Curious how a street in Lyon shares its name with a city over 300 kilometers away. This is Rue d’Arles. This street’s story is intertwined with both Lyon’s industrial heart and a kingdom of old.
Rue d’Arles is situated within the Port Edouard Herriot. You can find it along the darse des hydrocarbures. Hydrocarbons are organic chemical compounds. Accessing it involves entering the port through entrance A. It extends from Quai Fillon.
Back at the street’s origin, from the grid at the corner. That would be Rue Jean Bouin and Quai Fillon. The first petroleum tanks are visible. This regulated circulation hints at the street’s industrial purpose.
But why Arles? The answer lies in history. Boson founded the kingdom of Arles in 873. This kingdom encompassed Arles itself, Lyon and Burgundy. Lyon was several times a part of the kingdom of Arles. It was a distant dependency of the empire. One notable instance was in 1188. Henri VI came to Lyon. Paul Fournier wrote about this in his book. It is titled Le royaume d’Arles et de Vienne sous les premiers empereurs de la maison de Souabe.
Arles was chosen as the namesake. This is because one could travel by boat there from Lyon. Arles is where the Rhone drains the most water. It divides to form the Camargue. The Camargue is a river delta region.
Adding to the Rhone connection, the sapines once traveled from Lyon. These boats carried merchandise. Chestnuts were among the goods transported. The fir wood used to build the boats was sold upon arrival in Arles.
Now, consider Arles itself. It is the largest city in France by area. Its 76000 hectares dwarf its population of 53000 inhabitants.
While Rue d’Arles may seem unassuming today. It is a reminder of Lyon’s connections to both industry and ancient kingdoms. The street is dedicated to industry. You will find petroleum establishments here. So, as you stand on Rue d’Arles. Remember that you are standing on a street. It links Lyon to a kingdom. That kingdom shaped the history of the region.