Avenue du Point du Jour

Journey with me back to a time before the bustling cityscapes, to the early dawn on Avenue du Point du Jour. Imagine hunters gathering on horseback, the air crisp with anticipation. They meet at the place now known as Place Benedict Tessier, near a tranquil pond. Avenue du Point du Jour translates to “break of day”. This was their meeting point before venturing westward on their hunts. The avenue, even today, retains a whisper of that bygone era. Avenue du Point du Jour stretches westward from the Croix Blanche, near the university residence, all the way to Place Benedict Tessier. This place, where Rue François Genin and Rue des Aqueducs meet, marks the avenue’s end. It then transforms into Rue Joliot Curie. This avenue, a wide, gently sloping thoroughfare, still echoes the curves of the old path it once was. It’s lined with plane trees, offering a pleasant stroll with access to the Parc de la Mairie and several benches. Avenue du Point du Jour also has a peculiar charm. It doesn’t intersect with any other streets, only serving several dead ends and alleys. This area, Le Point-du-Jour, nestled in Lyon’s 5th arrondissement, was a haven for wealthy families. They sought respite in its verdant tranquility. From the 1950s, urbanization transformed the landscape. Luxury residences sprouted amidst the former country estates, creating a blend of old and new. Avenue du Point du Jour evolved alongside the neighborhood. It witnessed the construction of apartment buildings and modern residences. Yet, it has preserved the character of its past, with grand mansions and gardens still gracing areas like Rue François-Genin. The spirit of “Le Point du Jour,” the meeting point at daybreak, lives on.