“Ever wondered how streets get their names?” Let’s uncover the tale of Rue Boissac. This street is in Lyon’s 2nd arrondissement. We’re standing at Place Bellecour. Rue Boissac stretches from here to Rue Sala.
Rue Boissac owes its name to the Boissat family. The name is a slightly altered version of their name. Pierre de Boissat was an ancestor. André Athiaud de Boissat was key to this street’s creation. He was a lieutenant général of the king. He owned land here. Around 1645, he had the street built to profit from his land. By 1680, the street was officially named Rue Boissac.
André de Boissat started building a grand residence here. He ran out of funds sadly. Pierre-Joseph Giovo bought it. Giovo was a lord and royal advisor. He expanded the building towards Rue Victor Hugo. King Louis XIV visited Lyon. Giovo lent his residence to Philippe d’Orléans. Philippe was the king’s brother. A grand party happened here with a ballet. Lulli, the composer, arranged it in 1658.
In the 18th century, Monsieur de la Frasse de Seynas owned the building. He was a lord and advisor to the court of coinage. Later, the Croppet de Varissan family acquired it. Napoleon Bonaparte, as First Consul, dined here. This was after his victory at the Battle of Marengo.
Until 1818, Rue Boissac served as the residence for the city’s prefects. The prefecture then moved to Place des Jacobins. It took over the old Dominican convent. In 1822, Lyon bought the building. It became the lodging for the lieutenant général commanding the 19th military division.
Many military governors resided here. Boniface de Castellane and François Certain de Canrobert lived here. Also, Charles Cousin-Montauban and Charles Denis Bourbaki resided here. Jean-Joseph Farre, Léopold Davout, Henri Berge, and Charles-Jules Zédé lived here too. Joseph Gallieni also called this place home.
At number 6 Rue Boissac, find the Hôtel de la famille Claret de la Tourette. Jacques Claude Claret de la Tourette lived from 1656 to 1741. He was a royal advisor. Also, he was a lieutenant-général. He decorated his hotel with mythological paintings. Daniel Sarrabat created them. His son, Jacques Annibal Claret de Fleurieu, lived from 1692 to 1776. He was president of the court of coinage. Voltaire visited him here.
Marc Antoine Louis Claret de La Tourrette was a botanist. He invited Jean-Jacques Rousseau here several times. Countess Marie-Thérèse Bottu de la Barmondière later bought the hotel. She devoted her wealth to helping the poor. In 1827, she gave the Rue Boissac hotel to a religious order. It became a boarding school for young noblewomen. Madeleine-Sophie Barat visited in 1851.
Marquise de Sévigné stayed at Madame Charrier’s home at number 8 in 1690. The post office stables were located at number 9. The building was built in 1839. The land stretched from Rue Boissac to Rue Saint-Joseph. It was across from the Saint François de Sales church.
Today, Rue Boissac is a street with a rich past. Its buildings whisper stories of royal visits and noble residents. The street has seen historical figures dine and dwell here. As you walk along Rue Boissac note its silent echoes of Lyon’s vibrant history.