A curious detail. Rue Grataloup. It’s named after a notorious figure. Pierre Grataloup. A fearsome bandit leader. He terrorized the Monts du Lyonnais. Until his capture and execution in 1800. Right there in Lyon’s Place des Terreaux.
Rue Grataloup itself is a relatively recent addition to Lyon’s streetscape. Built towards the end of the 19th century. It connects Place Tabareau to Rue Denfert Rochereau. Traffic flows towards Place Tabareau.
The north side boasts three modern six-story buildings. The tallest has mirrored windows. Another one dates back to 1994. Its floors and shutters are paired. In 2007 an impressive building site revealed the concrete structures at the back. The third building curves onto Rue Denfert and dates from 1959. Quite a mix of architectural styles.
The south side presents a different picture. A less uniform and less recent look. It has an older building followed by a workshop. Number 5 is a large house. It’s separated from its neighbors by a garage and a small alley. This building is noteworthy. It’s symmetrical around a two-story staircase with a distinctive capital. The final building at numbers 7 and 9 is made of concrete. It has black iron doors. Three sections curiously offset the downward slope.
Abbe Vachet noted an interesting fact. Grataloup himself still lived at number 6 on his namesake street. At least he did when Abbe Vachet wrote his book in the early 20th century. A rather unusual coincidence. A lasting legacy for a notorious figure.
Today Rue Grataloup is mainly residential. It’s quiet. No bustling shops or businesses here. Just apartments and garages. But think of its history. A quiet street that carries the name of a notorious bandit. A street that quietly tells the story of Lyon’s past. A reminder of a time when life was less peaceful.