Once upon a time Rue Bossuet in Lyon was known as Rue des Amis. This charming street in the Brotteaux district boasts a rich history. It connects Avenue du Marechal-de-Saxe and Boulevard des Belges. Imagine strolling down Rue Bossuet. You’d pass 19th-century bourgeois facades. Notice the impressive lintel at number 6. The elegant door at number 4 is a sight to behold.
Further down Rue Bossuet the architecture changes. Older stone houses stand amidst newer residences. At number 35 the 6th arrondissement’s town hall stands proudly. Its main building is set in a beautiful courtyard. Two sturdy wings flank it. Their slate roofs are a lovely detail. Beyond Rue Tête d’Or the street winds past a garden and a less attractive multi-story building. A small block cuts across offering a glimpse of Rue Cuvier.
Rue Bossuet regains its harmony. Simple facades four to six stories high line the street. Some reveal their stonework. Others are plastered. An 1893 mansion stands out among them. Number 54 offers a traboule a secret passage. It leads to Rue Boileau and Rue Cuvier. Sadly the door is closed. Number 108 has a long courtyard with unique staircases. A small statue of the Virgin Mary watches over the street at number 120.
The style of Rue Bossuet shifts again. A short section added after Boulevard des Brotteaux displays overhanging facades. They date from 1923 and 1924. This street has witnessed history. Max Frrot a member of the Action Directe terrorist group hid nearby in 1986. In 2005 police found cocaine hidden in a shipment of Belgian chocolate. Tragedy struck in 2010. Sylviane Brochet was murdered and raped in her parking lot. Her killer Cherif Goussi was sentenced to 20 years.
Today Rue Bossuet is a lively place. Twenty-six associations cluster near the town hall. The town hall also houses the 6th arrondissement’s library. Numerous businesses line the street. Restaurants shops and services cater to residents and visitors alike. This street named after Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet reflects the layered history of Lyon. Its buildings and stories whisper tales of the past. Rue Bossuet truly is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.