At the dawn of the 1970s, Lyon's underworld was already firmly established and certain networks were thriving, particularly thanks to prostitution rings. The Peninsula and the banks of the Rhône became especially lucrative territories for local crime syndicates. Among the figures who dominated this milieu, Jean Augé, nicknamed the "Pasha", was presented as one of Lyon's great godfathers.
But a new generation of crooks was soon about to take Lyonnese crime to the next level. In 1970, Edmond "Momon" Vidal and several accomplices formed the Gang of Lyonnese, a team specialized in spectacular heists. Their most sensational job came in 1971 in Strasbourg, with a haul of over 11 million francs.
The Gang of Lyonnais, the most famous group of criminals in Lyon's criminal history.
The "Sheriff" facing Lyon's underworld
Faced with this rise in crime, investigating judge François Renaud decides to tackle the Lyon underworld head-on. With his unconventional appearance and determination, he quickly earns the nickname "Sheriff". His investigations lead him notably to prostitution networks and to the supposed links between organized crime and the political sphere.
Magistrate François Renaud, first investigating judge at the Lyon Courthouse, was investigating alleged links between organized crime and political power - © Maxppp
His relentless pursuit eventually made him a target. During the night of July 2 to 3, 1975, François Renaud is shot dead by several men as he returns home in the 3rd arrondissement of Lyon. His assassination causes a genuine national shock: never since the Liberation had an active judge been killed in France.
The tragedy that seals the myth of "Chicago-on-the-Rhône"
Judge Renaud's death definitively propels Lyon to the heart of stories about organized crime in France. The case, officially unsolved for decades, fuels questions about the relationships between the underworld, certain political circles, and institutions. At t
By the end of the 1970s, the arrests of the Lyon Gang and the disappearance of several underworld figures gradually marked the end of this era. The nickname "Chicago-on-the-Rhône" eventually became part of Lyon's dark history.Today, this decade continues to fascinate. Quais du Polar, books, documentaries and urban walks keep alive the memory of this city where organized crime had taken considerable hold. Another side of Lyon, much darker, but now firmly rooted in its historical heritage.