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Guignol, Lyon's puppet

Guignol is a glove puppet created in Lyon in 1808 by Laurent Mourguet, a former canut turned puppeteer. With Gnafron and Madelon, he embodies the popular, irreverent spirit of the city.

Laurent Mourguet, from silk to puppets

Born in 1769, Mourguet started out as a silk worker. Unemployed after the Revolution, he became a pedlar and then a fairground puppeteer. He created Guignol in 1808 and formed a troupe with his family. He died in Vienne in 1844.

Guignol, Gnafron and Madelon

Guignol is a mischievous little man, generous and full of common sense, dressed like a worker. Gnafron, a red-nosed cobbler and keen drinker of Beaujolais, is said to have been inspired by a street entertainer in Lyon. Madelon, Guignol's wife, is sharp-tongued but proud of her husband.

A theatre of satire

The puppets' heads are carved from lime wood. The puppeteer stands behind the booth and holds them above his head. In the past the shows let working-class audiences follow current events while mocking the powerful. Guignol was also played in living-room booths until the mid-20th century.

Where to see Guignol

Several companies keep the tradition alive, notably in Old Lyon and in the Parc de la Tête d'Or. The Gadagne museum keeps puppets and booths. Check programmes before you go.

Updated 25 October 2026.