“Sons and Odors of the Rue Dumont.” Does that pique your interest? This is a slice of life from Lyon’s Croix-Rousse district. Today, we’re exploring Rue Dumont. It’s a street with a history tied to Lyon’s silk weaving past and some interesting personalities.
Rue Dumont is located in the 4th arrondissement. It sits in the quarter of La Croix-Rousse. The street starts on Rue du Mail. It crosses Rue du Pavillon and Rue de Belfort. Finally, it ends on Rue Dumont-d’Urville. For getting around, the C metro line and a Vélo’v station are nearby.
Back in the early 1800s, Pierre-Gabriel Dumenge owned land here. He gave some land to the city. This helped align the street. In 1812, he built Clos Dumenge on a two-acre field. These were building-workshops designed for weavers. These canuts needed bright, high spaces for their looms. Dumenge named one of the streets after himself. This was approved by the municipal council in 1817.
Rue Dumenge wasn’t always its name. It was briefly called Rue Sainte-Rose. Then, in 1849, it was renamed Rue de l’Émancipation. A year later, it became Rue de la Démocratie. But in 1851, it went back to its original name. Finally, in 1891, Rue Sainte-Rose became part of Rue Dumenge. Look for the weaving shuttle on the gate at No. 10. It’s a reminder of the street’s weaving history.
Did you know that Adèle Bouvier was born at No. 2 Rue Dumenge? She was Nicolas Sarkozy’s grandmother. She was born on March 5, 1891.
The architecture on Rue Dumont is interesting. On the southern side, there’s a beautiful stone archway. Past Rue du Pavillon, you’ll spot a small one-story house. There is also a workshop with balustrades, stairs, and a glass roof. The northern side features residential buildings. These facades are mainly canut-styled. The street ends with small houses. At the corner of Rue Dumont-d’Urville, find a little man in a niche.
Rue Dumont has a mix of businesses and associations. There are a few restaurants. Several associations focus on the environment. These include Greenpeace France and Ecologist magazine S!lence.
The street has been urbanized since the 19th century. Rue Dumont also has some more recent history. In 2018, a woman named Jessica Astorga was found dead on the sidewalk. Her husband was accused of throwing her out the window.
Today, Rue Dumont is known for its decoration shops. One even includes a perfumery. The scents of incense drift into the street. You can find a music shop and repair store. Look for the sculptures displayed in a window at No. 20. Rue Dumont is also home to various artisans and professionals. These include plumbers, carpenters, architects, and osteopaths.
Rue Dumont has seen its share of history and change. It’s a street where the past and present intertwine. As we leave Rue Dumont, remember the weavers. Remember the scents and sounds. Remember the people who have called this street home. It’s a small street with a big story.