High up on a hill, Rue de la Persévérance winds its way through Lyon. This street is a testament to the spirit of its early residents. They valued perseverance. The street forms a loop on the west side of Rue Pierre Audry. It starts at number 78 and ends at 100.
Access to Rue de la Persévérance is limited. It is mainly for residents of the street and surrounding areas. These include Rue de la Gravière, Rue des Cavatines, Rue de l’Aquilon, and Rue de l’Observatoire. This keeps the street peaceful.
The architecture of Rue de la Persévérance is unique. A short section veers away from Rue Pierre Audry. It passes between a garden hedge and the sides of two apartment blocks. After the Allée de l’Aquilon, the street climbs steeply. It goes between hedges and garden walls. The higher part of the street offers views. You can see La Duchère and the Monts d’Or from here.
There is a very wide intersection. Its layout is unusual. It touches Rue de la Gravière. A lamppost stands in the middle of it. The curve of Rue de la Persévérance ends on flat ground. It is surrounded by greenery.
The houses here share a similar design. They are square-shaped. Each has a door and a garage entrance on the ground floor. Above, there are two small windows and a large bay window. In 2020, many houses were renovated. One was still under construction.
Rue de la Persévérance was built as a single development. This happened after the Canque property was sold in the 1950s. The street’s name reflects a quality. It is the quality that the first residents likely admired.
Lyon played a significant role during World War Two. It was known as the capital of the resistance. The city has many monuments and places of memory. These commemorate this period. The traboules are unique to Lyon’s architecture. These passages connect houses. They date back to the silk industry in the 19th century. Workers used them to transport silk. This protected it from the rain. During the war, the resistance used these passages. They used them to move around the city, transport weapons, and conduct black market deals.
The most famous resistance fighter in Lyon was Jean Moulin. Charles de Gaulle sent him to unite the resistance forces in Lyon. There are memorials to him throughout the city. Rue de la Persévérance may not have played a direct role in the resistance. But it shares the same spirit. It embodies the perseverance that Lyon showed during that time.
As you stand here, consider the lives of those who built this street. Think about the quality they valued most. Their perseverance shaped this place. It made Rue de la Persévérance what it is today. A quiet residential street. It offers a glimpse into Lyon’s past and the enduring human spirit.