Date of tip: April 2002

Source: Benn Williams, bwilli7@uic.edu

Locations: Archives municipales de Lyon

18, rue Dugas-Montbel

69002 Lyon

Tél. : (33) (0)4 78 92 32 50

Fax : (33) (0)4 78 92 32 99

Email : aml@mairie-lyon.fr

How to get there: The archive provides a map at http://www.archives-lyon.fr/Accueil%20(2).html

By train: Lyon is served by fast trains (TGV) at three Lyon train stations: St-Exupéry (airport), Perrache, and Part-Dieux. The Archives municipales de Lyon is practically behind the Perrache station.

By metro: One métro line ends at Gare Perrache.

By tramway: Tramway ligne 1 ends at Perrache.

Language: French. 

Getting started: The archives of the city of Lyon measure twelve linear kilometers and document the functioning of the city from 1294 to the present.

Upon arrival, first-time users must fill out a form and furnish one piece of identification (passport, driver’s license) in order to receive a free one-year user’s card.

Opening Hours: Monday 11 – 5; Tuesday – Friday 8:30 – 5. Please note that during the opening hours, documents cannot be requested from11:45-1:15 and after 4:15pm. Lyon’s Municipal Archives are closed for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

General working conditions: At the section moderne, one room is devoted solely to microfilm and microfiche readers and is the haven for genealogists. The document reading room has approximately thirty tight work stations with an insufficient number of electrical outlets (despite recent remodeling). There are also a few PCs for intranet research with printing capabilities. While most of the archives’ library collection is closed-stacks, there are a number of references works in libre accès. Exact conditions unknown for the section ancienne.

There is a limit on the number of boxes/microfilms that can be consulted per day. Limit?

As for food/dining facilities: There are no dining facilities on the premises but inexpensive take-away restaurants are just around the corner.

Policy on technology: In general, there are no restrictions on the use of laptop computers, digital cameras, and scanners although specific private collections and classified public archives may prohibit the reproduction of documents. 

Photocopy policy: Photocopying is available. If memory serves, photocopying is done by the staff. According to the website, “The Lyon City's Archives can provide copies of record documents if their condition allows it. Copies will be charged for and will be made by a member of our staff, after permission from the manager of the reading room. We will not allow copies of bound record documents and books, nor of documents that are fragile and may be spoilt. Copies of microfilmed and digitalised documents can be done with the copying machines provided for, according to our present conditions. Photographic and digital copies can be made on request by our photographer. Readers can make copies of documents with their own camera providing they have permission to do so and they observe certain conditions.” Cost?

Particularities: Very modern facilities. The archive seems well organised and preliminary searching can be done online at http://www.archives-lyon.fr/faire_une_recherche/index.html. Documents must be ordered via designated computers and the process can be confusing the first couple of times. Why?

When applicable, bring copies of dérogation authorisations to avoid delays and hassles.

Lockers are available and mandatory.

How to apply for classified files: Restrictions generally imposed by the donor (of private collections) and by the law of 1979 governing access to public documents. A dérogation filed with the archive can take two to twelve months.

Contact name in case of questions regarding classified files: Email aml@mairie-lyon.fr

Etc.: If you are concentrating on the city of Lyon, consider visiting the Archives départementales du Rhône (sections moderne and/or ancienne), the Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon, the Centre d’histoire de la résistance et de la déportation, and the Archives de l’Archevêque. 

Places to Stay: The youth hostel in Vieux Lyon provides the least inexpensive accommodations, boasts a great view of the city, and it possesses two internet access points and a small bar.