A forgotten windmill once stood here. That’s the secret of Rue du Moulin à Vent. This unassuming street in Lyon holds a key to centuries past. It marks the ancient border between Lyon and Venissieux. A boundary etched not just on maps but in the very stones beneath our feet.
Rue du Moulin à Vent’s story begins long ago. In 1479 King Louis XI sent geographer Louis Tindo. He officially marked the boundary between Lyonnais and Dauphiné. That famous windmill served as his landmark. The border remains to this day. It separates Lyon and Venissieux. The street’s name itself is a whisper from the windmills past.
Imagine this It is 1778. The first mailbox is installed here. This unified postal service connected Feyzin to Lyon. Before that a simple path existed. This marked the old boundary. It led from the Route de Vienne to the Route de Venissieux. The area was quite rural. The windmill was not just a landmark but a hub of activity.
The Rue du Moulin à Vent today is a blend of old and new. Individual houses line the street. Some bear the marks of time. Others are newer buildings. There’s even a shop and restaurant in a former double workshop. Its striking red facade catches the eye. The street curves gently. It shares part of its route with Rue Barbusse. Then a large parking lot separates them. In 2018 a transformation took place. This area became a promenade alongside newly built tram lines.
Near the end of the Rue du Moulin à Vent stands a solitary house. A small building marks the corner with Avenue Francis de Pressensé. A bar’s terrace sits just in front. In Venissieux individual houses and small buildings stand. They precede the large supermarket parking lot.
So next time you stroll along Rue du Moulin à Vent. Remember its rich history. Remember the windmill that gave it its name. Remember the border. Remember the first mailbox. The street is more than just a thoroughfare. It is a living link to Lyon’s enduring past.