“Where did the four columns go?” I wonder as we stand on Rue des Quatre Colonnes. This street’s name evokes images of grand architecture. But today, we see something different.
Rue des Quatre Colonnes begins at the intersection of Rue Pierre Audry and Avenue Barthélemy Buyer. It ends where it meets Rue de la Favorite. This street once boasted four prominent columns.
Let’s take a closer look. The columns are gone. They supported the terrace of a café called “Café des Quatre Colonnes”. The café and its columns were removed to widen the intersection. This happened in 1975. Before their removal, the columns even advertised the Casino de Charbonnières. Imagine that.
Look around. Notice the buildings lining the street. They are simple. Their facades vary from one to four stories high. The west side presents a uniform alignment. Only the house at number 4 breaks the pattern.
Now, shift your gaze to the east side. This side is less uniform. A gate interrupts the first section. A garden fronts a beautiful house at number 3. Further along, you’ll spot a development site that resembles an old boules court.
Saint Irenaeus once compared the four Gospels to four columns of faith. Some say the Palais de Justice is a building of twenty-four columns.
Rue des Quatre Colonnes emerged in stages during the 19th century. The house at the corner of Avenue Barthélemy Buyer dates back to 1850. It was the first structure on this street.
Notice the small square after the intersection. It features two paths. Six benches face each other under nine trees and bushes. It’s a quiet spot amidst the urban landscape. Today, a building of the Rhone provides social activities.
So, while the physical columns are absent. The name Rue des Quatre Colonnes keeps their memory alive. It reminds us of a café. It reminds us of a time when architecture shaped our everyday experience in a different way.