"La Sablière is the last witness of Lyon still unprotected," laments Maxime Dehan, grandson of the current owner, in comments gathered by France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This Lyonnais is fighting to preserve this place, a legacy of several generations. But despite their repeated efforts to have the property listed as a Historic Monument, the Dehan family faces refusal after refusal.
"The ideal would be for us to obtain protections, the listing as a historic monument, so that the Sablière can be passed down through generations. That our grandchildren and great-grandchildren can come visit it just like we do today.", he confides.
A place marked by Lyon's history
Built in the 19th century by Didier Petit de Meurville, a wealthy silk merchant from Lyon, the Sablière has welcomed major figures of French and Spanish history, and houses a magnificent gallery comprising a salon, a billiard room, and reading rooms.
La Sablière around 1910
The garden, on the other hand, is a masterpiece in constant evolution. Jean-Barthélemy Chazottier, followed by Louis Grognot, an engineer and passionate botanist, transformed it into a unique exotic and botanical park. Banana trees, ferns, bamboo… This place, affectionately known as the "little park of the Tête d’Or", showcases a historical connection with the famous Lyon park.
A fight for the future
Today, Michelle Dehan-Grognot, granddaughter of Louis Grognot, and her son Maxime, are looking after this Lyon treasure. They are calling for help to save La Sablière, a place that embodies not only a family history but also a piece of Lyon's soul.
What if this hill became a public space ? A garden where history and nature blend together for the delight of visitors ? For now, the future remains uncertain, but hope is very much alive.
Source : France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes