“Duret.” The name likely meant nothing to most passersby. Yet, here at Impasse Duret, we find a quiet testament to a family’s impact on Lyon. This isn’t a grand boulevard. It is not even a bustling street. Impasse Duret is a small dead-end alley. It is tucked away off Rue des Peupliers.
Impasse Duret widens slightly at its end. It provides access to just two houses, numbered 17 and 19. The alley is unpaved. The ground underfoot is bare earth.
On the south side of Impasse Duret, a house along Rue des Peupliers stands. Its garden stretches along the alley’s edge. To the north, a large house marks the corner of the street. This house boasts a handsome gate. Flowerpots adorn its pillars. Beyond this house, another path runs parallel. It leads toward Parc Chambovet.
The large corner house seems to date back to the early 20th century. This was when the neighborhood was developed. The two houses within Impasse Duret itself are newer. They are of more recent construction.
But who was Duret? Duret owned the land here when the impasse was created. The Duret family’s connection to Lyon runs deeper. There is a Place Julien Duret in Lyon’s eighth arrondissement. Also Pierre Duret, an architect, designed Notre Dame de Bellecombe. In 1880, he also signed the building at 288 cours Lafayette. Even today, the Duret name appears in Lyon. Aline Duret writes articles for Le Progrès.
And there is also Julien Duret. Not the same Julien Duret as the place in the eighth arrondissement is named for. This Julien Duret, a Lyonnais engineer, saved a young girl from drowning in New York. This brave act captured headlines. He was even dubbed “the Frenchman” by American newspapers.
The association “J’aime Montchat” formed in 2018. They aim to preserve the neighborhood’s character. They want to protect its houses and gardens. They hope to prevent their replacement by apartment buildings. Impasse Duret stands as a reminder of simpler times. It shows a time before large-scale development. It reminds us of the importance of preserving green spaces.
So, as we stand here at Impasse Duret, let us appreciate its quiet charm. Let us think about the Duret family. They have left their mark on Lyon in various ways. From architecture to acts of heroism, their legacy continues. And let us also reflect on the importance of community. Let us consider the need to protect the character of our neighborhoods. Even a small alley like this has its own story to tell.