Imagine a time when the area around you was open countryside. That’s the story of Rue Germain. It started as a path near a hamlet outside Lyon. Rue Germain begins at Rue Béranger. It runs against the railway line. A short private section starts it. The real street begins after Avenue Thiers.
Rue Germain is named for Fleuri Germain. He bought the Bellecombe estate in 1796. He died in 1814. His property covered the northern part of this street. It stretched between Rue de Bellecombe and Rue Sainte Geneviève. After 1830, his children sold the land. This sale led to the area’s development.
The architecture along Rue Germain is varied. Near Rue Béranger, office buildings with glass fronts stand tall. These were built around the year 2000. Past Avenue Thiers, a tiled path under a pergola leads to a building entrance. You will see buildings from the 1970s. There is also a lower school with a sports field. Numbers 8 and 10 have unique columns with suspended balconies.
At the corner of Rue Bellecombe, a large courtyard has an old black wooden shed. Further along, buildings from different periods and styles of the 20th century line the street. They range from one to eight stories high. Past Rue Sainte Geneviève, the street widens. Here, the wall of the civil hospices and its large black gate create a space with trees. Numbers 27 to 31 feature a white building. It sits back from the street with three entrances topped by crosses. Opposite, at number 34, a path goes around a brick house. A pleasant square offers a walkway. Another square has children’s play equipment. It reveals old workshops.
The last part of Rue Germain has simple buildings. They are three to five stories high. These date to the early 20th century. Number 49 is marked “Vermorel 1930.”
Rue Germain wasn’t always like this. In the 19th century, a hamlet called Maison Germain stood here. It was isolated in the countryside. It sat behind the Fort des Brotteaux. The street developed as the area urbanized. A map from 1880 shows the layout of the district. The part west of Rue de Bellecombe was within the fort’s grounds. It could only be built after the fort was dismantled. In 2015, a carpentry shop at number 18 was replaced by an apartment building.
Today, Rue Germain is a mix of old and new. It’s a place where history meets modern life. You can find a restaurant, a bar, a grocery store, and a beauty salon. There is also a newsstand and a wine shop. An artisan offers jewelry. A carpenter practices their craft. There is a temp agency and a photo shop. Several companies also have offices here.
As you walk along Rue Germain, remember its past. It was once a quiet country lane. It has transformed into a vibrant street. It connects different parts of Lyon. Rue Germain tells a story of growth and change. It is a testament to the city’s evolving history.