Perhaps you have not heard of Marc Boegner. Rue Marc Boegner is named for a remarkable man. Let’s delve into the story behind this street. It is more than just a name. It is a tribute to a life of service and courage.
Rue Marc Boegner begins on Rue Gabriel Chevallier. It extends from Rue Fabrègue. The street heads north. It opens into a plaza in Saint Rambert’s pedestrian center. An alley leads west. It goes toward the main part of the shopping center. Another alley slopes along the school. It enters Saint Rambert Park.
The street starts narrow. It is between two old houses. These houses show their flanks. A balcony sits at number 1. Notice the letterbox slot between two stones. Observe the covered gate.
Rue Marc Boegner passes between two modern residences. These are set back in green gardens. The residence at number 2 is called Les Hauts de Saint Rambert. Walkways lead to Rue Chevallier.
There is a magnificent house at number 3. It is called Les Marronniers. It has two stories. Two large sections with green shutters are linked by a small round turret. The turret rests on a narrow base. A colorful tower with a beautiful curve is surrounded by a staircase. A cross protects its gate. Next to it is a small house. It is followed by a villa and a town house in a small enclosure.
Four stone bollards mark the entrance to the new Saint Rambert. The road continues between two lawns. These are shaded by tall trees. The road is partly paved, partly pink asphalt. It widens into a large square.
It is dominated by six-story buildings to the west. They are separated by an alley with flowerbeds. The second buildings make it curve. Their base is occupied by shops. On the east side, it overlooks Place Schonberg. You can see the triangular roofs at the first-floor level. Stairs lead down to separate it from the École des Grillons. This school has low installations. It is decorated with a concrete plaque dated 1986. The plaque is signed Oballon. Rue Marc Boegner ends in a small square. Three benches face a tree.
Marc Boegner was born in Épinal on February 21, 1881. He died in Paris on December 18, 1970. He was a pastor. He was a major figure in Protestantism. He came to Lyon for the congress of the Reformed Church of France. He became its president. He had been president of the Protestant Federation of France.
During the war, he helped the resistance. He made many statements in favor of Jews. Some of these were with Cardinal Gerlier. He helped create Amitié Chrétienne and Cimade. After his doctorate in theology, he authored several religious works. He was a member of the French Academy. He was declared Righteous Among the Nations. He was a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor.
Philippe Boegner and Roger Mehl each dedicated a book to him. The Musée Protestant website has a well-illustrated page about him. His son Philippe was a journalist. He was the director of Marie Claire and Paris Match. During the occupation, he maintained the publication of Paris Soir from Lyon. His granddaughter Michèle was born in Lyon in 1941. She was a renowned pianist.
This area is an old part of the village of Saint Rambert. It was separated from Rue Fabrègue. Most of the buildings were replaced in the 1980s. This was during the development of the pedestrian area.
In 2013, for the fiftieth anniversary of Saint Rambert’s integration into Lyon, a beautiful pink wind rose hourglass was placed in the flowerbed of the pedestrian section. On this occasion, Le Progrès mentioned it on Place Rouge.
Shops are grouped in the pedestrian section. These include a hairdresser, a florist, a pharmacy, an optician and a decoration shop.
Rue Marc Boegner stands as a testament. It reminds us of a man who stood for unity, justice and compassion. Take a moment to reflect on his legacy as you walk this street.