Had a street ever been named for such a modest virtue? Here we stand on Rue de l’Humilité, a street that whispers tales of humility amidst the vibrant energy of Lyon. Rue de l’Humilité, tucked away in the 3rd, later the 7th, and finally the 8th arrondissement, stretches from Rue Auguste Lacroix, crossing Rue Bonnefoi, and ending at Avenue de Saxe. It’s a relatively young street, carved out in the early 19th century alongside its neighbors, Rue de la Vigilance (now Lacroix) and Rue Bonnefoi. One might imagine the name originating from a noble gesture, a land donation perhaps. The story goes that it was Monsieur Rachais, owner of the Château de la Buire, who emphasized humility when gifting land to the municipality of La Guillotière for the street’s creation.
Rue de l’Humilité isn’t just a quiet residential lane. It holds a lively past. Imagine the aroma of hops and malt wafting through the air. From 1846 to 1955, the corner of Rue de l’Humilité and Cours Gambetta housed the Bouvard and Gouffard brewery, famed for its lukewarm beer. Later, rising from the brewery’s remnants, the Eldorado theater hosted luminaries like Pierre Brasseur and Mistinguett, its stage echoing with music and laughter. And in 1905, the flickering magic of cinema graced the Eldorado, adding another layer to the street’s vibrant history. Sadly, this bustling hub of entertainment is now gone, lost to time and redevelopment.
Rue de l’Humilité witnessed the joining of two families deeply intertwined with Lyon’s history. At number 3 resided the Winckler family, brewers themselves. In a beautiful twist of fate, on August 31, 1893, their children, Marguerite and Adolphe, married siblings Juliette and Auguste Lumière, forever linking the Wincklers and Lumières to this unassuming street. Today, the south side of Rue de l’Humilité boasts a modern facade, rebuilt in the early 21st century, a stark contrast to the older structures on the north side. While businesses and medical practices now occupy the street, the echoes of its past, from brewing families to theatrical spectacles, still linger in the air. So next time you find yourself on Rue de l’Humilité, remember its humble beginnings, its lively entertainment, and the touch of family history that makes this quiet street a hidden gem in the heart of Lyon.