Peeking into the past, let’s journey to Rue Lanterne, one of Lyon’s oldest streets dating back to the Middle Ages. This historic street resides in Lyon’s 1st arrondissement. Rue Lanterne begins after Rue d’Algérie and concludes at a façade on Rue Longue.
The story of Rue Lanterne is rich and intriguing. Its name first appeared in the 16th century. However, only the central part of the street bore this name then. Originally, a door closed off the street to the north. This door was opened in the mid 19th century. Public executions occurred here in 1790. Unlike other neighborhood avenues, Prefect Claude-Marius Vaïsse did not restructure Rue Lanterne. Legend says a bas-relief at a house corner showed a lion with a lantern.
In 1507, a decision was made regarding the pavement. A shop sign lent its name to Rue de l’Enfant-qui-pisse. This section between Place de la Platière and Rue Longue became part of Rue Lanterne in 1846. During feasts, a statue of a child appeared to urinate wine. Fires damaged the street’s butchery in 1612 and 1734.
Notable establishments graced Rue Lanterne. These included the inn of the Grand Chevalier and the Hôtel de l’Écu de France in the 18th century. The night club Au Fort de Brissac was popular in the 19th century. A tombstone was unearthed in 1867. In 1846, the street expanded southward by incorporating Rue de l’Enfant-qui-pisse. During Louis Philippe’s reign, it extended north by absorbing part of Rue de la Boucherie des Terreaux. Houses along the street bore names like L’Urne aux Roses and À la Toison d’Or.
Rue Lanterne was home to goldsmiths, painters, and surgeons. Alphonse Daudet also lived here for a time. Architecturally, a bust of a Roman emperor once adorned No. 11. A medallion with a lamb hanging from a chain marked No. 24.
The street commences with grand 19th-century buildings. Then you see the great door of the Hall of the Terreaux. Its traboule opens only for significant events. Beyond Rue Constantine, houses from various eras showcase carved doors.
Old shop signs of inns and apothecaries once lined the street. Today, restaurants dominate. However, the Hot Club de Lyon at No. 26 stands out. Since 1981, it has been France’s first gallery dedicated to jazz. Major monuments include the four-star Grand Hôtel des Terreaux. It features beautiful stained glass. The neogothic temple at No. 10, built between 1855 and 1857, is now used by the Cultural Association of the Reformed Church of Lyon Terreaux.
The straight traboule at No. 4 is blocked. It consists of conventional 19th-century bourgeois building elements. The curved traboule at No. 29 is also blocked. It begins with a high stone ground-floor, a wide door, and a traditional hammer. It crosses three buildings and ends at No. 20 rue Paul Chenavard.
At No. 8, Romanticism influences the architecture. This is evident in diverse decorative programs and varied sources of inspiration.
Walking through Rue Lanterne today, one can imagine the echoes of its past. From public executions to artistic havens, this street has witnessed Lyon’s evolution. Its blend of architectural styles and intriguing history makes it a unique destination.