“A slope lined with old houses” It is a fitting description for the Rue Armand Calliat. Today we will explore its history and its namesake. This street leads to the heart of the Saint-Georges neighborhood. It is a captivating climb through Lyon’s past.
Rue Armand Calliat has existed since the Middle Ages. Imagine people traversing this path centuries ago. The street offers fantastic views of the city.
The Rue Armand Calliat begins as an extension of the lower part of the Montée des Épies. It then makes a bend toward the north. Finally, it opens into the Gourguillon. This route is reserved for pedestrians. A modern iron staircase descends to Place Valensio. It was built in 2002.
The first part of the Rue Armand Calliat climbs between old houses. If you look up you will see trees. They grow in a garden above a large wall of golden stones. After the bend the street continues to climb. It winds narrowly between old houses. The walls flare at the bottom adding character. Look for the beautiful door at number 1. Admire the fine frame at number 5.
From number 7 onward the wall of the Clos du Verbe Incarné dominates the view. A grid separates us from the vegetation. It slopes down toward Place Valensio.
The Rue Armand Calliat is named for Thomas Joseph Armand. He was born in 1822 and died in Lyon in 1901. In 1853 he married Jeanne Calliat. She was a goldsmith from the Maison Calliat Soeurs. Armand embraced her profession. He also took her name. You might see his name spelled “Caillat.”
Armand Calliat was a goldsmith. He specialized in religious art. He was the most famous of his time. His workshop was above this street. It opened onto the Gourguillon at number 18. It was in the old monastery of the Verbe Incarné. His son Marie Joseph Armand Calliat continued his work. He was born in 1862 and died in 1939.
You can admire Calliat’s works at the Musée de Fourvière. Several others are kept at Saint François de Sales. In 1899 he created a crown for the head of the Virgin of Fourvière. It held 1791 stones. Sadly it was stolen later.
Calliat also created rewards for the Countess Mathilde de Buffières Rambuteau’s legacy. These were awarded from 1912 until the war. The awards included a golden lily of the valley. This was for the best poet. There was a golden honeysuckle for eloquence. A silver violet was for history and archeology. A silver carnation was for fine arts. Finally a silver primrose was for moral literature.
In the 18th century this was the Ruelle Foireuse. An old plaque mentions Rue Bourdi. Ancient plans show Bourdy. This was replaced by Calliat. It was first Rue Breneuse. Then it became Dorée with variants Bourdille and Bourdis.
The Rue Armand Calliat is very old. It existed in the Middle Ages. In the 13th century the recluse of the Madeleine stood at the top. It was on the corner of the Gourguillon. It marked the edge of Lyon. The monastery of the Verbe Incarné was established in 1655. It was on the corner of the Gourguillon.
The Rue Armand Calliat retains an old feel. This is tempered a bit by the iron staircase built in 2002. Art and associations are absent from the Rue Armand Calliat.
So as we stand on the Rue Armand Calliat remember Thomas Joseph Armand Calliat. He was a master goldsmith. He left his mark on Lyon’s religious art and this street. His legacy is etched in the stones and history that surrounds us.