Do you hear that? It is the echo of history whispering along Rue Turbil. This street in Lyon is more than just a road. It is a testament to time and change.
Rue Turbil begins at Rue Antoine Charial. It faces the Square du Sacré Cœur near the church. The street heads south and gently bends at Rue Paul Bert. It ends at Avenue Félix Faure facing Place Rouget de l’Isle. Cars move south here.
Look around. The first part of Rue Turbil features buildings of five or six floors. Note the pretty curves facing Rue Charial. Number 2 has an unusual entrance. It has mirrors and small shrubs. Number 3 boasts a beautiful black iron gate. It stands next to a detached house covered in ivy. This house sits back from a small garden. Next to it is a warehouse with a building permit posted for new housing.
Notice the intersection with Rue Paul Bert. All four corners are cut off. The building at number 263 has a three-story pentagonal extension. It rests on a large column.
Observe the west side of Rue Turbil. It has a perfect line of simple four-story facades. Three incongruous balconies jut out. The east side is less uniform. Here, you will see two houses. There is also a small factory and workshops set back from the street. These remain from a previous era. Other buildings date from the late 20th or early 21st century. A complex of three buildings at number 25 is nearing completion. These are shorter ranging from two to five floors. They feature many setbacks.
Benoît Turbil played a vital role in the area. In 1860, he sold land that allowed the construction of the Sainte Anne church. This was the first church in the neighborhood. He also owned a building on Rue du Sacré Coeur. Rue Turbil owes its existence to Benoît Turbil.
Construction along Rue Turbil has occurred gradually. It started after the street opened in the early 20th century. Early houses and workshops have slowly been replaced. New buildings continue to rise.
Tragedy struck at number 24. On August 26, 1944, Edouard Dupraz was shot there. He died for France. The Société Lyonnaise d’Histoire de la Police continues to investigate this event in 2023.
Today, Rue Turbil hosts various activities. The Amitié Lyon Chine association is at number 24. Inversalis serves as a bookstore of memories. You can also take yoga classes there. The neighborhood center is on the corner of Rue Paul Bert.
Several businesses operate here. These include companies, a pizzeria, and a psychotherapist. Rue Turbil is a blend of residential, commercial, and community life.
So, as you walk along Rue Turbil, remember its layers of history. Think of Benoît Turbil’s contribution. Imagine the tragic events of 1944. Appreciate the street’s evolving architecture. Rue Turbil is a microcosm of Lyon itself a city constantly changing.