Avenue Debourg

Opened before World War II, Avenue Debourg whispers tales of Lyon’s past. Avenue Debourg in the 1930s was a key route. It offered a paved escape from the muddy tracks that dominated the area. These tracks often led to simple shacks rather than proper homes. The avenue’s current grandeur, however, is a product of the late 20th century. Notice the grassy patches after Rue Mérieux. These sunken areas reveal the original ground level, a meter lower than today, a reminder of the Rhône’s floodplain. Avenue Debourg begins at Place Antonin Perrin, now Place des Docteurs Mérieux. It stretches eastward to Avenue Jean Jaurès. A small section branches off, separating from Rue Fryd and ending at Rue de Gerland. Number 48 hides a secret. A concealed passage leads to the playful Jardin Debourg, complete with a children’s playground. From here, you can emerge onto Rue de Saint Cloud or Rue Mérieux. You could continue along Rue Monod, towards another hidden garden and Allée d’Italie. The Debourg metro station, located on Avenue Jean Jaurès, boasts a unique artistic touch. Photos adorn its multi-level design. Images of earth grace the lower levels, while celestial scenes decorate the upper reaches. Lush vegetation bridges the gap between earth and sky. The avenue itself is broad and majestic. Two lanes of traffic flow in each direction, separated by a central strip. Rows of plane trees shade parking spaces, and wide sidewalks offer ample space for cyclists. Past Rue Gouy, the avenue assumes a more typical form, with one lane in each direction. The early 21st-century architecture near Place des Docteurs Mérieux contrasts sharply with older structures. A stark white, angular building stands guarded behind a gate, followed by a second gate and another building set further back. The southern building is particularly striking, with its oblique lines, square openings, and frosted glass panels. Beyond Rue de Saint Cloud and Rue du Rhône, Avenue Debourg passes the fire station. It then navigates a series of late 20th-century buildings with intricate facades. A plaque at number 48 commemorates the laying of the foundation stone by Francisque Collomb in 1983. The intersection with Rue Mérieux features four meticulously crafted corners. The area after Rue Mérieux feels more open, with some vacant lots. Others are occupied by a parking lot and a warehouse. These sit across from large concrete hangars, and the curved walls of the ENS. The avenue bends after Avenue Jean Jaurès, at the foot of a towering white and gray skyscraper. It diverges from Rue Fryd near Rue Gouy. Look closely. You’ll spot an unusual structure seemingly perched atop the tower. The final stretch of Avenue Debourg offers a different perspective. Three large towers stand to the south. Each is set within its own garden. While similar in design, the last tower rests on an external concrete pillar. To the north, newer buildings share the space with an older house and a more substantial structure past Rue de l’Effort. The name Debourg itself hails from the 19th century. The district bore this name, borrowed from an estate nestled between La Mouche and Gerland. A house at 14 Rue Lainerie, built in 1516 for Claude Debourg, a consul and alderman of Lyon, hints at this history.