. This stone sculpture, created by Georges Salendre and inaugurated in 1948, commemorates five French Resistance fighters executed by German forces in 1944 at this very location. Nearby, visitors have access to the expansive Place Bellecour, known for its vibrant atmosphere, the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, numerous cafés, shops, and the nearby Rue de la République. The church of Saint-Bonaventure and the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers lie just a short walk away, situating the memorial within a rich urban environment blending history, commerce, and culture.
Musée des Confluences
Lyon
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
Lyon
Lugdunum – Musée & Théâtres Romains
Lyon
Musée Lumière
Lyon
Musée Cinéma & Miniature
Lyon
Musée d’Art Contemporain
Lyon
Musée de l’Imprimerie et de la Communication Graphique
Lyon
Centre d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation
Lyon
Musée d’Histoire de Lyon
Lyon
Musée des Arts de la Marionnette
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Musée d’Art Religieux de Fourvière
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Maison des Canuts
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Musée Henri Malartre
Lyon
Musée Jean Couty
Lyon
Musée Urbain Tony Garnier
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Association Soierie Vivante
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Musée Soieries Brochier
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Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine et de la Pharmacie
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Musée des Moulages
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Théâtre des Célestins
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Théâtre des Marronniers
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Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse
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Théâtre Guignol de la Croix-Rousse
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Lugdunum Roman Theatre
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Théâtre Tête d’Or
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Improvidence Café-Théâtre
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Galerie Ceysson & Bénétière
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Galerie Valérie Eymeric
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Galerie Racont’Arts
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Galerie Carré d’artistes
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Galerie Le Réverbère
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Galerie MASUREL
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Galerie Vrais Rêves
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Palais archiépiscopal de Lyon
Lyon
Château de La Motte
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Fort de Loyasse
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Fort de Vaise
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Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Lyon
Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste
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Basilique Saint-Martin d’Ainay
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Église Saint-Nizier
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Église Saint-Bonaventure
Lyon
Église Saint-Polycarpe
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Église Saint-Just
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Lyon Armenian Genocide Memorial
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War Memorial on Île du Souvenir
Lyon
Fontaine Bartholdi
Lyon
Monument de la République
Lyon
Statue de l’Allégorie de la Ville de Lyon
Lyon
Mémorial de la Shoah
Lyon
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Lyon
Jardin Botanique
Lyon
Parc des Hauteurs
Lyon
Jardin Rosa Mir
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Parc Sergent Blandan
Lyon
Roseraie Internationale
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Zoo de Lyon
Lyon
Aquarium de Lyon
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Tour Part-Dieu
Lyon
Tour Métallique de Fourvière
Lyon