“A very old path” a local whispers about Rue de la Chapelle. Today, we’re exploring this street. It holds more history than you might expect.
Rue de la Chapelle begins on Rue Patel. It gently slopes north, ending at a barrier. This barrier faces the expressway to the Fourvière tunnel.
Let’s talk about the architecture. The east side runs by the last building of Deux Amants on Rue Patel. Notice the bakery’s mural. It depicts wheat being unloaded from the Saône river. Further along, you’ll see garages covered in greenery. An alley runs alongside these garages. It connects to Rue Patel on foot, passing the Chapelle park wall.
The west side is the Champvert residence. These buildings vary in height. They are staggered in the style of the district. You can recognize them by their rounded balconies.
At the end of Rue de la Chapelle, a gate provides access to large sports fields. This area offers basketball hoops and cages.
The street’s name comes from a chapel. According to Jean Pelletier, the park’s house once had one. Interestingly, another Rue Chapelle exists elsewhere in Lyon. It is dedicated to Joseph Chapelle. There is also a musician named Cédric de la Chapelle, a guitarist. He founded a Lyon band called Slow Joe and the Ginger Accident. He found their singer in Goa, India.
Rue de la Chapelle has ancient roots. Under the old regime, it connected the Demi Lune road to Montribloud road.
In the early 20th century, Rue de la Chapelle was longer. The construction of Rue Patel and the expressway shortened it. The expressway created a dead end. Apart from the park keeper’s house, the street took its current form in the 1970s. The baker is located on the corner of Rue Patel. His presence marks a familiar spot for locals.
So, Rue de la Chapelle is a blend of old and new. It combines historical paths with modern structures. The street shows Lyon’s evolution over time. It is a reminder of the city’s layers of history.