Rue Bellecombe

Nestled between Lyon and Villeurbanne, Rue Bellecombe whispers stories of a simpler time. Rue Bellecombe wasn’t always the bustling street you see today. It began as a humble path leading to the Belle Combe farm, a name meaning “beautiful valley”. This farm, existing even before the French Revolution, stood near present-day Rue de la Viabert. Rue Bellecombe evolved from this path, eventually extending towards Place des Charpennes. The name stuck, becoming synonymous with the district bridging Lyon and Villeurbanne. Interestingly, the name “Bellecombe” meaning beautiful valley, seems a bit out of place in this relatively flat area. The Bellecombe area saw its main development at the start of the 20th century, coinciding with the construction of the Antoine Remond school. Later, from 1929 to 1967, it housed the Maheu and Labrosse fire engine factory, before their relocation to Saint Priest. Today, Rue Bellecombe is a mix of old and new. Modern buildings, some reaching ten stories high, stand alongside older structures. Among these are the rounded, metallic two-story building at the corner of Rue Broquin, home to electrical industries, and the imposing structure of Collège Bellecombe. Further down, you’ll find the Antoine Remond school and the Banque Populaire, its brown facade a striking contrast to the surrounding architecture. Today, Rue Bellecombe is more than just a street. It’s a vibrant hub with shops, restaurants, and even a Franco-Japanese cultural center, a testament to Lyon’s diverse and evolving identity.