Ever strolled down a street named for love and legacy? Here on Cours Richard-Vitton we find ourselves on a path with a story etched in its very paving stones. It is located in Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement.
The Cours Richard-Vitton wasn’t always called that. Originally it was simply known as “chemin vicinal ordinaire no 154”. This translates to ordinary local road number 154.
But how did it get its grander name? The story begins with Louise Françoise Richard-Vitton. She gifted this path to the city of Lyon. The city gratefully accepted it. Louise was no ordinary woman. She was the daughter of Henri Vitton. He was once the mayor of La Guillotière. Her mother Antoinette Bonand inherited the title of the seigneurs de Montchat.
Louise was also the widow of Jean-Louis Richard-Vitton. He was the founder of the Montchat neighborhood and a former mayor of Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement. In his honor the city named the street Cours Richard-Vitton. This ensured that his contributions would not be forgotten.
You might notice another street nearby called Rue Louise. It is also in the Montchat neighborhood. This is named to honor Louise Françoise. It ensures that her generosity is also remembered. The Cours Richard-Vitton runs almost parallel to the Route de Genas. Both are one-way streets. Cours Richard-Vitton allows traffic to flow from Lyon towards Genas.
At the intersection of Cours Richard-Vitton, you’ll find Place Ronde. Here meet the streets Julien de l’Église and Sainte-Marie. Also meeting here is the avenue du Général-Leclerc. It comes from Place Jules-Grandclément in Villeurbanne.
Today the C9 bus line serves the Cours Richard-Vitton. Imagine Louise and Jean-Louis Richard-Vitton. They would be amazed to see how their gift has become a vital part of the city.
So as you walk along this Cours Richard-Vitton remember its history. Think of the love and legacy that shaped it. It is more than just a street. It is a testament to a family’s contribution to Lyon. It is a path connecting the past to the present.