Have you ever strolled down a street that whispers tales of kings, revolutionaries, and devastating floods? Today, we stand before Grande Rue de la Guillotière, a street whose story is interwoven with the very fabric of Lyon. Grande Rue de la Guillotière began as a medieval thoroughfare, the main artery of the Guillotière faubourg. It started at the Place Gabriel-Péri, formerly Place du Pont, and wound its way eastward, eventually extending into the 8th arrondissement as Avenue des Frères-Lumière. This wasn’t just any street. It was part of the “Route du Dauphiné,” a gateway for travelers coming from the southwest, including royalty like Philippe Auguste, Richard the Lionheart, Saint Louis, and Louis XI. Imagine the bustling inns and hotels that lined the Grande Rue de la Guillotière, catering to these weary travelers. Over time, Grande Rue de la Guillotière absorbed other smaller streets, like Rue de la Croix, Rue d’Ossaris, and Rue des Hirondelles. A fragment of Route de Grenoble also became part of this ever-evolving thoroughfare. The street’s history is marked by dramatic events. A plaque near Rue Gilbert Dru soberly reminds us of the devastating flood of February 18th, 1812, when the Rhône’s waters surged over its banks. This wasn’t an isolated incident. The Guillotière faubourg suffered repeated floods, with the waters reaching a terrifying three meters in 1812. In the midst of Grande Rue de la Guillotière stands the Église Saint-Louis de la Guillotière, a silent witness to the street’s long history. The street’s evolution continued into the 20th and 21st centuries, with demolitions and new constructions reshaping its character. While some might lament the loss of older architectural elements, the Grande Rue de la Guillotière continues to adapt, blending old and new. Today, the street undergoes transformations with widened sidewalks, a dedicated cycle path, and an influx of greenery. As we leave Grande Rue de la Guillotière, let us remember its captivating journey through time, a testament to Lyon’s rich and vibrant past.
Soierie Vivante
Isn’t it remarkable how threads can weave history? Here at Soierie Vivante, we don’t just display silk we bring its