A mandement seigneurial. That’s how Rue Bèchevelin got its name. Today we’re standing on Rue Bèchevelin. This street has a rich story. It connects Place Gabriel-Péri to Place Jules-Guesde in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement.
Let’s step back in time. The path of Rue Bèchevelin once belonged to a seigniorial estate. This estate covered all of Guillotière. Its castle stood at the corner of Rue de Marseille and Rue de l’Université. Rue Bèchevelin is one of the oldest roads in this area. Records show it existed as far back as 1710.
In 1736 the road appeared on a map. But it was a winding path then. It only stretched from Place Gabriel-Péri to Rue Reinach. By 1823 a description noted its route. It ran from the Combalot house to the Chemin de la Mouche or de la Croix-Jordan.
Interestingly the Napoleonic cadastre made a mistake. It incorrectly called the Chemin de Bèchevelin the Chemin de Fourment or Fourmont. A smaller path extended it south along the Rhône’s old bank. This was known as the Chemin Petit de Bèchevelin. It was also called Chemin de la Roche or Ruelle de la Vitriolerie.
Big changes happened in the 1840s. The street was straightened east of the Saint-André church. This new section was briefly named Rue Neuve-Saint-Jean. The old path became Rue Saint-André. To the south the street needed extending. This meant getting rid of the Chemin Petit de Bèchevelin.
The southern part was quickly built. This included opening the Clos Paradis in 1860-1861. However Rue Bèchevelin wasn’t fully complete until 1890. The Ruelle de la Vitriolerie interrupted it between Rue Reinach and Rue Chevreul.
Locals pushed the city to finish Rue Bèchevelin. They sent petitions in 1876 and 1879. Finally the city declared it a public necessity and completed it in 1890.
Rue Bèchevelin has an interesting layout. The northern part runs northwest to southeast. This shows its original winding route. The main section runs north-south parallel to the Rhône.
You will notice various architectural styles. The northern part of Rue Bèchevelin lacks unity. It features a 1929 factory for pharmaceutical products. There is also a 19th-century stone building and a rounded concrete building from the 2000s. The southern side has a row of simple 19th-century buildings. A small house is attached to a small factory.
As you walk down Rue Bèchevelin you’ll see different buildings. There are angular modern buildings small houses and stone buildings. You will also see workshops and garages. You’ll pass behind the Église Saint André. Note its stone details and two towers.
After Rue Reinach you’ll see the side of the Citroën workshop. You will also see the Clemenceau school and its gym. Look for the door at number 97. It has a funny face signed E Comte 1896. The street becomes more uniform after Rue Salvat. Number 82 has surprising decorations with columns and bricks.
Today Rue Bèchevelin is home to various businesses. You can find Sandrelle a contemporary art gallery here. Also located here is the Maison de quartier Guillotière. It has a library at number 25. Rue Bèchevelin is a street that has evolved over centuries. Its story reflects Lyon’s changing urban landscape.