High above Lyon the Rue de Boyer snakes its way. It starts at Avenue de Menival climbing to the Rue des Aqueducs. This charming street forms a boundary between Lyon and Tassin. From here you can see stunning views westwards to the Monts du Lyonnais.
Rue de Boyer is more than just a road. It’s a living testament to Lyon’s rich history. It’s named after the Boyer family. Pierre and Guillaume Boyer were early bourgeois. They were among the first to represent Lyonnais interests in council around 1270. The street’s winding path is a clue to its age. It existed even before the French Revolution. In 1831 it only served two houses. The Rue de Boyer we see today took shape in the 1970s. That’s when the Menival residence was built. These high-rise buildings are spread among trees. The area also holds the memory of Eugénie Boyer. She was a renowned flower painter born in Lyon in 1887. She died there in 1972.
Further along Rue de Boyer you pass the residence Le Chêne Vert. It’s a seven-story complex. There’s a small square with children’s games. Then comes a single house with a large vegetable garden. Beyond it another high-rise is visible. One more house and then Rue de Boyer bends. The name is now very apt. The street is near a magnificent aqueduct. This aqueduct is an impressive feat of engineering. Its history is intertwined with the history of the area.
The street has other notable connections. André Boyer a member of the Resistance is remembered. His name is among those listed on the memorial wall at the police station on Rue Villeroy. This is a tribute to the 26 people who died for France from 1940 to 1944. Myriam Boyer a famous actress was born in Lyon in 1948. She even filmed a movie here. Another notable Boyer is Serge. A sculptor who died in 2016. He and his wife Fabienne designed the Place de la Compas Raison.
The Rue de Boyer is more than just a picturesque climb. It’s a historical tapestry. It’s woven with the lives and stories of remarkable people. The street’s story is still unfolding. Each turn holds new memories. Each house whispers of its past. It is a place where history and present-day life coexist. This makes the Rue de Boyer a special place in the heart of Lyon. A place worth exploring.