Does the name Eugénie de Montijo ring a bell? Cours Eugénie is dedicated to her. She was the wife of Napoleon III. This happened while he was in power.
Let’s delve into the story of this Lyon street. Cours Eugénie begins opposite 77 cours du Docteur Long. It runs along Place du Château. It continues south to 60 avenue Rockefeller. A barrier prevents access to the faculty of medicine on rue Paradin.
Cars travel south to Rue Ferdinand Buisson. Then, they move in both directions. Numbers are marked on lampposts for easy navigation along Cours Eugénie.
Architecturally, Cours Eugénie opens between rounded corners. These corners belong to two seven-story buildings. They are in the style of the 1950s. These are followed by buildings from the next decade. These have rows of balconies.
The cours bends slightly southward. It passes between a building from around 2000 and Place du Château. The main section begins after Rue Ferdinand Buisson. Wide sidewalks border it. Each sidewalk has a row of trees. Houses line the street. Most are one-story. Some align with the street. Others sit in gardens behind walls. Look for carpentry details at numbers 24 and 30. Also, admire the ironwork balcony at number 25. A swan in flight adorns the roof of number 48.
Two mid-20th-century buildings face Rue Bonnaud. Three others intersect with Avenue Lacassagne. The wooden balconies at number 62 face colorful shapes of the opposite building.
Cours Eugénie changes again after Rue Martin. There is a large sports field here. It slopes gently uphill. Larger houses stand here. Some are luxurious with big gardens. Note the ornate gate at number 69. Also, see the pointed roofs and large windows.
The cours alters one last time after Avenue Esquirol. A house aligns on the west side. The wall of an apartment block faces Hôpital Desgenettes. This hospital has a large concrete facade. It stands behind a wide gate. A chapel with a recessed cross is behind a small gate.
Cours Eugénie owes its existence to the dismantling of the Richard Vitton estate. Unlike other streets honoring family members, this one honors Eugénie de Montijo. Empress Eugénie was received by Louise Richard Vitton at the Château de Montchat.
Eugénie was born in Granada on May 5, 1826. She died in Madrid on July 11, 1920.
She helped run the empire with her husband. Eugénie advanced women’s causes. She aided Julie Daubié in getting her baccalaureate in Lyon. She also helped her get the Legion of Honor.
She popularized bathing in Biarritz. She also launched Eugénie-les-Bains. Briefly, a street was named Rue de l’Impératrice after her. It later became Edouard Herriot.
Rue Eugénie was laid out in the late 19th century. It was extended after Rue Trarieux around 1870. Only the northern part was built in the early years.
Most houses before Rue Trarieux date from the early 20th century. Those beyond are more recent. Apartment buildings were added from the mid-20th century.
During the German occupation, Faure Pinguely was assassinated at his home. He was the vice-president of Lyon’s special tribunal. These tribunals repressed resistance activities.
Today, Atelier Atome represents art on Cours Eugénie. Athletes can train with new comfort. Work has begun to replace the dirt surface of the Eugénie stadium. It will be replaced with synthetic turf.
Shops cluster near Place du Château. Find appliance and lingerie stores here. There is also a beauty salon, travel agency, and florist. A butcher is present as well.
Three medical offices and a magnetizer serve the community. A bar with a fitting name “le Génie” offers a small terrace. Cours Eugénie has a rich history. It is a street of diverse architecture and interesting stories.