Silence falls as we step into Impasse Gonin. This narrow passage offers a tranquil escape from Lyon’s vibrant streets. Impasse Gonin is more than just a shortcut. It is a journey through time.
The Gonin passage connects Quai Saint Vincent to Cours Giraud. This creates a pleasant route from the Croix Rousse to the Saône docks. Only the lower part of Impasse Gonin allows cars. The upper section transforms into a pedestrian path.
Let’s talk about the history of Impasse Gonin. The Chartreux monks acquired a large estate here in the 16th century. Their gardens once stretched to the Saône. The area of the passage was part of these gardens.
The Quai Saint Vincent became urbanized starting in the 18th century. The sloping land behind it remained a garden. Around 1850, the wall supporting Place Rouville was built. It likely preserved the existing pathway.
The Gonin family significantly shaped this area. André Gonin bought the land after the revolution. This land was at 82 Quai Saint Benoit back then. André started a dyeing business. He developed a method to fix black dye using Campeche wood from Mexico.
Antoine Gonin was a silk dyer. In 1809, he received an award from Prince Lebrun. Antoine extracted scarlet dye from madder. Amédée Gonin co-founded the Musée des Tissus.
Marius Gonin was a prominent Catholic figure. He founded the Chronique Sociale. André Gonin was a cardiologist and academician. He presided over the French Society of Cardiology in 1972. Jean Baptiste Benoit Gonin was an early motorcycle manufacturer in Lyon in 1907.
Legend says that a thirteen-meter bronze statue was found here in 1847. Surprisingly, it vanished without a trace. Today, a leisure center operates at the bottom of Impasse Gonin. A boules club exists higher up in the park.
As you walk through Impasse Gonin observe its unique architecture. The lower part squeezes between two houses on the Quai. Further in, you will see individual houses. The largest one belongs to the leisure center. The pedestrian path winds upwards. It passes through trees, including a beautiful chestnut tree. The path runs along the base of the impressive retaining walls of Place Rouville.
Impasse Gonin offers a peaceful retreat. It blends history, nature, and urban life. Take a moment to appreciate this hidden gem in Lyon.