A Lyon street named for a man who ceded land. That’s Rue Arsène Claudy. Have you ever wondered about the story behind this short street? It’s a tale of urban development and a man who gave back to his community.
Rue Arsène Claudy, in Lyon’s 9th arrondissement, wasn’t always where it is now. The original street connected Quai Sédallian to Rue Joannès Carret. Now the new Rue Arsène Claudy stretches from Quai Sédallian to Rue Mangini.
This street is quite short. It’s wedged between two walls. The north wall hides a demolition site. The south wall conceals a garden. Beyond the garden are Siam Ringspann workshops that open onto Rue Carret.
But who was Arsène Claudy? He donated his land to the city. This allowed the street to be built. In November 1923, Arsène Claudy became deputy mayor of Saint Rambert.
The street first appeared on a map in 1880 as a new street. During the 20th century, it existed between two industrial sites. These were Pétronaphte and Chimique de la route.
In 2013, Rue Arsène Claudy was hidden behind construction barriers. It was then demolished. In 2015, the city decided to open a new street nearby. By 2018, the new road was in place. Construction continued to the north. Work was planned to the south. The north side construction finished in 2022. Buildings began to rise on the south side.
Today, APSC is located at 4 Rue Arsène Claudy. APSC is a property management company created in January 2023. It handles property acquisition, management, restoration, and construction. It also handles rentals.
So, Rue Arsène Claudy is more than just a street. It’s a story of urban change and a man’s contribution to Lyon. It links the past to the present. The next time you pass by, remember Arsène Claudy. Remember his gift to the city.