The giant puppets of Royal de Luxe will be returning in 2022 to the streets of Villeurbanne.
All about Royal de Luxe
Royal de Luxe is a French mechanical marionette street theatre company, specialising in giant puppets, that was founded in 1979 in Aix-en-Provence by Jean-Luc Courcoult.
Known all over the globe for its performances, the company tells their stories on the scale of entire cities, creating magical shows in which the giants of Royal de Luxe create innovative urban narratives. Hundreds of thousands of people attend each year.
The Royal de Luxe giants have toured all over the world, and have been seen in places like Belgium, England, Germany, Iceland, Australia, Mexico, Canada, and many more.
Previous Royal de Luxe Performances
The Sultan’s Elephant
Performing in various locations between 2005 and 2006, The Sultan’s Elephant was a show commissioned to commemorate the centenary of Jules Verne’s death.
It featured a giant moving mechanical elephant designed by François Delarozière, that was operated by 22 ‘manipulateurs’, weighed 42 tons, and contained hundreds of moving parts and pumping pistons. Flapping leather ears, a snaking trunk, and wrinkles around the eyes played their part in bringing the Royal de Luxe elephant to life as it plodded along the streets.
Sea Odyssey
One of the most successful events in Liverpool’s history, Sea Odyssey: Giant Spectacular took place over three days in April 2012 in the English City and featured three Royal de Luxe marionettes.
The show commemorated the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, and was inspired by a letter written by 10-year-old May McMurray to her farther William, a steward on the ship who did not survive the sinking.
The giants that took part in the show included the Little Giant Girl, the Giant Uncle, and the girl’s dog Xolo. The story envisioned the uncle, dressed as a diver, finding his brother’s letter in the wreck of the Titanic, and coming ashore to bring his niece news of the ship’s, and her father’s, sad fate.
The puppets were operated by a total of 76 puppeteers and accompanied by a group of live musicians and numerous props.
Jean-Luc Courcoult celebrated the conclusion of the show by jumping into the River Mersey! Legend.
Memories of August 1914 and Liverpool’s Dream
The Little Giant Girl and Xolo were seen again in Liverpool in 2014 as part of a performance marking 100 years since the start of World War I.
In 2018, the Little Giant Girl and Xolo were seen for the final time in Liverpool to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
Royal de Luxe Tour Dates 2022
From 23 to 25 September 2022, the Royal de Luxe puppets can be seen in Villeurbanne as part of the French Capital of Culture 2022 programme, a label created by the French Ministry of Culture. They will be presenting a brand-new and still secret creation over the three days.
Performance Times
| Morning Performance* | Afternoon Performance* | |
| Friday 23 September 2022 | 10am – 12:30pm | 3pm – 5:30pm |
| Saturday 24 September 2022 | 10am – 1pm | 4:30pm – 8:30pm |
| Sunday 25 September 2022 | 11am – 1pm | 3:30pm – 6pm |
Travelling to Villeurbanne
The closest airport to Villeurbanne is Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS). You can take the Rhônexpress every 15 minutes from the airport to Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, where you can then switch to metro line A to get into the centre of Villeurbanne. The entire journey takes less than 45 minutes.
If you’re travelling by train you’ll likely get off the train at Lyon-Part-Dieu, where you can then get on metro line B to Charpennes Charles Hernu, and switch to metro line A to complete the journey into the centre of Villeurbanne.
Buying Lyon public transport (metro/tram/bus) tickets
A single ticket costs €1.90 and can be used for any mode of public transport for up to one hour, and you can use it as many times as you want within this hour – you just must remember to validate your ticket everytime you switch.
You can also buy a book of 10 single tickets for €18, or a 24hr ticket for €6, 48hr ticket for €12, or 72hr ticket for €16.50.
Ticket machines can be found at any metro/tram station or major bus stop.
Lyon City Card
The Lyon City Card costs €24.90 for 1 day, €33.90 for 2 days, €42.90 for 3 days or €51.90 for 4 days for adults.
The card will give you free access to 23 museums and numerous attractions, a return trip on the Rhônexpress, free public transportation on every metro, bus and tram, and discounts at various department stores.
You can take a closer look at what the card will give you and order one here.
What to see and do in Villeurbanne
Parc de la Tête d’Or
The Parc de la Tête d’Or is the largest urban park in France, and contains within its boundaries a zoo, botanical garden, pony rides, shops, shows and rides, giving visitors plenty to do and see.
The park is open 6:30am – 8:30pm from 15 October to 14 April, closing at the later hour of 10:30pm from 15 April to 14 October.
Fourvière Basilica
Built between 1872 and 1884, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière was constructed to thank the Virgin Mary for having spared Lyon from invasion during the Franco-Prussian war.
Known as ‘the upside-down elephant’ by locals, it is one of the most most popular places to visit in Lyon, with excellent views over the city from its hillside position.
Actually made up from two churches, the main church and the crypt down below, the Basilica is richly decorated with mosaics, ornaments, gilded features, and statues to explore when visiting.
It’s open daily from 7am – 7pm, and admission is free.
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
Just south of the Basilica sits the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, a Roman amphitheatre that’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as visiting the theatre, which in the summer hosts musical events, there is a museum, archaeological remains and more to look around at.
The theatre opens 7am – 7pm from 1 October to 30 April, and closes later from 1 May to 30 September at 9pm.
Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste
This Roman Catholic church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and is the seat of the Archbishop of Lyon. It was completed in 1476 after construction began in 1180.
Some of its most remarkable features are the stained glass windows dating from the 12th century. The gothic cathedral also hosts an ornate astronomical clock within its walls.
Admission to the church is free.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon presents both ancient and modern paintings, sculptures and artifacts within the walls of a former 17th-century abbey.
Paintings from such artists as Cézanne, Van Gogh, Degas, Rembrandt, Picasso and more grace the galleries, while antiquities from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece can be seen on display.
The museum is open Wednesday-Monday, from 10am – 6pm, and costs €12 for admission to all collections and exhibitions.
Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon is a Renaissance district on the west River Saône quayside, overlooked by mansions with hidden courtyards and terracotta-tiled roofs. Medieval streets are dotted with fine-dining restaurants, stylish bars, and gorgeous architecture.
It’s worth taking an afternoon to wander the old cobbled streets, searching out the hidden traboules or passageways and shopping in the designer boutiques.
Place des Terreaux
Located in the centre of Lyon, the Place des Terreaux is a square that contains the Bartholdi Fountain, sculpted by the creator of the Statue of Liberty in 1892, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, and the ornate Hôtel de Ville de Lyon – or town hall.
The square is a popular meeting place for locals, and there are many restaurants, cafés and stores to visit in the area.
Staying in Villeurbanne
If you want to stay in the centre of things, then you’re probably better off staying in the Place Bellecour area in central Lyon. This will give you easy access to the train and metro lines, and also puts you within walking distance of most of the more popular attractions. Villeurbanne is just a few stops away on metro line A.
If you want to stay in Villeurbanne however, then staying in a hotel near the Parc de la Tête d’Or will give you access to great views, or finding somewhere close to Cr Emile Zola will keep you near the metro lines if you plan to go further afield.
Read more on the Royal de Luxe official website.
Image Sources
G2016 @ Wikimedia
sw77 @ Flickr
Rodhullandemu @ Wikimedia
Rept0n1x @ Wikimedia
thisislyon
JimboChan @ Pixabay
Christian Hardi @ Pixabay
Jean-Philippe Fourier @ Pixabay