Haven’t you ever wondered about the story behind this unassuming street? Here on Rue Volney in Lyon, we find ourselves on a path with a surprisingly rich, albeit subtle, history. The Rue Volney begins at avenue Rockefeller. It stretches southward until it meets rue Victor de Laprade. A short alley connects it to allée Lafont.
Cars now travel only south on Rue Volney. Look around. Notice how the west side of Rue Volney is slightly lower than the street. This is due to a natural slope. This feature gives some buildings a uniquely dominant position.
The east side of Rue Volney starts with the long, new hospital building. Its floors form three graceful curves. To the south stands a grand house. The university grounds include a low-rise restaurant. The raw concrete structure of the library is also present. The main part of the library is set below a small grassy knoll.
After crossing rue Longefer, the Rue Volney passes between two massive apartment buildings. These buildings stand about ten stories tall. A new building faces rue Remillieux. Steps descend towards the Porte de Saint-Alban. From there you can see the church tower. The street runs along the wall. A gate reveals a parking area, a small building, and a tower. On the north side, a new two-story building stands. Beyond it are three large individual houses.
Boulevard Paré creates a wide break in the street. Beyond the boulevard, Rue Volney becomes narrower. There is a garden and a square house to the north. A six-story building stands at the foot of the street. It curves towards rue Laprade.
But who was Volney? Constantin François Chasseboeuf de la Giraudais was Count Volney. He was born in 1757 and died in 1820. Volney was famous for his travel writings. He is considered an early pioneer of ethnology, anthropology, and sociology. He published studies on Arabic, Persian, and Turkish languages. Volney was also a politician. He participated in the French Revolution. He was involved in Bonaparte’s rise to power. He later became a senator and an academician. Volney did not seem to have strong ties to Lyon.
Rue Volney itself has a history. It was gradually opened during the 20th century. Initially, it only reached rue Charles Jung. The street was extended further in the 1930s. The street’s current appearance mostly dates back to recent decades. The hospital was completed around 2008. It replaced two large properties. These properties also faced avenue Rockefeller. These properties became closed off. By the year 2000, the houses had taken on the look of haunted mansions.
Today, Rue Volney is home to several important places. These include an entrance to the Natecia hospital. The Clap staff house is here. So is the Resto U Rockefeller and the Paul Zech media library. The media library is part of the university.
Now, as we stand here on Rue Volney, we see how a street can embody layers of history. It is a story of urban development and of the man it commemorates. Though seemingly ordinary, Rue Volney is a testament to Lyon’s evolving landscape. It also reminds us of a scholar who explored the world with an insatiable curiosity.