Dreaming of grand boulevards and social progress? Then you are standing in the right place. This is Rue Félix Mangini in Lyon.
Rue Félix Mangini begins at Rue Marcuit. It separates from Rue des Docks to the north. It ends at Rue Joannès Carret facing Rue Bouquet.
This street is named for Félix Mangini. He was a pioneer of social housing. The street was dedicated to him on January 21 2013. He is honored with his brother Lucien Mangini.
Félix was born in Lyon in 1836. He died in 1902. He is buried in Saint Pierre la Palud. He was mayor of that city.
In 1886 Félix founded the Société des Logements Économiques. This is the Society for Affordable Housing. He built eight buildings in La Mouche. Félix participated in founding the SEPR. He also helped create the Société d’Alimentation.
He directed the Chemins de Fer de la Dombes. That is the Dombes Railway. He built the Montbrison line starting from Gare Saint Paul. Félix was a general councillor. He was a member of Lyon’s Chamber of Commerce. Not many know that Félix founded the first sanatorium in France. It was in Hauteville in 1900. In 1865 Félix lived at 2 Rue Saint Joseph.
His brother Louis was called Lucien. He was born in Lyon in 1833. Lucien died in Les Halles in 1900. You can still admire his castle in the Monts du Lyonnais. He was a deputy then a senator.
The Mangini brothers founded the locomotive factories of La Buire. Their father Lazare dug the Mulatière tunnel. Do not confuse this street with Rue Massimi in Gerland.
Rue Félix Mangini opened in the 2010s. It was built on old industrial land. The northern part of the street follows part of the old Rue Joannès Carret. In 2017 some buildings were active. Most were construction or renovation sites.
Excavations took place at 21 Rue Joannès Carret. They also happened at 46 Quai Sedallian. Near the quai traces of occupations were found. They dated back to 6600 BC. There was metalworking during protohistory. A rural settlement existed during antiquity. It was abandoned around 400 AD. New activity occurred in the 19th century. Details are on Lyon’s archaeological website.
Construction continued through late 2018. It finished in 2021. That included Îlot 8 Vaise. This occupies the northern tip of Rue Lafoy. There are no known art groups or associations on Rue Mangini.
Today you can find a hotel on Rue Félix Mangini. There is also a restaurant. An insurance company is here. Six companies are at number 18.
So, as you leave Rue Félix Mangini remember Félix Mangini. He was a man of vision. He helped build Lyon.