Rue de l’Épargne

“Savings,” mused Jean-Baptiste, adjusting his cravat, “a fitting name for a street near a former military fort.” He paused on Rue de l’Épargne, the bustling thoroughfare slicing through Lyon. Rue de l’Épargne, once a humble country lane, now pulsed with the rhythm of modern life. It stretched from the quiet Rue du Repos, bridging the gap between the past and present, all the way to the modern Rue Audibert Lavirotte and Rue Marius Berliet. Rue de l’Épargne served as a major entry point into Lyon for those traveling by car, a route commencing at Avenue Mermoz, just off the Grenoble motorway, and continuing to the Rue and Pont de l’Université. While not traditionally a pedestrian’s paradise, Rue de l’Épargne offered glimpses of the Château de la Motte’s towers, a sight hopefully enhanced by the fort’s future transformation into a public garden. Choosing the right sidewalk was crucial for pedestrians, as the only crossing was at Boulevard des Tchécoslovaques. Interestingly, between Rue Roy and Rue Lamothe, Rue de l’Épargne actually runs parallel to and above the lower-lying Rue du Repos. In 2018, a significant change occurred on Rue de l’Épargne. A small square facing Rue Roy, near Rue du Repos, was redesigned as the western entrance to Parc Blandan. Before, this square, with its charming pavilions and two-toned stone wall, had been overrun with parked cars. Further down Rue de l’Épargne, about a hundred meters on, a gate was opened in the former barracks’ wall, revealing the impressive Château de la Motte. The Château boasted a magnificent main building, punctuated by round towers at its corners and others rising above. Rue de l’Épargne then curves eastward, bordered by a concrete wall extending the fort’s perimeter on one side and the wall of the old Guillotière cemetery on the other. From this vantage point, particularly the south sidewalk, one could admire another wing and additional towers of the Château. The transformation continued in 2018 when part of the concrete wall was lowered. This revealed stunning views of the evolving park, promising even better vistas as the park’s development continued. The pedestrian bridge, partially closed to foot traffic, could be bypassed via a path leading to Boulevard des Tchécoslovaques. This path ran alongside an undeveloped area of grass and trees, dotted with makeshift shelters. Reaching the bridge required ascending a concrete staircase. From there, the bridge crossed the Boulevard and the railway tracks. By 2018, thanks to the opening of Parc Blandan, the bridge was more accessible to pedestrians. Descending from the bridge, the northern side of Rue de l’Épargne was defined by the two-toned concrete pillars enclosing the police station. The south side underwent construction, featuring large facades with various volumes and setbacks, divided into two groups by Rue de l’Éternité. The names of the streets in this area, “Solidarité” and “Épargne” (Solidarity and Savings), were chosen after Rue de l’Éternité (Eternity), which leads to the cemetery.