“Before it was named Rue Edison it was known as Rue de l’Arquebuse” a local merchant once told me. Imagine the stories this street could tell. I am excited to guide you through Rue Edison. This street in Lyon is more than just a path. It is a blend of history architecture and modern life.
Rue Edison starts at Rue Chaponnay near Rue de Créqui. It ends at Rue des Rancy close to Rue Vendôme. Traffic flows northward. South of Rue Paul Bert the street becomes semi-pedestrian. Walking south takes you toward the Maison Pour Tous.
Let’s observe the architecture. The street curves gently at Rue Vaudrey where Place Voltaire opens widely. The east side begins with a deserted factory. It stands alone like a tower. Next there is a small garden with tall concrete flowerpots. Then a row of old simple two to three-story houses lines the street up to Place Voltaire. Two of these houses are curiously joined at the roof creating a large hollow opening.
Now look at the west side. The buildings vary. There are two small apartment buildings a gate that reveals the backs of buildings on Rue Vendôme and a three-story concrete commercial building. Past Rue Vaudrey two pretty old stone facades connect at an angle. Then comes a one-story garage and another 19th-century building.
After Rue Paul Bert the east side features the side of a recent building. There is also a garden and a small two-story house. On the west side are two adjacent four-story 19th-century buildings.
Do you know who this street commemorates? It is Thomas Alba Edison. He was a famous inventor and physicist. He was born in Milan Ohio on February 11 1847. Edison was a prolific inventor. He had 1093 patents. Some were very important. The phonograph allowed him to found his company. His improvements to the light bulb led to the first public lighting in 1882. This also led to the creation of General Electric. He competed with the Lumière brothers for early motion pictures. Later he worked on alkaline batteries for cars.
Edison died on October 18 1931 in Glenmont. He received many honors in the United States. Henry Ford even created a museum for his inventions.
Interestingly the street was once Rue de l’Arquebuse. Shopkeepers requested a change because of the street’s bad reputation. Rue Edison is an old path from La Guillotière. It existed before urbanization in the mid-19th century. At that time the Clos de l’Arquebuse occupied the west side.
In 1967 the Maison du Justiciable was founded. There was also a performance venue at 25 bis. It was first a dance hall called Le Trianon. Then it became a rock venue named Rock’n Roll Mops. It opened on April 28 1978. It quickly closed on June 30 after about forty concerts.
Today Rue Edison is a place for work and food. There is a restaurant a pizzeria a tea room and twenty companies. The garden in the pedestrian section connects to 42 Rue Paul Bert and 220 and 222 Rue de Créqui. As we conclude our walk let’s appreciate how Rue Edison has transformed. It honors a great inventor. It reflects Lyon’s blend of past and present.