A massive gastronomic complex in the French culinary capital of Lyon, which opened nine months ago, will reopen after the closure of the coronavirus due to the economic consequences of the epidemic, its control said Tuesday.
Until strict regulations of staying at home to involve the coronavirus, the International City of Gastronomy of Lyon presented meals, exhibitions, workshops and tours for gourmets, youth and adults.
“In the face of uncertainty for the economy and tourism, and despite our most productive efforts to save it, we don’t have to reopen the city,” the community managers said in a statement.
The 4,000 square meter (43,000 square foot) facility located in an 800-year-old construction overlooking the Rhone, which during the most part of its history has been the main hospital in southeast lyon.
Since its opening, the complex has been criticized for its lack of cultural content and its maximum load. The exhibitions charge 12 euros ($13.5) and lunch and dinner 29 euros ($33).
“The launch didn’t go well and the design didn’t work. (…) There is no transparent principle, even though some things were a success, like the children’s space,” said Chief Regis Marcon, a member of the strategy. committee, adding that he “did not surprise” through the closure.
Bruno Bernard, newly elected leader of the Green Party of the Lyon region, said the closure is an opportunity for the citizens of Lyon to “recover the iconic site” of the Grand Hotel-Dieu, a former giant hospital that was changed in 2010.