Impasse Pomone

Tucked away in Lyon’s urban tapestry, Impasse Pomone whispers a tale of intriguing contrasts. Impasse Pomone is a private lane off 45 Rue Maryse Bastié. A barrier guards its entrance. This secluded passage unfolds between a towering seven-story apartment block and the tranquil gardens of the Résidence des Alpes. Imagine the scene. On one side, the imposing apartment building, a hallmark of 1960s architecture, stretches towards the sky. On the other, a protective hedge and barrier shield the gardens and grounds of the Résidence des Alpes. The residences boast balconies and distinctive protruding concrete slabs. Impasse Pomone culminates at the concrete wall of Passage des Alouettes. Residents, however, have an alternative exit at the intersection of Rue Longefer and Passage des Alouettes. Now, picture the namesake of Impasse Pomone: Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and gardens. Did a resident admire her, or did a local bear her name? The mystery remains unsolved. Impasse Pomone also carries echoes of Lyon’s industrial past. The northern part of the area housed the Soupape factory for a significant portion of the 20th century. In 2017, the plaque of ARVFS, the Association of Nationals of the Senegal River Valley, was spotted there, adding another layer to this intriguing location’s story. Impasse Pomone in Lyon: a quiet refuge where history, architecture, and mythology intertwine.