Nestled on the heights of Lyon, the owner of this exceptional architectural gem launches an appeal to the

Nestled in Caluire-et-Cuire, La Sablière is an exceptional area, witness to two centuries of history and heritage. Owned by the same family since 1849, this unique place is today at the heart of a battle for its preservation. Maxime Dehan, descendant of Lyon silk workers and president of the Sablière preservation association, is mobilizing to recognize this architectural and natural treasure.

La Sablière is a true green setting, often nicknamed the “little park of the Tête d’or”. With its 3,500 m2 of Italian-style architectural gardens, its terraces overlooking Lyon and the Tête d’or park, as well as its exotic and botanical garden bringing together 500 species, this estate is a rare and precious testimony to Lyon’s history.

Among the treasures of La Sablière, a greenhouse from the 1850s, older than those of the Parc de la Tête d’or, deserves particular attention. “Here, you are in a greenhouse from the 1850s – therefore older than those of the Parc de la Tête d’or – and everything has been preserved: the rows for the plants, the tiles on the floor, the openings with the pulley system. So, it would deserve a classification in itself, in addition to the inscription gardens“, emphasizes Maxime Dehan.

But previous preservation attempts have failed. Two years ago, classification as a wooded area was refused, as was registration as a historic monument for the entire area. For Maxime Dehan, the urgency is now palpable: “My grandparents are very old, they are 96 years old, and the future of the site is very uncertain. We fear promoters, investors, any buyer who has bad intentions: buying to dismember, to destroy, without respect for the architectural and landscape integrity of the site.”j

Faced with the incomprehension and the urgency, the association for the protection of La Sablière decided to contact the Minister of Culture directly. A request for registration of the gardens as Historic Monuments, accompanied by extensive photographic documentation, will be sent by registered mail to the Ministry of Culture.

La Sabliere is much more than just a property. It is a coherent and remarkably preserved ensemble, documenting the evolution of a Lyon silk house since the Revolution. The gardens retain many historical elements still in place: arbors, mulberry avenue, greenhouse, pavilions and terraces, steps, cistern, historic hydraulic devices.

If this request for protection failed, the association would subsequently launch a petition, as widely publicized as possible. Maxime Dehan hopes to finally obtain the classification of this family property of great heritage value.

In the meantime, the public is invited to support this cause by signing the collective letter and/or by writing a short personal or institutional letter, which will be attached to the file. The meetings in the garden, scheduled for June 5, 6 and 7, will also be an opportunity to discover this jewel perched above Lyon.