“Who was Verlet Hanus?” I wonder if that’s what people ask themselves when they see the street sign. Welcome to Rue Verlet-Hanus. This street in Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement might seem like any other. But it holds a story of a man who lived and died for his country.
Rue Verlet-Hanus begins on Rue de Créqui. It ends on Rue Garibaldi. If you look west you’ll see a large building in the Part Dieu district. Cars move along Rue Verlet-Hanus towards Rue de Créqui.
The first section of Rue Verlet-Hanus charms with small simple buildings. They are mostly two or three stories high. They date back to around 1900. At the northern corner of Rue de Créqui, there is a small statue of the Virgin Mary. Sadly it’s caged behind a metal grille.
The street changes at the intersection with Rue Duguesclin. The buildings are taller here. They have five stories and a style from the 1950s. The building at number 16 on the north side has been rebuilt. It maintains the original dimensions.
Near Rue du Clos Suiphon, buildings constructed around the year 2000 stand. These buildings lack traditional doorsteps. Instead, they feature an extra story of apartments. The corner where Rue André Philip meets is less appealing. Concrete flanks one side including a tall block.
On the south side, you can view the apse of the Église du Saint Sacrement. Notice its octagonal tower designed to look medieval. Look up to see its enormous stone gables.
Further along, the street passes between two workshops. The southern one is simpler. It makes way for the side of a building on Rue Garibaldi. The northern workshop is larger with a sawtooth roof.
Edmond Emile Verlet Hanus was born in Toul on May 21, 1874. He is honored as a commander. Verlet Hanus lived in Lyon’s second arrondissement. He received the Legion of Honor. His name is on the war memorial at the Église Sainte Croix on Rue Condé. General Simon dedicated a book to him titled “An Officer of Africa, Commander Verlet Hanus, Saharan Mission, Moroccan Pacification 1899, 1912”.
Verlet Hanus commanded a battalion of Alpine hunters. He was wounded by a shell on August 29, 1914. This happened on a ridge in the Vosges mountains at the Col de Mandray. He died in Gérardmer from his injuries. A monument at the col also commemorates him. Before 1915, the street was named Cité de la Part Dieu.
Rue Verlet-Hanus was opened in the mid-19th century. It was built within the Cité de la Part Dieu.
Today, you’ll find boules players from the Élan de Lyon club. Habitat et Humanisme has opened a bistro here. At number 26, various city of Lyon services are located. You’ll also find a carpenter, a law firm, a courier service, Métifiot Pneus, and the École du Saint Sacrement. Rue Verlet-Hanus is more than just a street. It’s a tribute to a brave commander and a slice of Lyon’s history.