“Patriot and resistance fighter” That’s what comes to mind when you stand here at Place Jules Hottin. Today, we’re exploring this triangular place in Lyon. It’s formed by the meeting of Avenue Lacassagne and Rue Coignet. It is right before you arrive at Boulevard Pinel.
Place Jules Hottin can be a noisy spot. Many cars drive on the two lanes of Avenue Lacassagne. But Rue Coignet offers a surprising contrast with its calm. A little further up, there’s another grassy area with plane trees.
Look around at the architecture of Place Jules Hottin. The place rises slightly towards the east. This is the direction its point indicates. The south side has six houses. Most have two floors. They align with Rue Coignet. Number 5 is under construction using rubble stone. The others seem to date from the 1950s. On the west side, two twin houses connect Avenue Lacassagne and Rue Coignet. They show two facades with two windows on two floors. This extends Rue des Mobiles.
The center of Place Jules Hottin features a beautiful grassy area. It’s enriched with a flower bed. You’ll also see a bush with four small trees and a larger plane tree. Two benches invite you to sit and watch the flowers grow.
Now, let’s talk about Jules Hottin himself. He was born in Carvin in 1896 and died in Lyon in 1952. He is honored as a resistance fighter and patriot. Jules Hottin was a police commander. He worked in training and social services. In the 1930s, he initiated the development of the subdivision at the top of Rue Lacassagne. This was on meadows where his sister-in-law’s cows grazed.
Jules Hottin actually lived on Place Jules Hottin. His house was at the corner of Avenue Lacassagne, number 206. His widow lived on the place dedicated to her husband until 1992. She took great pride in this honor. She even kept order herself. She would chase away unruly children and drunk homeless people.
The intersection here is old. But Place Jules Hottin seems to have been improved around the year 2000. In 2017, it was under construction again. This work started with the arrival of the tram on Boulevard Pinel. Before the improvements, the place was an enclosed square. It had more plane trees, a sandbox for children, and benches for parents to watch them and take a break.
So, as you stand here, remember Jules Hottin. Remember his dedication to Lyon. Remember the history beneath your feet. This place is more than just an intersection. It’s a tribute to a man who made a difference. A man who lived right here among us.