Cobblestones glisten, framing a short street. This is Rue Joannès-Drevet. It’s a small passage in Lyon’s Ainay district.
Rue Joannès-Drevet is more than just a street. It’s a tribute to a Lyonnais artist. Jean-Baptiste Drevet was known as Joannès Drevet. He lived from 1854 to 1940. He had his studio right here. It was at number 4.
Imagine Joannès Drevet at work. He captured Lyon’s essence in paintings. He also made etchings and watercolors. His son Joanny Drevet carried on the tradition. He took over his father’s studio.
Before 1942, this street had different names. In 1533, it was called Rue tendant du puits Saint-Michel en Saône. Other names followed. These include Chemin tirant du puits commun au port de Saône and Rue tendant de la rivière de Saône au puits commun du lieu de Saint-Michel. It was also known as Rue Colombe and Rue Sainte-Colombe. For a short time in 1940, it was Rue Louise-de-Bettignies.
The city council renamed it Rue Joannès-Drevet on April 12 1942. This honored the artist who loved Lyon. Joannès Drevet illustrated many books about Lyon. These include “Aux environs de Lyon” and “Lyon pittoresque” by Auguste Bleton. He also worked on “Le Lyon de nos pères” and “Vieilles pierres lyonnaises” by Emmanuel Vingtrinier. Léon Galle even used some of Drevet’s engravings in his book “Une promenade à travers le vieux Lyon.”
Rue Joannès-Drevet connects Quai Tilsitt to Rue Guynemer. It is very short. It only has two street numbers. Traffic flows against the numbering. Parking is allowed on one side only.
Look at the buildings around you. On the north side, buildings of four and five stories meet at an interior angle. The south side has three different facades. The most impressive one faces the quai. Another facade on Rue Guynemer dates back to Drevet’s death. It features a prominent column.
Joannès Drevet was born on Quai Tilsitt. He captured Lyon in his art. He depicted the city as it was. He also showed Lyon as it used to be. His books included “Eaux fortes lyonnaises,” “Lyon disparu,” and “Lyon qui s’en va.”
The Drevet family had a legacy of artists. Pierre Drevet was a famous engraver. His sons also excelled in the craft. The tradition continued through generations.
Note the traboule at number 4. A traboule is a passageway. This one adds to the street’s charm.
Today, Rue Joannès-Drevet has no shops. The north side houses classrooms for the Condé schools. The south side has garages and apartments. Despite the lack of commerce, the street retains its artistic spirit. A painter has taken over Joannès Drevet’s legacy. He has a studio near Rue Guynemer.
So, as you stand here on Rue Joannès-Drevet remember the artist. Remember Joannès Drevet who captured Lyon’s soul. His legacy lives on in this small street. It is a lasting tribute to his art.