“A quiet alleyway. It’s more than just a path.” This is Allée Jeanne Barret in Lyon. A tribute to an extraordinary woman. A woman who defied expectations. She was the first woman to circumnavigate the globe.
Jeanne Barret was born far from Lyon in 1740. She journeyed to Lyon with her companion Philibert Commerson. He was a renowned botanist. She assisted him. They worked together at the Lyon botanical garden.
Their collaboration was fruitful. They brought back exotic plants. Among them were a fern and a yellow-flowered spotted violet. These treasures now reside in Lyon’s botanical garden. Their botanical discoveries also included the petunia described by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. Bougainvillea and hydrangea were also part of their incredible collection. The Garance Voyageuse recounts this amazing journey.
Barret’s remarkable journey wasn’t easy. Women were not permitted on ships’ crews. She disguised herself as a man. She sailed with Bougainville from 1767 to 1769. Her bravery paved the way.
After this incredible voyage she went to Mauritius with the help of Pierre Poivre. A Lyonnais. There she married a Périgourdin man. They completed their own circumnavigation of the globe in 1775. Her legacy continues. Even a plant Solanum baretiae bears her name.
Allée Jeanne Barret is more than just a street. It’s a symbol of courage. It’s a tribute to her life and achievements. It stands where a bustling wholesale market once thrived. It provided Lyon with food from 1961 to 2009. The buildings around you are new. They were constructed in 2023. The future green spaces are being developed.
Today the Allée Jeanne Barret connects Rue Delandine to Quai Perrache. It’s near the north entrance of the Marché Gare. A health center is close by. It promotes breast cancer care. The nearby Euridis Business School thrives. Walk this quiet street. Remember the daring spirit of Jeanne Barret. Her strength inspires.