Lyon, known for its traboules and rich historical heritage, played a central role in the French Resistance during World War II. From the arrival of the Gestapo in 1940, the city became a key hub for underground organization. The Gestapo, led by Klaus Barbie, nicknamed “the Butcher of Lyon,” brutally suppressed resistance efforts until the city’s liberation in 1944.
Lyon gave rise to numerous resistance movements, including the Combat movement, founded by Henri Frenay and Bertie Albrecht. This group, one of the most influential, coordinated many actions against the Nazi occupiers. The city is also famously linked to Jean Moulin, sent by General de Gaulle to unify the Resistance. In Lyon, he worked alongside Tony de Graaf, who managed his general secretariat, to structure clandestine forces.
The traboules of Lyon, those secret passageways connecting buildings, provided a safe haven for resistants and a discreet route to evade Nazi forces. Their strategic importance was crucial to many operations.
However, on June 21, 1943, Jean Moulin and seven other resistants were arrested in Caluire, at the house of Dr. Dugoujon, a Resistance sympathizer. This meeting aimed to elect a new leader for the Secret Army after the arrest of General Delestraint. This tragic event, orchestrated by Klaus Barbie, marked a turning point in Lyon’s Resistance efforts.
Today, Lyon honors this history through sites like the Centre for the History of Resistance and Deportation. To learn more about the Resistance and explore these historic locations, Oncity offers guided tours tailored to schools and history enthusiasts.
Discover these unique tours on our website oncity.fr and immerse yourself in Lyon’s fascinating history.
