Perhaps a street can embody a life. That’s certainly the case with Rue Clair Tisseur here in Lyon. This street bears the name of a remarkable man. Clair Tisseur was more than just an architect. He was a historian a linguist and a biographer. He was also a poet a novelist a journalist a moralist and a satirist.
Born in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon in 1827 Tisseur left an indelible mark on Lyon. He died in Nyons in 1896. Many of his writings appeared under the pen name Nizier du Puitspelu.
Tisseur’s architectural contributions grace Lyon and its surroundings. He designed the city hall of the 2nd arrondissement. Église Sainte-Blandine in the 2nd arrondissement is also his creation. You can also find several houses in the rue de la République that he designed. Beyond Lyon he designed the Église Saint-Clair de Brignais. It was built between 1859 and 1862. He also designed the Église Saint-Jean de Chabeuil in 1862. And the Église Saint-Claude de Tassin built between 1866 and 1868.
His fascination with Lyon’s history and culture fueled his writings. Tisseur founded a cultural society. It was called L’Alme et Inclyte Académie du Gourguillon. It published numerous works. Writers artists and political leaders were members. Auguste Bleton Henri Béraud and Pierre Combet-Descombes were some of them.
His literary works include “Les vieilleries lyonnaises” in 1879. This translates to Lyon’s old things. “Les oisivetés du sieur Puitspelu” appeared in 1883. This translates to the idleness of Sir Puitspelu. He also wrote “Très humble traité de phonétique lyonnaise” in 1885. This translates to very humble treatise on Lyon phonetics. His “Le Littré de la Grand’Côte” is a famous dictionary. It is in the Lyonnaise dialect. It was first published in 1894. It has been in print for over 100 years.
A documentary film titled “Clair l’obscur” was created in 2000. French cinematographer Philippe Roger directed it. It explored Tisseur’s life and work.
So as you walk along Rue Clair Tisseur remember the man. He was an architect a writer and a champion of Lyon’s unique identity. His legacy lives on in the buildings he designed and the words he wrote. He was a true Lyonais.