In time for World Toilet Day 2008 the mailbox of the Lyon City Mayor’s office was filled with postcards showing orange defecating silhouettes. With this exercise, Lyon’s citizens were calling for increased local political action to support of better provision of sanitation for all. Coalition Eau – a network of French NGOs involved in water and sanitation – had brought the “Where Would You Hide?” exhibition to France to create momentum in support of the International Year of Sanitation. A three day event run by Coalition members Triangle Génération Humanitaire (TGH) and Toilettes du Monde (TDM) provided a wide range of information materials and guided tours through the exhibition. Regional media provided excellent coverage in newspapers, local radio and TV. Many visitors expressed their surprise and admitted that they had never thought about the issue until they had been confronted with it through the exhibition. The multiple benefits of sanitation and the extent of the world-wide crisis were new to most. We wouls like to thank everyone who was open to learn and show their support by writing to the mayor.