Lyons. Who are these famous people buried in the Loyasse cemetery?

It is the oldest cemetery still in use in Lyons. Created in 1807, then enlarged in 1853, the Loyasse Cemetery is located on the Fourvière hillin the 5th arrondissement.

A true jewel of Lyon’s heritage, it is frequently visited by tourists since it contains a large part of local history. Indeed, like the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris, many personalities rest there. Here is a non-exhaustive list.

Edouard Herriot, mayor for 52 years

He is probably the best known to have been buried in Loyasse and whose majestic tomb is placed immediately on the right at the entrance to the old cemetery.

The former mayor of Lyon Edward Herriot, born in 1872 in Troyes, moved to Lyon in 1895 to teach at the Lycée Ampère. He was first elected municipal councilor of Lyon in 1904, then became mayor in 1905.

A status he kept until 1957, when he died. In total, he will have been re-elected 10 times by the Lyonnais. In 1912, he had also become a senator, which had enabled him to have a national political career.

Georges Hoffherr, founder of the Georges brewery

This Alsatian is the one who founded the famous Georges brewerynext to Perrache station, in 1836. Before coming to Lyon, Georges Hoffherr was first a brewer and restaurant owner in Strasbourg. He died at the age of 77 in 1873. When he died, his son-in-law Mathieu Umdenstock took over the establishment, whose reputation was second to none.

Pierre Bossan, the architect of the Basilica of Fourvière

Born in 1814 in Lyon, died in 1888 in La Ciotat. Pierre Bossan is one of the most renowned architects of the capital of Gaul. Passed by the School of Fine Arts, he won the first prize for architecture for plans of public baths. A few years later, he notably designed the Saint-Georges church in Vieux Lyon. Then he will realize the major work of his life: the Basilica of Our Lady of Fourvière.

Master Philippe, mystical healer

Nizier Anthelme Philippe, his real name, is a “healing mystic”. A man who, from an early age, would have shown an extraordinary gift, capable of “healing bodies and souls”. It is said, for example, that at the age of 16, he would have brought back to life the son of a friend, in Gorge de Loup…

In his cabinet of magnetism in the 6th arrondissement, he would have treated, for twenty years, “rich and poor in the same way”. Despite the admiration he aroused throughout Europe, he was repeatedly accused of witchcraft and suffered attacks from all sides.

Died in 1905, Master Philip was buried in Loyasse cemetery. His tomb is, still today, one of the most visited. A place of pilgrimage where flowers are regularly placed. Namely that an association in his name exists, responsible for “making known and commemorating his history”.

Vélocio, the father of cycle tourism

Paul de Viviesays ” Velocio“, is a big name in cycling. Considered by many to be the true founder of cycle tourism, he played a major role in the democratization of the practice outside of competition.

In 1886, he founded a magazine entitled “Le Cycliste” in which he encouraged road tourism, shared his opinions and published travelogues. An entrepreneur, he also created his own brand of bicycles in 1892, “La Gauloise”. He died in 1930 in Saint-Etienne.

Antoine Gailleton, mayor and renowned doctor

He is one, with Edouard Herriot and Pierre Thomas Rambaud, of the former mayors of Lyon buried in the cemetery. Antoine Gailleton, mayor of the city from 1881 to 1900, was above all a renowned doctor. Major surgeon of Antiquaille, member of the Committee of Public Safety, he will participate in particular in the improvement of public hygiene during his mandates. He died in 1904.

Many other Lyonnais

We could also cite Jean-Baptiste Willermozthe “father” of Lyon Freemasonry, Amedee Bonnetsurgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu, Pauline JaricotChristian missionary founder of the Propagation of the Faith and of the Living Rosary or even Emile Guimetthe art collector who gave his name to Lyon’s natural history museum, which closed in 2007.

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