A Lyon street named after a famous woman. That’s Rue Rosa Bonheur. This unassuming street in Lyon’s 8th arrondissement holds a fascinating story. It’s a relatively new street opened sometime after 2013. The street’s creation was part of the Mermoz Nord neighborhood renovation. The name Rue Rosa Bonheur itself is a tribute. It honors Rosa Bonheur a renowned French painter and sculptor. She was born in Bordeaux on March 16 1822 and died in Thomery on May 25 1899. Rosa Bonheur specialized in animal paintings. Her work brought her incredible fame both in France and America. She was the first female artist to receive the Legion of Honour. Think about that for a moment. A woman achieving such recognition in 19th-century France was remarkable.
Her most famous painting Le Marché aux chevaux The Horse Fair is a masterpiece. It’s huge measuring 244 by 5 meters. It caused a sensation at the 1853 Salon. This painting was so successful that the jury exempted Rosa Bonheur’s future works from further review. It’s a testament to her talent. It’s now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Another important piece Labourage nivernais was initially destined for Lyon’s Museum of Fine Arts. However its beauty was deemed too great for Lyon. The painting was transferred to Paris and eventually ended up at the Musée d’Orsay.
Rue Rosa Bonheur connects Rue Caroline-Aigle to Rue Berthe-Morisot. It’s a short street. It runs alongside a residential building. Three staircases leading to the building resemble pillars. The building faces Place Valadon. To the north of the street there’s a small unused triangular space. It was once a green area for the residences. A few trees and two tennis tables remain. Today Rue Rosa Bonheur might seem quiet. It’s a small residential street. But it carries a big story. It’s a reminder of Rosa Bonheur’s legacy. A legacy of artistic achievement and overcoming societal barriers. A legacy that echoes even on this small Lyon street. It’s a legacy we can all appreciate as we walk down Rue Rosa Bonheur. Isn’t that a wonderful story?