Might we pause here for a moment to appreciate Rue Benjamin Delessert? This street in Lyon is more than just a path. It’s a tribute to a remarkable man.
Rue Benjamin Delessert begins on avenue Jean Jaurès. It ends as a dead end just past rue Gouy. The street stops at the wall of the Maison des Familles. From there, you can see the Château de Gerland. This street marks the southern edge of the Cité Jardin de Gerland.
Let’s talk about the architecture of Rue Benjamin Delessert. Only the north side has buildings. You will notice three similar buildings. They have four floors and balconies. Bas-reliefs decorate them. These carvings depict Lyon scenes with parents and children. An alley runs behind the buildings. It provides trees and parking spaces. On the south side, glycine covers a barrier. This separates the street from the Gerland park and ride.
So who was Benjamin Delessert? He was born in Lyon on February 14, 1773. He died in Passy on March 1, 1847. Delessert was a philanthropist. He founded soup kitchens. He was involved in many social causes. He founded a sugar refinery. There, he developed a method for extracting sugar from beets.
Benjamin Delessert led the Bank of France for 45 years. He secured the right to print banknotes. In 1818, he founded the Caisses d’Épargne. This led to the creation of the famous Livret A savings account.
He was also a member of the Academy of Sciences. He knew the greatest scientists of his time. Delessert was an amateur botanist. He amassed huge collections of plants and shells. These are now in Geneva’s botanical garden and natural history museum. Several plants and shells bear his name.
Delessert served as a deputy for Paris and Saumur. He was also the vice president of the assembly. In 1976, sugar industries founded the Institut Benjamin Delessert for food research. You can find his biography there. Also, you can see a photo of him. Plus, there are two of his shells. A swimming pool and a gym on rue de Gerland also honor him.
Rue Benjamin Delessert was created in 1931. This followed the construction of the Cité de Gerland. Robert and Chollat designed it in 1925. It has been recognized as a 20th-century heritage site. The south side was once used by the Seutet factories. These factories were torn down. The Gerland park and ride replaced them.
A plaque with palms marks a tragic spot. It reads: Here lived Michel Martin. He died for France on April 12, 1944.
The city’s social action committee operates public bathhouses here.
As you stroll along Rue Benjamin Delessert. Remember the man who dedicated his life to science, business, and helping others. His legacy lives on not only in this street’s name. It also lives on in the institutions and collections he fostered. His impact on Lyon and France is undeniable.