what future for this funfair?

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This 2024 edition of Vogue des Marrons, historical popular festival from the Croix-Rousse district in Lyon, once again brings its share of controversies. While local residents denounce nuisances and fairground workers defend themselves, no one seems able to agree.

Residents of the Vogue des Marrons call out news Lyon : “None of the articles we read in the press describe reality.” Let us paint an objective picture of this situation which appears ready to fester.

A status quo disrupted by mediation

We revealed it at the beginning of October: the 2024 edition of Vogue des Marrons, which will end on November 11, is taking place without the Ultimate Speed. This famous thrill ride is one of four of six attractions of the category, the most criticized by local residents.

The latter are “exhausted” from “living through hell” caused by the nuisance linked to customers’ cries and strobe lights.

Local residents said “stop the damage” at the end of the 2023 edition. Threatening the City of Lyon legal actions in an open letter distributed exclusively by news Lyonthey obtained appointments with an independent mediator commissioned by the town hall.

The fairgrounds protested in the media for not having been included in the debates. But this mediation did not concern the fairgrounds, because it is the elected officials who issue the Territory Occupation Authorizations (AOT). Some fairgrounds seem to forget that the territory of Croix-Rousse does not belong to them during the seven weeks of their installation!

A mediation denounced by the fairgroundsworried about not having been invited to the table. During which many demands were shared, aimed at reducing the Vogue des Marrons in its duration, its schedules and its number of rides.

Changes ultimately at the margins

At the end of this mediation, “ended by the dissatisfaction of local residents” according to the latter, only two modifications were imposed to the fairgrounds: the disappearance of the Ultimate Speed, therefore replaced by a Ferris wheel which is very successful, and a reduction in hours “so that the screaming rides begin after the children’s learning hours”, justify the local residents .

We were able to consult them: the first municipal decree set an opening from 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, rather than 10 a.m., applied to the six thrill rides only (rather than 10 a.m.). The schedules of other rides and stands (the vast majority) have not been changed, contrary to what has been suggested.

Worried about these changes, the fairgrounds led a legal attack against the City of Lyon… ended in failure. The administrative court of Lyon disavowed the request to suspend these measures, described as “attacks on fundamental freedoms” by the fairground workers.

Enough to fuel the anger of the fairgrounds

This did not prevent the showmen from claiming that “the opening hours of the Vogue des Marrons have been reduced by 50%”. A untruth quickly accompanied by a warning: to block traffic on the boulevard if they did not win their case.

Unless they are forced to do so and no longer have any solution, the latter are ready to do anything to defend Vogue, which has been around for almost 200 years. Even to open “at their discretion”, outside the hours provided for by the decree, as they had warned. The latter see the restrictions piling up and believe that Vogue is in danger.

The City seeks the happy medium

Their point of view is the following: “We have a hundred complaints while we brew hundreds of thousands of people. […] It’s a big job to bring this fair here every year, which brings life to the neighborhood. We do this to make customers smile. […] Why would we part with our thrill rides? Young people say there aren’t enough! We respond to demand while seeking a happy medium and making compromises. »

In a decree finally revised, the City of Lyon has decided to bring forward the start time for thrill rides Wednesday at 1 p.m. during school term (rather than 5 p.m. in the first version compared to 10 a.m. in 2023).

A happy medium allowing to avoid nuisances for schools nearby while maintaining a wide opening for thrill rides?

What future for the Vogue des Marrons?

In any case, the fairgrounds and local residents continue to fight through committees. But in all this, what future awaits Vogue? The mayor of the 4th arrondissement, Rémi Zinck, is very eloquent: “It is no longer tenable […] This offer is not satisfactory,” he complains to Lyon Tribune.

But it is not up to him to make the decision: the deputy mayor of Lyon Valentin Lungenstrass is responsible. “I’m like a tightrope walker: it’s a complicated subject, there is no objective trutheveryone has their own,” he tells news Lyon.

We have made proposals which for local residents do not go far enough, for fairgrounds they go too far… Cleaning, security, sanitation, pedestrian paths… There are still improvements to be made.

« The Vogue of Maroons will stay at Croix-Rousseit must be said again. » The elected official is more moderate than his colleague.

La Vogue remains at Croix-Rousse, but in what format?

One thing is certain: the town hall will not compromise on the subject of the requalification of the boulevard de la Croix-Rousse, where the future planting of trees encroaches on the spaces dedicated, seven weeks of the year, to fairgrounds. A “major change that will cause changes location of rides”.

“The work of the fairground workers is nevertheless constructive, because we are able to move forward. It remains an important event and we need it too! “, he assures.

The elected official is convinced: “We must try to advance the Vogue des Maroons and the quality of life of citizens, in the interest of everyone. We must move forward step by step and calm things down. » He warns: “Because otherwise it will be lose-lose. On this subject, there cannot be a party that wins alone.”

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