418 meters long that’s the Quai des Étroits in Lyon. This last quay on the right bank of the Saône River has a story to tell. It begins where the Montée des Choulans meets the Kitchener Bridge. From there it stretches south. The quai ends at a small staircase separating Lyon and La Mulatière. Imagine the bustling traffic. The A6 autoroute’s twin bridges loom large. So does the Quarantaine railway viaduct carrying the Paris-Marseille line. These structures are truly impressive. They add to the already significant traffic flow. The Lyon-Perrache station adds to the congestion. The name itself ‘Étroits’ meaning ‘narrow straits’ hints at the history. The Mulatière hill’s propensity to collapse reduced the width of the road. The Narbonne road avoided the narrow path. Instead it climbed the hill. A hamlet called Les Étroits sits further down the river. Perhaps the name meant “the road leading to the Étroits”. In 1816 General Mouton-Duvernet was executed here. He was considered a traitor to King Louis XVIII. The number 7 on the quai stands out. This elegant building dates back to 1895-1896. It boasts a beautiful window above the entrance and intricate sculptures. Other buildings along the Quai des Étroits are newer. Number 4 is an office building. Number 11 a modern angular structure finished in 2016. The quai’s northern section features a low port. Barges are moored along the pier. A gap between buildings offers a view of the cliff. This glimpse of nature is a poignant reminder of the area’s history. It is a place where history and modern life intertwine. This is the Quai des Étroits. A unique blend of past and present. A place to explore and appreciate.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to