Place Père François Varillon

What’s in a name? Place Père François Varillon. The very name evokes a sense of history, doesn’t it? Here we stand, at this bustling square in Lyon, once simply a junction where Rue Gerlier met Rue de Trion. Today, Place Père François Varillon pulsates with the rhythm of modern life and whispers secrets of its past. The square is divided into three distinct sections. Buses occupy one area. Another serves as a parking lot, even hosting a driving school. The final section offers a welcome respite, a harmonious blend of flowers, plants, and a mini-square with four benches, nestled within the bustling activity. Around the square, a dozen plane trees stand sentinel, their leaves rustling in the breeze. Look up, and you’ll see a small, verdant park perched on the hill to the north, held aloft by a retaining wall. An old white house peeks out from behind the funicular station. This funicular, locally known as “la ficelle”, descends to Les Minimes and Vieux Lyon. Place Père François Varillon is actually sometimes called Place de la Ficelle due to its location at the funicular terminus. The funicular connects with bus lines 42, 45, and 66, though the routes and numbers have shifted over the years. Père François Varillon, the square’s namesake, lived from 1905 to 1978. He was a Jesuit priest, a prolific writer on religious topics, and winner of the Grand Prix catholique de littérature. Though Wikipedia claims he was born and died in Bron, other sources indicate he died in Châtelard, Francheville. This square wasn’t always here. In the 1980s, the area underwent a transformation. Before then, this was simply the point where Rue Gerlier branched off from Rue de Trion. Though steeped in two millennia of travelers passing through the Saint Just district, the location’s connection to transportation has remained constant. On August 8, 1878, the first funicular arrived here, marking a pivotal moment in the area’s history. A decade later, the Vaugneray railway line, a charming little train, began operation, carrying workers into Lyon and city dwellers to the countryside on Sundays. This line ran until 1954. Place Père François Varillon continues to evolve. In 2019, it underwent renovations to enhance the funicular exit. Today, you can find modern amenities like a small Casino supermarket, a public mailbox, a telephone accessible to those with disabilities, and public restrooms. Beneath the surface lies a subterranean parking garage. The central island has expanded over time, now a flourishing garden with ramps leading down to the parking and a smaller one ascending to a viewing platform. Stone benches encircle the vibrant vegetation. Place Père François Varillon seamlessly weaves together the past and the present.