Boulevard Chambaut de la Bruyère

“A river’s power, a city’s growth,” the old Lyonnaise whispered, adjusting her shawl. “That’s the story of Boulevard Chambaud de la Bruyère.” We stand here, at the edge of this bustling boulevard, a testament to vision and progress. Boulevard Chambaud de la Bruyère stretches from Avenue Tony Garnier, reaching towards Saint Fons. It’s a double-laned artery, lined with trees and shrubs. This boulevard wasn’t always a thoroughfare. The original Chemin de Gerland once extended further, before the port’s construction in the 1930s truncated it. The boulevard, initially named Rue de l’Est du Port, arose from this transformation. The boulevard’s namesake, Guy Chambaud de la Bruyère, played a pivotal role in shaping Lyon. He served as vice president of the Rhône’s general council and spearheaded the Rhône development project. This project birthed the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône and locally, the Port Edouard Herriot. The port’s development dictated the boulevard’s path. Chambaud de la Bruyère’s vision extended beyond the port. He championed using the Rhône’s power for navigation, irrigation, and generating energy. His dedication is documented in his published work on the Rhône’s development. Boulevard Chambaud de la Bruyère has evolved over time. Around the year 2000, the city initiated efforts to integrate it into the urban fabric. Landscape architect Corrajoux led the project to transform the boulevard from its previous highway-like state. The aim was to make it more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. Today, the boulevard is more than a roadway. It serves the Techsud business park and anchors the growing ZAC Porte Ampère development. Genzyme’s presence here marks it as a significant industrial hub. Look closely at the eastern side. You’ll see a palisade adorned with biotechnology-themed artwork, reflecting the area’s modern focus. As we walk along, note the remnants of the old: the EDF substation with its network of wires and pillars. This boulevard, once a route to industrial areas, is now a vital part of Lyon’s vibrant present. It whispers of the city’s industrial past, its evolving present, and the vision of a man who saw the potential of a river and a city.