Ever paused to consider the weight of a name? The Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine whispers tales of loss. It echoes with resilience.
This street is in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon. It connects the western end of Rue de Provence to the intersection of Rue Roger-Violi. Grande rue des Feuillants and Place Croix-Paquet meet here.
Let’s journey back. Imagine France in 1870. The Franco-Prussian War ends. The Treaty of Versailles is signed in 1871. France cedes Alsace and Lorraine to the German Empire. These provinces are now lost. This loss stings. The pain is etched into the national consciousness.
Lyon decides to honor these lost territories. It names a street Rue d’Alsace. This happens on July 22nd. The decision is approved by the city council. But initially, only Alsace is remembered in the street’s name.
Time marches on. The wounds of war slowly heal. In 1908, Lyon adds “Lorraine” to the street’s name. It becomes Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine. This act fully acknowledges the lost provinces.
Before this, the street had other names. In the early 1750s, it was Rue du Séminaire. This name came from a grand seminary nearby. The seminary was destroyed in the 19th century. Gardens now occupy its space at Place Croix-Paquet.
The street was also known as Rue des Deux-Angles. Historian Louis Maynard noted this name was still visible in 1922. A carving on a wall near Place Croix-Paquet showed it. The carving was still there in 2024. But the origin of the name remains a mystery.
For a time, it was named Rue Victor-Arnaud. Victor Arnaud was a deputy mayor of Lyon. He served under Jean-François Terme. Arnaud also managed civil hospices. He was a member of the Commerce circle. The city council decided to honor him.
Today, the Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine is a reminder. It is a symbol of Lyon’s history. The street’s odd side borders 18th-century buildings. The even side features the Michel-Servet schools. The Croix-Paquet metro station sits nearby.
The Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine is more than just a street. It is a testament to Lyon’s past. It is a living memorial to Alsace and Lorraine. It is a place where history and memory intertwine.