A curious double block of concrete. That’s how I remember Rue Bataille. It stands out among the other buildings. Rue Bataille in Lyon’s 8th arrondissement isn’t just a street. It’s a timeline etched in concrete and asphalt. It tells a story of Lyon’s growth from a rural lane to a bustling thoroughfare.
This wasn’t always a street. In fact Rue Bataille dates back to the Ancien Régime. It was a pathway. A vicinal road. Imagine it then a country lane. Winding its way between Saint Alban and Bachut.
The 19th century saw little change. It remained a quiet lane. A country road between fields. Life was slower then. Far removed from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Transformation arrived in 1913. The quiet lane became Rue Bataille. Named after Jean Marie Bataille. A local politician. A municipal councillor. Even a knight of the Legion of Honour. His bust stands in the Guillotière cemetery. A lasting tribute.
The street’s architecture mirrors this evolution. Early buildings were modest. Later developments show grander structures. Five-story buildings with balconies. Large workshops. Even a gas station.
Rue Bataille continues to evolve. A new residential complex stands tall. Nine stories of modern living. Set back in a leafy garden. It stands in contrast to the older structures. Showing the ever-changing face of the street.
Further down Rue Bataille. More modern buildings appear. A mix of housing and businesses. Datafirst. Gefran. France Telecom. All have a presence here. Each adding to the street’s vibrant energy.
There is also a school. The Édouard Herriot school. A constant in this changing area. Established in 1935 it continues to shape young lives. A plaque commemorates those who died in the Second World War and the Indochina War.
Beyond the school Rue Bataille continues. It bends and twists. Smaller houses appear. Gardens sprout. The street ends near the Herriot school. A fitting end. A story told in stone and brick.
Rue Bataille today. It’s a blend of past and present. A reflection of Lyon’s dynamic history. A testament to the human spirit. The street continues to evolve. Its future is as unwritten as its past is fascinating.