What whispers of history echo along the Avenue du Château de Gerland? This avenue in Lyon holds more stories than one might imagine. It is named after the Château de Gerland. The château’s history deeply intertwines with the area’s evolution.
Let’s step back in time. Until the early 20th century, Gerland was synonymous with the Château de Gerland’s territory. Its location corresponds to number 186 on the current Rue de Gerland. The area included La Mouche and other distinct places.
The first known owner of the Château de Gerland was Gaspard de Mornieu. He was a squire in the late 16th century. His domain stretched across 133 hectares. Imagine the scale of this estate.
The name “Gerland” itself has intriguing origins. Some suggest it means “land of water”. The prefix “ger” could be linked to “Wasser”. Wasser means water in German. Others link it to the Celtic root “gerl” which is also water-related. The “land” suffix translates to “earth” in German.
The 19th century brought changes. The Château de Gerland estate was bequeathed to the Rodet-Chappet families. They divided the land. This division allowed for the district’s development.
Industry began to take hold. A vitriol factory was established. It was located at a place called les Rivières. It was near the Rhône’s natural riverbed. Later a royal decree planned a fort’s construction. It was to be on the suppressed Vitriolerie land. The Vitriolerie fort was completed around 1846.
In 1840, the Vitriolerie dike gave the river a straight course. It ran from the center of la Guillotière to the vitriolerie. The old Rhône riverbed remained filled with water. In 1852, the town of La Guillotière was merged with Lyon. Gerland was part of La Guillotière.
Gerland’s location attracted investors. They were drawn by vast vacant land near Lyon. The area’s location between the Rhône and the PLM railway line was ideal for industry. Land costs were low because floods regularly hit the area.
Urbanization occurred in stages in the 20th century. Jean Jaurès Avenue was created in 1908. Architect Tony Garnier built the Mouche slaughterhouses. The construction happened between 1909 and 1914. Only the large hall remains today. It is now the Halle Tony-Garnier.
In 1919, the Ministry of War bought the Château de Gerland. Édouard Herriot transformed it. It became a reception center for single mothers.
In 1920, Tony Garnier also designed the Stade de Gerland. It was the home stadium for Olympique Lyonnais and later Lyon OU Rugby.
The progressive embankment freed up vast lands. These lands were once marshes and streams. They gradually gave way to industrial activities.
From 1935 to 1938, the first phase of the Édouard-Herriot port was built. It covered 140 hectares. By 1938, the last chemical factories left the district.
Today, the Avenue du Château de Gerland reflects this rich past. It’s a blend of historical echoes and modern development. As you walk along, remember the château. Envision the changing landscape from a rural estate to an industrial hub. It then transformed into a modern urban district. The avenue stands as a testament to Gerland’s dynamic history.