Here, at Rue des Tables Claudiennes, imagine bronze whispering secrets. This street owes its name to a bronze table. Emperor Claude’s words were etched upon it. The street stands in the Croix-Rousse district of Lyon. It is in the 1st arrondissement.
Rue des Tables Claudiennes runs parallel to Rue Imbert-Colomès and Rue Burdeau. It starts at Rue Lucien-Sportisse and Montée des Carmélites. The street ends at Montée Saint-Sébastien. You can find the old Lyon School of Fine Arts here. Also, there is the Amphitheater of the Three Gauls.
The name “Rue des Tables Claudiennes” comes from the Table Claudienne. This is a bronze plaque. Engraved on it was a speech by Emperor Claude in 48 AD. He spoke before the Roman Senate. Fragments were found in 1528. The discovery happened on the Saint-Sébastien hill. Today, these fragments are in Lugdunum. That is the Gallo-Roman museum of Fourvière.
The street’s construction occurred over time. Some sections did not originally bear the name. In the early 19th century, the western part was a vineyard. It belonged to Jean-Antoine Breton. He improved the Jacquard loom. Silk production grew in Lyon. This transformed and urbanized the Croix-Rousse area. In 1821, the Donzel brothers bought part of this vineyard. They created Rue Imbert-Colomès and Rue des Tables Claudiennes. They also made Rue Chappet.
A traboule connects number 55 Rue des Tables Claudiennes to number 20 Rue Imbert-Colomès. The street runs along the back of the École des Beaux-Arts. It overlooks the Jardin des Plantes. It also overlooks the Amphitheater of the Three Gauls. Much of the street dates to the 19th century. The style is typical of the Croix-Rousse.
Stroll along Rue des Tables Claudiennes. Notice the small virgin statue at the corner of Rue Pouteau. Admire the knockers at numbers 28 and 51. Take in the door at number 59. The street ends with steps down to Montée Saint-Sébastien.
Emperor Claude was born in Lyon. His birth was on August 1, 10 BC. He died in Rome on October 13, 54 AD. Claude became emperor in 41 AD. He granted advantages to those from his native city. These bronze tables are now at the Gallo-Roman Museum. Claude also built the Pont du Gard. He also built an aqueduct. Its remains are near Beaunant.
Once, the city was named Colonia Copia Claudia. This meant the colony of Claude. Also, he gave his name to Forum Claudii Vallensium. That is now Martigny. Rue des Tables Claudiennes was once called Rue des Petits Pères.
The street is on the site of the Roman temple of Augustus. Little remains of it today. Market gardening and vineyards once covered these slopes. The silk industry led to urbanization. The street’s main part was built in 1824. The final section was completed during the Jardin des Plantes construction.
Today, Rue des Tables Claudiennes hosts artists and artisans. You will find the Celdran dance school here. Also, there is the Phoebus café-concert. The sculptor Denis Rousseau has a studio here. You can visit the L’Ebauchoir painting gallery. The Théâtre des Clochards Célestes is also here. ME1, a community education center, is at number 9. The street maintains its industrial and artisanal activity.
Take a moment to imagine Claude walking these very stones. His legacy lives on in this vibrant street. Its name a testament to his impact on Lyon.