Before the Quai Carrié existed the Château du Fresne stood proudly overlooking the Saône River. Avenue du Frêne in Lyon echoes that history. This charming avenue is more of a lane than a grand avenue. It’s a quiet residential street nestled into the hillside.
The avenue begins high on the Grande rue de Saint Rambert near the railway bridge. It gently slopes northward meeting Rue Claude Faye. From the eastern side you can see the Balme de Caluire across the Saône. Individual houses with gardens line the avenue. A small one-story building stands out. Each of its three entrances leads to a carport and then up a staircase to a private garden.
Lower down the houses are larger and older. A sharp curve with an inner embankment connects the avenue to Rue Claude Faye. Number 11 holds a short impasse leading to a recent development of six large square houses. The avenue is mostly ungraded. There are no sidewalks. Small golden stones mark the edges of the road in places.
The name “Avenue du Frêne” meaning Ash Avenue is a nod to the château. The avenue’s name preserves the memory of this lost landmark. It was sold in 1925. The area’s history extends back further. In 1556 King Francis I commissioned François de Chaluet lord of the Frêne and treasurer general of Lyon’s finances to investigate the rights of the Franc Lyonnais across the Saône. There was another rue du Frêne. It connected the Saône to Rue Pierre Termier. It formed the border between Saint Rambert and Collonges au Mont d’Or.
The avenue itself likely dates back to around 1929. That’s when the city council discussed incorporating the Frêne development into the road network. Today Avenue du Frêne remains a peaceful reminder of Lyon’s rich past. A hidden gem offering a glimpse into the city’s layered history. A place where quiet charm meets a long and fascinating story.