The debate surrounding the change of name of rue Bugeaud, in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon, is fueling tensions between the central town hall of Lyon and that of the 6th arrondissement.
While several associations have requested the renaming of this street, due to the controversial actions of Marshal Thomas Bugeaud in the 19th century, the Lyon town hall has started thinking about the subject. However, the mayor of the 6th arrondissement, Pascal Blache (LR), is firmly opposed to it, denouncing a “sterile and costly diversion“.
Who was Bugeaud?
Thomas Bugeaud, soldier and marshal of France in the 19th century, is a historical figure who played an important role during the colonization of Algeria. Governor general of Algeria from 1840 to 1847, he is infamous for his “scorched earth” policy and the extreme violence inflicted on local populations, notably enfumades, a brutal method of repression which consisted of asphyxiating groups of insurgents refugees in caves. While his actions were praised at the time by some for their military effectiveness, today they are widely condemned as inhumane and reprehensible acts.
If we give in today, other historical figures could suffer the same fate
Pascal Blache, mayor of the 6th arrondissement of Lyon
Pascal Blache, mayor of the sixth arrondissement, published a press release on Friday affirming his refusal to rename rue Bugeaud. According to him, such an initiative would constitute “a subjective rewriting of French history“, and would divert public resources from more urgent challenges such as security, infrastructure renovation and support for local businesses. He also emphasizes the costs involved in a name change: changing street signs, updating administrative documents and information from residents.
Read also: In Lyon, the mayor of the 6th district refuses to rename rue Bugeaud
Blache warns of a snowball effect: “If we give in today, other historical figures could suffer the same fate, threatening the balance between memory and context.“
“I would have preferred that he continued the dialogue with me rather than making statements like that”
As for Lyon town hall, Sylvie Tomic, deputy in charge of memory, regrets Pascal Blache's action plan. “I regret Pascal Blache's communication“, she confides to Lyon Capital. “I kept him informed of my discussions with the associations, I was very transparent with him, and I would have preferred that he continued the dialogue with me rather than making statements like that.“Sylvie Tomic claims to have not been informed of the publication of this press release.
An internal body has been set up and will study the case of rue Bugeaud in the spring
She specifies that the reflection process – regarding the renaming of this street perpendicular to rue Garibaldi – is still ongoing, and that an internal body to examine this request is “being set up.” The latter, which should be formed during the first quarter of 2025, will devote its discussion times to debating the city's memory policy. The rue Bugeaud file will be one of the priorities of this body. Academics and historians will be added to the meetings, to “(the) shed light on the decisions to be made on subjects like this which are thorny“, explains Sylvie Tomic.
“Bugeaud’s actions are completely reprehensible”
Sylvie Tomic, deputy mayor of Lyon in charge of memory
Lyon town hall seems to be leaning in favor of a name change, while taking the time to consult the citizens and elected officials concerned. “Bugeaud's actions are completely reprehensible. Not only during the colonization of Algeria, but even in other contexts. Bugeaud is a character who committed reprehensible acts“, pointe Sylvie Tomic.
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