Here at Avenue Cabias, we find ourselves on a street that tells a silent story of Lyon’s urban evolution. This avenue isn’t just a road. It’s a journey through time, etched in stone and concrete.
Avenue Cabias stretches from Place Tabareau to Rue Jacquard. It also has a small section between Rue Couturier and Rue Denfert Rochereau. Interestingly, the northern part of the avenue was never fully realized. A remnant of this plan is a street number plaque. You can spot number 54 on a building along Rue Hénon.
Before it was Avenue Cabias, this stretch was known as Avenue des Tapis. The change came after Lyon annexed this area in the mid-19th century. Construction here reflects different eras. The buildings showcase a mix of styles.
Let’s talk about the avenue’s namesake. Pierre Auguste Cabias was born in Lyon in 1802. He died here in 1885. Cabias served as the last mayor of Croix Rousse from 1851 to 1852. He was also a deputy and assistant to the mayor of Lyon. He even lived on Rue Hénon. Back then, it was known as 24 Rue Saint Denis.
Avenue Cabias is wide but short, especially in its southern part. It ends abruptly at the houses on Rue Jacquard. Approaching from Place Tabareau, you will first see old stone buildings. They stand without much decoration. Then, on the even-numbered side, two taller concrete structures rise. Number 6 has a protruding design. Numbers 8 and 10 occupy the entire Jacquard Perrod section.
On the odd-numbered side, two small houses lead to a quiet. This unpaved dead end isolates number 5. It also provides a passage to Place Tabareau. You can still see remnants of gardens here. The section concludes with the solid side of a school.
Looking at the second section of Avenue Cabias, the even-numbered side features a modern six-story building. A gilded entrance hides a garden and apartment block. On the opposite side, two early 1900s buildings stand on a triangular block. Number 19 juts out onto Rue Valentin Couturier. Number 21 boasts a wrought iron portrait. It is signed Chorel and stained glass windows on the rounded corner facing Rue Denfert Rochereau.
Recent efforts have reshaped Avenue Cabias. In 2023, the city implemented changes to improve pedestrian and cyclist access. The avenue between Place Tabareau and Rue Jacquard became one-way southbound. A contraflow lane was added for cyclists. Parking spaces were modified. New bike racks and scooter stands were installed. Twenty new trees were planted. These added 334 square meters of green space.
Even today, Avenue Cabias hosts a mix of businesses. You will find a doctor, a car garage. Also a cleaning company, and an insurance provider. There’s even a comic book colorist adding vibrancy to the street.
Avenue Cabias may be incomplete. It still offers glimpses into Lyon’s past and present. The mix of architectural styles reflects its long history. Its dedication to Pierre Auguste Cabias honors a man who shaped the city. The recent improvements show Lyon’s commitment to creating a more livable space. As we leave Avenue Cabias, consider its layered history. Think about how urban spaces evolve over time.