“Journalist, defender of human rights and MP.” This is how we could describe Francis de Pressensé. Today, we are strolling along the Avenue Francis de Pressensé in Lyon. It is named in his honor. Have you ever wondered who he was and what he did?
Francis de Pressensé was born in Paris in 1853. He died there in 1914. He was a journalist and directed several newspapers including l’Aurore. He also headed la vie socialiste and l’Humanité.
Avenue Francis de Pressensé is an extension of Rue Pierre Delore. It comes after Rue Paul Cazeneuve and Rue Henri Barbusse. The west side of the avenue belongs to Vénissieux. It stretches far between buildings and businesses beyond the ring road. The east side exits Lyon after Avenue Viviani. To the north, you can see the Monts d’Or.
Before it was named Avenue Francis de Pressensé, it was known as chemin n°7 de la Guillotière à Marennes. It also went by route de Vénissieux. The road existed before the rest of the neighborhood. Some houses were already present near Rue du Moulin à Vent in the olden days.
The road was built before the rest of the area in the mid-19th century. Some old houses from that time remain in Vénissieux. But the Avenue Francis de Pressensé took its current form in the second half of the 20th century.
In 2019, the roadway was changed. It now accommodates the tram with a grassy strip in the middle. New buildings were constructed in 2023. These form a line on the Vénissieux side.
Francis de Pressensé was at the start of the Human Rights League. He presided over it from 1903 to 1914. As a Rhône deputy, he helped write the 1905 law separating church and state.
At number 43 of Avenue Francis de Pressensé, a passage leads to Rue Denis. It continues between apartment blocks toward the hall on Place du 8 mai. Another path goes around vegetable gardens and returns to the avenue.
The avenue passes two perpendicular blocks. First three, then ten stories high. After that comes the concrete cube of the Nelson Paillou gymnasium. A large concrete curve makes the corner with Rue Sarrazin. Then, after a workshop, a small concrete cube seems isolated. This isolation is due to the vegetable gardens before a huge perpendicular block.
A small building stands alone between Rue Beauvisage and Avenue Viviani. Avenue Viviani goes off at an angle. The building is above some steps. This allows the bar there to set up its terrace.
On the Vénissieux side, there are apartment blocks as well. But some old roadside houses remain lined up.
Today, along Avenue Francis de Pressensé you can find two bars, a bank, a dog groomer and two auto garages. There is also a pizzeria, a hair salon, a nursing office and a phone seller. Canicoif and the café des sports are still present between streets Barbusse and Moulin à Vent. A few food shops and a bar are located between streets Beauvisage and Viviani.
The Nelson Paillou gymnasium facilitates basketball, volleyball and climbing. At number 43, there is a nice lawn. It features a soccer cage, a smaller basketball court and children’s games. The sports hall hosts UCPA. It also serves as a local association space. The Moroccan solidarity association uses it.
In 2023, the Pré Sensé is a shared garden. It is next to a children’s center.
Pressensé Park is a new real estate development near the 8th arrondissement of Lyon. It is in a sought-after area undergoing urban transformation. It is close to public transport like buses and trams. The ring road and A7 highway are also easily accessible.
Francis de Pressensé left his mark on history. He defended the rights of striking workers in Villeurbanne. He also stopped Villeurbanne from being annexed by Lyon. Now, as we continue down Avenue Francis de Pressensé, consider the man of conviction and action who once represented this district.