Villeurbanne Named First French Capital of Culture for 2022
The French Ministry of Culture has designated Villeurbanne, a suburb of Lyon with a population of 150,000, as the inaugural French Capital of Culture for 2022. The launch event took place at Place Lazare Goujon, featuring a performance by Compagnie Off and attended by Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin. Villeurbanne, noted for its administrative excellence in 2013, boasts a youthful demographic, with 50% of its residents under 30. The city plans to host more than 700 events, including 200 concerts and 300 performances. Notable events include a spectacle by Royal de Luxe from September 23-25 and a unique Fête de la Musique on June 21. Mayor Cédric Van Styvendael expressed pride in the city's multicultural and working-class heritage.
Key facts
- Villeurbanne is the first French Capital of Culture, a title created by the French Ministry of Culture for 2022.
- The city has 150,000 residents, 50% under 30, and was named best-administered city in France in 2013.
- Over 700 events are planned, including 200 concerts and 300 performances.
- Royal de Luxe will perform a new show from September 23-25.
- The Fête de la Musique on June 21 will connect Villeurbanne and Lyon via a 6-km traffic-free route.
- Twenty-two urban walks (Balades urbaines) are organized by Le Rize.
- The Gratte-Ciel district was built in the 1930s under mayor Lazare Goujon, featuring the Palais du Travail and Hôtel de Ville.
- Cultural institutions include the Théâtre National Populaire, IAC, Pôle Pixel, and Ciné Zola.
Entities
Artists
- Môrice Leroux
- Robert Giroud
- Tony Garnier
- Jean Vilar
- Georges Wilson
- Roger Planchon
- Jean Bellorini
- Mario Botta
- Jean-Luc Courcoult
- Cesaria Evora
- Carlos Santana
- François Mitterrand
- Charles Hernu
- Lazare Goujon
- Cédric Van Styvendael
- Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin
Institutions
- French Ministry of Culture
- Compagnie Off
- Théâtre National Populaire
- Théâtre de la Cité
- Maison du livre, de l'image et du son
- INSA
- Ateliers Frappaz
- Institut d'art contemporain (IAC)
- École nationale de Musique (ENM)
- Pôle Pixel
- Le Rize
- Ciné Zola
- Musée Lumière
- Musée Urbain Tony Garnier
- Royal de Luxe
- Artribune
Locations
- Villeurbanne
- France
- Lyon
- Place Lazare Goujon
- Cours Lafayette
- Rue du 4 Août 1789
- Cours Tolstoj
- Gratte-Ciel
- Palais du Travail
- Hôtel de Ville
- avenue Henri Barbusse
- Cours Émile Zola
- La Doua
- Rodano
- Trocadéro
- Paris
- Nantes