How about a journey back in time right here on Rue du Bourbonnais? This street is more than just a road. It is a story etched in stone and history.
Rue du Bourbonnais begins at Place du Marché. It stretches out from there like a winding path, taking us from the heart of Vaise to the edge of Tassin and Écully. It is a long and twisting road. It ends at Rue Marietton. Once, this was part of the old route to Paris through Bourbonnais.
The name “Bourbonnais” comes from the Bourbon family. They were powerful. They gave France many kings and even more to Spain. In the 15th century, their duchy reached as far as Trévoux. The main city of this region is Bourbon-l’Archambault.
But the Bourbon family’s connection to Lyon goes deeper. Charles de Bourbon was the Cardinal Archbishop of Lyon. He served from 1466 to 1488. Two princes from the House of Bourbon died in Lyon in 1362. They succumbed to wounds from the Battle of Brignais. They fought against the Tard Venus.
Rue du Bourbonnais follows an ancient Roman road. Archaeological digs at number 103 unearthed Roman remains. These artifacts date back to the second and third centuries.
Look around. You will see how Rue du Bourbonnais has transformed over time. In 1671, Madame de Grignan chose this route to enter Lyon. This was different from the usual Saône River route. Her mother, the Marquise de Sévigné, wrote about it in her famous letters. In 1863, the old road became a street. In 1873, Rue du Bourbonnais was widened. This happened above the Belle Fontaine stream.
Let’s pause at number 82. A plaque here marks where Henri Mazuir lived. He was a hero of the Resistance who was shot at La Doua. Mazuir was responsible for printing the Franc Tireur newspaper. His portrait and last letters are kept at the CHRD.
Take a closer look at the buildings around us. Some old houses are mixed with the new. The street curves around the 9th arrondissement’s town hall. Some older buildings were replaced in 2017. Now there is a new building that is just completed.
After Rue Berthet, the street changes. It passes between rows of simple houses and apartment buildings. On the south side, the buildings are set back. There are bar terraces and small gardens.
Across from Rue Jouffroy d’Abbans is the Verrazane school. Further along, the Ferber gymnasium shows its curved shape.
The street bends at Rue de l’Oiselière. This leaves Rue du Souvenir straight ahead. Rue du Bourbonnais goes around Square Montel. On the east side is a large house. The Emile Maurin factory is on the other side. It has triangle roofs and uses different materials. In 2023, the Emile Maurin factory was marked for replacement. There were also plans to redevelop the public space around Montel Park.
As we continue, notice the mix of residential and industrial buildings. After Rue Littré, there is a housing block built in 1911 and 1925. On the north side, industrial workshops stretch back from the street. Above the gate at number 66, there is a scene with cherubs.
The street passes under the railway line. It uses a stone archway. On the south side, the Espace Bourbonnais curves around a double road. After the railway bridge are three old houses. They sit at a slight angle.
The Saint Louis clinic used to stand here. It was built in 1958 after tearing down a 16th-century house. The clinic closed in 2012.
Rue du Bourbonnais is not just a street. It is a blend of history, architecture, and memory. It is a testament to Lyon’s ever-evolving story.