Exceptional archaeological discoveries were made in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon in May 2022 and were unveiled on October 26, 2023. The City, overseeing the restoration work of Saint-Irénée Church, handed over its site to the archaeological service after a mason’s pickaxe revealed a crypt that concealed “a building certainly dating back to before the year 1000.”
“It’s quite spectacular,” said Richard Goulois, a heritage architect who directed the restoration work funded by the City, with support from the State and the diocese. Commencing in December 2021, the restoration efforts included the main facade, stained glass windows, medallions of the apostles, the surrounding wall, and its gateways.
The floors, walls, and vaults of the crypt beneath the church also needed refurbishing. “From the outset, we knew there would be something interesting, but we didn’t expect this,” said Charlotte Gaillard, an archaeologist with the City of Lyon’s archaeological service. “It’s an extraordinary surprise!”
Work had to be halted to allow archaeologists to conduct their investigations. With infectious enthusiasm, the specialist presented the discoveries on October 26, 2023, saying, “It’s quite spectacular!”
An undated vault
Hidden beneath layers of more recent renovations was an “An exceptional five-sided vault in its medieval state, typical of its time, but very surprising to find today.” Traces of painted decorations were also uncovered.
The removal of plaster from the side chapels and the choir revealed ancient masonry, alternating between Seyssel limestone, brick courses, and tufa (porous rock), as well as traces of a marble veneer.
However, conventional dating techniques have not been able to pinpoint the building’s construction date. “It appears to date from the 7th to the 11th century. We will try to date it using experimental techniques. All of this will take a long time,” warns Charlotte Gaillard.
A second phase for finding answers
The restoration work was completed in March 2023, but there is still much to do in the crypt. It was not originally planned, but the rarity of the discovery compels it: “Given the immense archaeological interest represented by the decryption of the choir, the restoration of the crypt has been put on hold to allow for the investigation of a set of elements,” explains Richard Goulois.
The archaeological studies during the second project should bring forth a wealth of answers and new questions! Saint-Irénée is one of the oldest buildings from the Middle Ages in Lyon. The challenge will be to understand how it was all constructed, what the building looked like in its original state. This can shed light on the history of the cult’s origins in Lyon.
This second phase of work is expected to begin in 2024.
