Avenue Leclerc

Hidden in plain sight along the Rhône lies Avenue Leclerc. It’s not just another street in Lyon. It holds a unique position as practically the last quai on the left bank of the Rhône. Only the pedestrian Quai du Canada and Quai Fillon, which ironically doesn’t offer a view of the river, lie beyond it. Avenue Leclerc begins where Avenue Berthelot ends. This is near the Gallieni bridge, a continuation of Quai Claude Bernard. The avenue gracefully curves away from the Rhône, culminating at Place des Docteurs Mérieux, just before the road branches off towards Pont Pasteur. If you continue past the square, you’ll find yourself on Avenue Tony Garnier. Avenue Leclerc’s connection to Tony Garnier is more than just geographical. Alexandre Leclerc, the avenue’s namesake, played a pivotal role in establishing Lyon’s grand abattoir. This later transformed into the iconic Halle Tony Garnier. Leclerc, a veterinarian who arrived in Lyon to work for the city’s butchery services, also founded the Lyon Vaccine Institute. His contributions extended to research on trichinosis and equine carcinoma. Today, his legacy lives on, not as a famed general like his namesake who has a square in the 6th arrondissement, but as a key figure in Lyon’s development. Avenue Leclerc bears witness to diverse architectural styles. The first section showcases solid five-story facades. These are adorned with decorative balconies and impressive stone doorways. Notice the lion sculpture at the corner where it intersects with Avenue Berthelot. Past Rue Rognon, a more eclectic mix of buildings unfolds, each with its unique height and style. As you stroll down the avenue, you’ll pass under the iron framework of the railway bridge leading to Perrache. It’s supported by a row of pillars. These pillars are embellished with distinctive green painted accents. Further down, a large gate marks the entrance to La Mouche train station. This station, along with the surrounding buildings, reflects the avenue’s evolution throughout the 20th century. The impressive structure between Rue Lagrange and Rue Nadaud stands as a testament to the avenue’s transformation in the 1920s. The northern buildings, with their late 19th-century charm, predate the station. The southern part, however, developed much later, with structures like number 37, built in 1970. This represents a wave of newer constructions, culminating in the hotel district at the southern end. Place Verrazane, inaugurated in 1997, replaced former industrial facilities. Avenue Leclerc even has a link to the history of anarchism. In 1882, a bomb attributed to anarchists exploded near the military recruitment center, adding a dramatic chapter to the avenue’s story.