Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Madame Garnier's villa, located at 5 rue de la Mignonne in the Saint-Rambert-l'Île-Barbe district of Lyon, is a major work by architect Tony Garnier. Built between 1912 and 1919 in reinforced concrete, it embodies a concrete element of its Industrial City, a visionary urban project. The building, sometimes referred to as "Villa à la Romaine", was intended for Catherine Garnier, wife of the architect and potter artist, who shared her daily life with André Tessier, her future husband after the death of Tony Garnier.

The building includes a garage workshop used by Catherine Garnier for her pottery creations, as well as a garden surrounded by openwork walls and concrete pergolas. This project is part of a series of three villas designed by Garnier on the same street, the first of which was his own residence. The ensemble illustrates its innovative approach combining functionality, aesthetics and landscape integration, characteristic of its work.

Classified as a historical monument since 29 April 1991, the villa has also enjoyed the 20th century Heritage label since 10 March 2003. These protections underline its architectural importance and its role in the modern heritage of Lyon. The villa bears witness to Garnier's audacity, which marked French urban planning and architecture with avant-garde achievements, combining industrial materials and quality of life.

The protected elements include facades, roofs, the terrace with its porch, as well as the garden and its furniture. These details reflect a global conception where the interior and exterior spaces dialogue, typical of the principles defended by Garnier. Today, the villa remains a remarkable example of early 20th century domestic architecture, anchored in the Lyon landscape.

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