Lyon has designated the Pali Pali group to manage and run a future community venue dedicated to the ecological transition in the former École des Beaux-Arts. The heritage building, on rue Neyret on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse, is the subject of a rehabilitation programme estimated at €15 million. The choice of an operator gives the project a team ahead of works planned for 2027, and the venue is expected to welcome its first visitors from 2028.
Who will run the venue
The decision follows a call for projects that the city launched in 2024. Pali Pali works with several partners:
- Pourquoi Pas, an architects’ collective;
- Théâtre du Bruit and Scène 27, cultural and event programmers;
- Archipel Kyosei, a mediator;
- Greenpeace.
The group aims to create a place open to all, where culture, awareness actions, training, debates and participatory workshops on environmental and social questions will come together.
A heritage building with several uses
The former École des Beaux-Arts covers nearly 6,000 m². To preserve this heritage while giving it a new purpose, the city has been carrying out a rehabilitation programme since 2020, estimated at €15 million. In the long term, the site will house three structures: the city’s archaeology service, the École de la Résilience and the community venue.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Building area | nearly 6,000 m² |
| Rehabilitation programme | estimated €15 million, under way since 2020 |
| Call for projects | 2024 |
| Start of works | 2027 |
| Gradual opening | from 2028 |
What happens next
The preparation phase of the project now continues ahead of the start of works, planned for 2027. The site will then open gradually from 2028.
The project is linked to Lyon 2030, the city’s approach to the ecological transition. The city aims to reach climate neutrality in 2030. Through Lyon 2030, it brings together local actors to find responses specific to Lyon and to act concretely.