Who was Charles Perrault? You might know his fairy tales. But did you know he was also a prominent intellectual? Right here on Rue Charles Perrault in Lyon we stand in the shadow of a man who shaped European thought.
This street honors Charles Perrault. He was a man of many talents. He belonged to the prestigious Académie Française. He even wrote about the parallels between ancient and modern writers. Ironically his work helped launch the Age of Enlightenment. This era wasn’t always fond of fairy tales.
His legacy rests on a small book. It was published in 1697. It contained eight simple stories. The book’s title was Stories or Tales from Times Past with Morals. The frontispiece added the enchanting title Tales of Mother Goose. Perrault did not publish it under his name. He used his son Pierre’s name instead.
Perrault’s stories were already well-known. He didn’t invent them. He gave them literary legitimacy. His narratives are part of a storytelling tradition shared for generations. He chose his stories carefully. He wrote them with wit and style. These stories continue to enchant readers worldwide.
Rue Charles Perrault itself might not have a fairy tale history. The street’s name however is a reminder. It reminds us of this influential writer. He was more than just a storyteller. He was a key figure in the intellectual landscape of 17th-century France.
So as you walk down Rue Charles Perrault imagine. Imagine a street named for a man who gave voice to centuries of stories. A man who had a major impact on literature. A man remembered for the magic in his tales. And for the important role he played in the European Enlightenment. A man worthy of a street in Lyon.