Do you hear that faint echo of laughter? It drifts from Rue des Balançoires. This short street in Lyon holds a playful secret.
Rue des Balançoires is in the Gerland neighborhood. It connects Rue Pré-Gaudry and Rue Michel-Félizat. It sits in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement. But its story swings far beyond its physical size.
Once, this area was the Brotteau de Béchevelin. It was a place for games. Lyonnais residents came here on Sundays. They sought amusement and fun. The original Rue des Balançoires embodied this spirit. Its name means Swing Street.
The street’s name evokes memories of fairs. These fairs took place on the Brotteaux. This was according to Louis Maynard. He called the street Chemin des Balançoires. This translates to Swing Path.
In the late 19th century, Rue des Balançoires stretched further. It ran from Rue Pré-Gaudry to Rue de Gerland.
But the industrial age changed everything. The Compagnie Française des Câbles Électriques. This company became Câbles de Lyon in 1897. It expanded around the street. Eventually, the factory absorbed it. Yet the road remained.
Later, Câbles de Lyon merged with Alcatel. Then it became Nexans. The eastern part of the street became part of Place Jean Jaurès. It formed the square’s northern edge.
In 2015, Lyon decided to reopen Rue des Balançoires. It was reborn.
Today, Nexans still occupies some buildings here. New buildings have risen. The area has transformed.
Françoise Béranger even mentioned Câbles de Lyon in his song. It’s called le blues parlé du syndicat.
As you stand here on Rue des Balançoires, imagine the past. Picture the laughter. Hear the echoes of those Sunday games. Feel the spirit of a street reborn. It is a reminder that even short streets can hold long, playful memories.