Picture the Cours Albert Thomas a grand avenue in Lyon. It stretches between the 3rd and 8th arrondissements. This tree-lined boulevard is more than just a pretty face. It’s a vital artery. It connects the city east to west. Not only above ground but below too. Lyon’s Metro line D runs its entire length hidden beneath our feet.
Cours Albert Thomas wasn’t always called that. Did you know it once carried the weight of history as part of the Route Nationale 6? The road that once ran through the heart of Lyon. This now flows through the Cours Gambetta. It continues along Cours Albert Thomas and even beyond. It finishes at Place d’Arsonval. This road’s story shows how Lyon evolved.
Before its current name the Cours Albert Thomas held another title. The Cours des Brosses. This existed before its extension. This happened between 1840 and 1870. It ended at the railway line. The name changed in 1876. It received the name Cours Gambetta. That’s the name that it retained for many years. Only later did it extend to Place d’Arsonval. This involved the Monplaisir development. Its road network was laid out back in 1828.
The current name arrived much later. A municipal decision in 1933. The avenue was renamed after Albert Thomas. He was a significant political figure. He organized wartime armament production. He also played a key role in the organization of wartime labor. He became the first director of the International Labour Office in Geneva.
Cours Albert Thomas is home to remarkable buildings. The Manufacture des tabacs at number 2 is now part of Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University. Nearby at the corner of Place Ambroise-Courtois stands the Institut Lumière with its beautiful park. And look further down. At number 148 stands a striking fifteen-story tower. This is the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The CIRC.
So as you stroll down Cours Albert Thomas. Remember the layers of history beneath your feet. The bustling avenue holds stories of progress. Of war and peace. Of innovation and education. It’s a testament to Lyon’s rich past. It also showcases the city’s vibrant present. It’s a walk through time. A walk worth taking.