By Margot Delpech
Published on 26 Dec 20 at 12:26
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AT Rions (Gironde), next to Cadillac, is a 110-year-old Popular Circle. First along the ditches then rue du Lhyan, at the Rionnais and finally, in a cellar on the Place d’Armes. Since the 1920s, Le Cercle has been the image of the city: alive and full of stories. Moreover, the municipal council of Thursday, December 17, 2020 once again underlines its importance in the medieval city.
During the Rionnaise assembly, the agreement for the use of the premises of the building, 13 rue du Lhyan, was signed with the association “the Cercle Populaire rionnais”. Good news for the president of the association, Pascal Gorenflos, very moved at the end of the council.
“We can’t wait to reinvest the place, it’s such an important space for us. We have waited so long, says the president of the association, finally! “
A Circle up to date
–Thus, the ground floor will form a single room with disabled access and the back kitchen which will store equipment. There will also be a securing of the floor which will remain, for the moment, unoccupied. And above all, a brand new qualified wood stove. The mayor ensures that this stove will be supplied by the town hall with a certificate of conformity.
For 110 years, Le Cercle has remained popular
Along the ditches in Rions in 1909, “Le Cercle Populaire” opened its doors and by order of the prefect, it was dedicated only to men. In the 1920s, the latter became “Le Cercle” and was moved to rue du Lhyan where he still did not tolerate the arrival of women and minors. And this, until the 1950s. An intimate place where artisans, merchants and debauchery workers met to share a game of billiards, read the newspaper, play cards and taste a few glasses of wine … These popular places located, in large part, in the Landes and in the south of the Gironde, have formalized their associative statutes. For members, it was easier by this statute to obtain grants. Within these walls, fraternity was held high in hearts. Today, Le Cercle de Rions has kept this same spirit where friendship is central. Fortunately, the place is shared with women and children. Every weekend and a few evenings during the week, the volunteers get busy to offer evenings, entertainment and highlight local products.
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“People will find this authentic place”
If the Cercle rue du Lhyan building is closed pending restoration, its soul remains in a wine storehouse near Place d’Armes. Its president, Pascal Gorenflos, also in the association of Cercles de Gascogne in which is registered that of Rions, confides: “We are lucky to have this cellar available while waiting for the reopening of the Cercle, rue du Lhyan. It should reopen next year and get back to normal. People will find this authentic place for a drink. ”
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