“Imagine”, the echoes of masons fill this very Impasse Masson. This isn’t just a street. It’s a story etched in stone and time. Welcome to Impasse Masson, a hidden gem on the slopes of Croix-Rousse.
Impasse Masson connects the Rue du Bon-Pasteur and the Montée des Carmélites. It offers a unique glimpse into Lyon’s past. This short street begins with steps. Then it slopes gently downwards.
Once upon a time, this wasn’t a street at all. It was part of Rue Masson, now the Rue du Bon-Pasteur. In 1858, things changed. The current Rue Masson got its name. The former “Petite Rue de Masson” became the Rue Masson we know today.
Why “Masson”? The name honors the masons. These workers toiled to demolish the citadel of Lyon in 1585. Charles IX ordered the citadel built in 1564. Its demolition required many hands. All masons and laborers in the city were recruited. This accelerated the work. The path they used became a public way. It was known as the “chemin des massons”. “Masson” was the old spelling.
Another theory exists. Louis Maynard suggested a wealthy gold decoration manufacturer gave land to the city. This was to open the Rue du Bon-Pasteur in the 18th century. But historians André Steyert and Adolphe Vachet dispute this.
Evidence suggests that people inhabited the area early because of its location near the Montée des Carmélites. The street’s architecture tells tales of different eras. The even-numbered side features old houses. Number 6 boasts a beautiful door. One house even has a hanging garden. The odd-numbered side is dominated by the Jean Baptiste de la Salle school. It was founded in 1880. The school expanded to occupy the entire eastern side.
Legend says an inscription commemorating the plague of 1428 was once found on a wall in Impasse Masson. This is likely a misinterpretation. It probably refers to a plaque from 1628. That plaque was located on the Grande Côte near Rue Neyret or the current Rue du Bon-Pasteur.
Today, Impasse Masson is quiet. Its lower part serves as a parking area. It lacks shops and businesses. But its history whispers to those who listen. As you stand here, consider the masons. They shaped not just stone but also the city’s story. Their legacy lives on in the very name of Impasse Masson.