Along Boulevard Anatole France in Lyon’s 6th arrondissement stands the Lycée du Parc. Its imposing facade speaks of history. This boulevard isn’t just a road. It’s a timeline etched in stone and brick.
Boulevard Anatole France wasn’t always a boulevard. Before 1883 a military fort stood here. It was part of Lyon’s fortifications. The soldiers were gone. The Lycée du Parc rose in their place. Completed in 1913 it initially served as a barracks. Later it became a hospital before finally becoming the renowned school we see today.
The boulevard’s name honors Anatole France a celebrated French writer and Nobel laureate. His godfather was a Lyon bookseller. The mayor of Lyon himself supported his widow at his funeral. It’s a testament to France’s enduring legacy. The street’s prior name was Boulevard du Lycée a simpler less evocative title.
The boulevard is wide. Its sidewalks are shaded by plane trees. These lead directly to the tranquil Parc de la Tête d’Or. On the east side the imposing Lycée du Parc stands. Its large windows and brown stone are striking. The entrance features a grand staircase. A pigeon loft and a beautifully decorated clock with various figures are visible in the courtyard.
On the west side six-story buildings with balconies stand tall. One building dates back to 1926. Between Rue Sully and Rue Crillon the Anatole France stadium provides a wide open space. Three more buildings stand before Square Billon. The last features large balconies supported by sculptures. Three women’s heads and a lion adorn the supports. Further down two eight-story buildings with large balconies lead towards Cours Vitton.
The boulevard witnessed momentous occasions. During World War I it served as a hospital. In 1939 soldiers once again occupied the Lycée du Parc. They were first French then German. The students returned in 1944. In 1968 students renamed the Lycée du Parc the Lycée de la Révolte. It was a short lived testament to the events of May 1968. The building itself remains a site of learning. It stands as a beacon of education a reminder of Lyon’s rich history. It continues to shape the lives of its students. Many notable figures studied there. Among them are Nobel laureate Louis Néel physicist and René Belletto novelist.
Boulevard Anatole France is more than a thoroughfare. It is a living testament to Lyon’s history. It is a place where past and present intertwine. It embodies the city’s resilience.