Avenue de la Sauvegarde

Gazing down Avenue de la Sauvegarde, it’s hard to imagine the transformation this area has witnessed. Avenue de la Sauvegarde, nestled within Lyon’s 9th arrondissement, in the La Duchère district, holds a unique story. Originally part of a larger development in the 1960s, Avenue de la Sauvegarde reflects the era’s architectural trends. Many of the original buildings, constructed in the early 1960s, share similar features. These include four-story structures with half-level entrances and horizontal facades. Over the decades, renovations have modernized the area, but Avenue de la Sauvegarde retains its distinct character. The Avenue de la Sauvegarde area stands apart from the larger La Duchère district, particularly the Plateau area with its high-rise buildings, some now demolished. Avenue de la Sauvegarde offers a more intimate, residential feel, thanks to the lower buildings and surrounding greenery. The presence of varied and dense vegetation enhances this residential atmosphere. A key element in the area’s transformation is the new Avenue Rosa Parks. This avenue connects the La Duchère plateau to Écully and further to the Vaise train station via a dedicated bus lane. This improved connection facilitates access to key public and cultural amenities. It also supports the ongoing residential redevelopment of the area. This redevelopment has also involved requalifying open spaces for new uses. The construction of buildings like number 420 on Avenue de la Sauvegarde demonstrates the area’s ongoing revitalization. This building, with 100 apartments, underwent a significant renovation. The renovation aimed to align the building with the changing streetscape and the neighborhood’s functional transformation. The project focused on improving the building’s appearance, energy efficiency, and the thermal comfort of the apartments. One innovative aspect of this renovation was the demolition of twenty central apartments to create two smaller, independent units of forty apartments each. The exterior insulation, using polystyrene, mineral plaster, and alternating wood and zinc cladding, further enhances the building’s appearance and energy efficiency. The area around Avenue de la Sauvegarde continues to evolve. The Notre Dame de la Sauvegarde church, a mid-20th century structure, stands as a landmark. After suffering arson damage in 2006, the church was fully renovated and reopened in 2009. The presence of a shopping center with a variety of stores contributes to the area’s vitality.