Nestled away from the main thoroughfare, Impasse des Pins awaits. It is a name that might not immediately conjure images of grandeur. Yet, this small street holds a unique story. It offers a glimpse into Lyon’s past.
The Impasse des Pins branches off Avenue Lacassagne. Look for number 65. It is directly opposite the entrance to Rue Bara. The two gates at either end give the Impasse des Pins its name. Without these gates it would simply be a passage. It would connect to Rue Montbrillant via Rue Louis Roche.
On the west side, a wall reveals the garden. It belongs to a six-story residence. The east side features a small building. It sits within a courtyard. A gate guards access to a one-story house at number 3. A second gate opens into a garden. These are the only two properties directly connected to the Impasse des Pins.
It is important not to confuse this street with Allée des Pins. That is located at the Cité Internationale. The Impasse des Pins gets its name from Avenue Lacassagne. It used to be known as Avenue des Pins.
Even the local bus depot retains the name “des Pins”. This is a nod to the area’s history. The name “des Pins” evokes more than just trees. It is also linked to Gaston de Pins. He was born in 1766 and died in 1850.
Gaston de Pins served as the Archbishop of Lyon. He stepped in for Cardinal Fesch. Fesch was detained in Rome. He was Napoleon I’s uncle. Napoleon had been dethroned. Gaston oversaw repairs to churches. These repairs were needed after the revolution. He held the title of Archbishop of Amasia.
Gaston faced the cholera epidemic in 1832. Victor Orsel’s painting in Fourvière commemorates this event. Gaston retired to Lyon. He commissioned the Saint Gebuin chapel. It is located in the Saint Irénée church. That is where he is buried.
Before residences, the area had an industrial past. In 1865, the Vulliod Ancel factory was established here. This marked the beginning of the area’s industrial phase. Today, the Impasse des Pins is a quiet reminder. It connects Lyon’s past with its present. It is more than just a street. It is a repository of local history and memories.