Seven buildings stand tall. They line Rue Camille Koechlin in Villeurbanne. This unassuming street holds a piece of Lyon’s industrial past. It whispers tales of the Gillet factories.
In 1893 the Gillet company built these homes. They were for their workers. 380 people lived here. These weren’t just any houses. They offered comfort. They even had workers’ gardens. Skilled laborers lived here. Appraisers dyers and colorists called this place home.
The buildings themselves are notable. They are four stories high. Their facades are rhythmic. Six bays and two central entrances mark each building. The workers’ gardens were at the back. The buildings were made of concrete.
Rue Camille Koechlin isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about community. It shows how a company cared for its employees. It’s a testament to a bygone era of industrial Lyon. The street remains a living reminder. It stands as a symbol of a time when factory workers enjoyed a level of housing unseen in many places.
Since 1999 the Opac du Rhône manages these buildings. They continue to stand as a silent testament. They are a window into the past of working-class life in Lyon. They are a significant part of the city’s industrial heritage. The street holds history. Its very stones breathe tales of a different time.