Rue Desaix

Hidden within Lyon’s Part-Dieu district lies Rue Desaix. It’s more than just a street. It’s a testament to transformation. Rue Desaix underwent a significant redesign between June 2018 and April 2019. The project widened the roadway. It created a more pedestrian-friendly environment. The revitalization included wider sidewalks and reorganized parking. Thirty new trees, including gingko biloba and Chinese pear trees, now grace the street. The addition of new businesses on the ground floor of the adjacent Sky Avenue building contributes to the street’s vibrant atmosphere. Rue Desaix also boasts an innovative rainwater management system. This system reflects Lyon’s commitment to sustainable urban development. The street is named after Louis Charles Antoine Desaix de Voygoux, a general during the French Revolution. Born in 1768, Desaix served with Bonaparte in Egypt and Italy. He died at the Battle of Marengo in 1800. Originally, a different Lyon street, now Quai Claude Bernard, honored Desaix. The present Rue Desaix emerged during the redevelopment of the former Part-Dieu barracks in the 1970s and 1980s. It offers a blend of modern architecture and green spaces. The north side features the Maison de l’Enfance (Children’s House) and the EDF building. The south side showcases the Porte Sud de la Part Dieu and the Ibis hotel. Rue Desaix is easily accessible by public transport. Bus lines 37 and 47 have stops along the route, and there’s also a Velo’v bike station nearby. Rue Desaix embodies Lyon’s dynamic urban planning. It blends historical commemoration with modern design and sustainable practices.