Start of work 1913 (≈ 1913)
Tony Garnier launched the project.
1919
Resumption of work
Resumption of work 1919 (≈ 1919)
With the help of German prisoners.
1926
Inauguration of stage
Inauguration of stage 1926 (≈ 1926)
First operational version of the stadium.
1929
Pool construction
Pool construction 1929 (≈ 1929)
Addition of the Olympic pool.
1967
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 1967 (≈ 1967)
Official stadium protection.
1998
Football World Cup
Football World Cup 1998 (≈ 1998)
Major renovations for the event.
2017
Installation of LOU Rugby
Installation of LOU Rugby 2017 (≈ 2017)
Reconfiguration for rugby.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The stadium (Case G 134p, 135p, 139p, 139, 140, 148, 150p, 159p, 167p): inscription by order of 4 October 1967
Key figures
Tony Garnier - Architect
Stage designer and visionary.
Jean-Paul II - Pope
Visit in 1986, religious gathering.
Michael Jackson - Artist
Concert in 1997 during the History Tour.
Claudio Beauvue - Football Player
Last OL scorer in Gerland.
Origin and history
The Gerland Stadium, located in the 7th arrondissement of Lyon, is a major work by architect Tony Garnier, initiated in 1913 for the 1914 International Urban Exhibition. The work, interrupted by the First World War, resumed in 1919 with the help of German prisoners. The stadium was finally inaugurated in 1926, although modifications, such as the main entrance, continued until 1932. Initially planned for 30,000 spectators, it is marked by triumphal arches inspired by ancient stages, in reinforced concrete.
The Olympic pool, planned in 1913 in Tony Garnier's project, was built in 1929 to replace the ever-realized "Athlete Quarter". Post-war financial difficulties have delayed some developments, such as the pool lockers. Since 1967, the stadium has undergone many changes, notably in 1961, 1984 and 1998, to adapt to modern sporting requirements.
From 1950 to 2015, the Gerland Stadium was the home of Olympique Lyonnais (OL). Its capacity has evolved from 51,860 places in 1984 to 43,051 in 1998 after renovations for the World Cup. In 2017, the University Olympic Lyon (LOU), a rugby club, settled there after the departure of OL. The stadium is then reconfigured for 35,029 seats, with close stands and VIP spaces added.
The stadium hosted major events, such as World Cup matches (1998), concerts (Michael Jackson 1997), and rugby matches, including the 2007 Rugby World Cup in XV. He was also the scene of record-breaking crowds, like the 48,552 spectators in 1980 for a derby OL-AS Saint-Étienne. Since 2017, the LOU has written a new page in its history, with record influxes and continuous renovation.
Visionary architect Tony Garnier designed Gerland as an integrated sport city with a variety of equipment. Despite the successive alterations, its architectural heritage remains visible, especially in the arcades of the enclosure wall. The stadium, owned by the city of Lyon, continues to play a central role in Lyon's sports and cultural life, while being a symbol of modern French heritage.
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