Rue des Chartreux

From vineyard paths to bustling city life, the Rue des Chartreux in Lyon has seen quite a transformation. We’re standing before a street steeped in history, a street named after the Carthusian monks who once called this area home. Rue des Chartreux wasn’t always the vibrant street we see today. Back in the 16th century, this was merely a path winding through vineyards and orchards, leading to the Carthusian monastery. The monks, seeking solitude, established their presence here in 1585, south of this very path. Imagine King Henry III of France in 1584, visiting Lyon. He encounters these Carthusian monks from Grande Chartreuse. They petition him for a place in Lyon to establish a house of their order. This royal encounter led to the creation of the Chartreuse de Lyon, giving the Rue des Chartreux its name, a name officially documented as early as 1745. The monks’ influence extended beyond the street name. The area became a hub of Carthusian life. You can still find remnants of their presence in the Église Saint-Bruno des Chartreux, the Place des Chartreux, and even the Impasse des Chartreux. Rue des Chartreux wasn’t officially named until much later, but its roots are firmly planted in this monastic history. Now, fast forward to the 19th century. Houses begin to appear along the former vineyard path, transforming Rue des Chartreux into a residential street. The area slowly evolves from monastic seclusion to a bustling part of Lyon’s urban landscape. In 2006, a demolition at number 7 Rue des Chartreux unearthed a fascinating discovery. Remnants from the Roman era emerged, possibly from the Via Rhin, a Roman road once thought to be located further east. Rue des Chartreux is more than just a street; it is a testament to Lyon’s rich and layered past. From a humble vineyard path serving a secluded monastery, it blossomed into a vital artery of the city.