Sunrise paints the eastern sky. We stand at the entrance to Rue de l’Aube. A seemingly ordinary street in Lyon it holds a unique story.
Rue de l’Aube is a private street. A barrier guards its entrance at 15 Rue Soeur Bouvier. It winds uphill toward Boulevard des Castors. This quiet lane offers a surprisingly clear view of eastern Lyon. From its lower end Fourvière Basilica is even visible.
The street’s name a dedication proposed in 1956 by a secretary of the Castors association. Every morning residents are among the first Lyonnais to witness the dawn. Lyon’s eastward orientation toward the rising sun explains this.
Before its current form Rue de l’Aube had a different life. The land belonged to a convent of the Servants of Jesus Sovereign. This congregation dissolved in 1953. The Castors association purchased the land. They built homes and managed them communally.
The architecture of Rue de l’Aube is charming. Individual houses nestle among gardens. Hedges flowering bushes and barriers ensure privacy. Larger apartment buildings rise beyond the houses offering a contrast of architectural styles.
This small street’s history reveals much about Lyon. It speaks of religious orders the changing urban landscape and a community’s collaborative spirit. Next time you seek a peaceful escape in Lyon remember Rue de l’Aube and its unique story.