Perhaps you’ve never considered that Lyon’s streets have stories etched into their very names. Today we find ourselves on Rue Guilloud. It is a street that whispers tales of a city’s past. It also hints at transformations that have shaped its present.
Rue Guilloud begins facing a parking area off Rue Rossan. The street runs eastward. It extends until it meets Rue Rebatel. The road ascends slightly towards its end. Rue Guilloud stands as the first street north of Cours Albert Thomas.
Let’s talk about the architecture of Rue Guilloud. The north side is an alignment of newer buildings. Most are long structures. They feature four to six stories. Their facades are rather elaborate. At number 11 the entrance is sheltered by a pointed glass roof. It stretches both horizontally and vertically.
The south side presents a different picture. The alignment begins past Rue des Tuiliers. Facades here are more subdued. Before this, the small building at number 10 follows three large individual houses. It precedes a warehouse.
West of Rue Villon the residences become older. They are reminiscent of the 20th century. The building at 20ter is dated 1957. These buildings are set back. They have parks with tall trees. Some have parking areas. Others stand sideways. They rise to eight stories. One building retains a curious gazebo at the corner of Rue Sisley.
The street widens after Rue Koehler. The two stories of the Dargent school are built below street level. They are set back on the south side. A large two-story house at number 37 remains. It stands as a testament to an earlier time. Just before Rue Rebatel a gap offers a view. It reveals the rooftops of the Château Lumière.
Antoine Jacques Guilloud lends his name to this street. He was born in Lyon on January 17, 1796. His birthplace was Rue de la Monnaie. He died on December 16, 1852. At that time he lived on Rue de Montbrillant. He served as the last mayor of La Guillotière. His term lasted from 1851 to 1852. He was also the mayor of the third arrondissement.
Like its neighboring streets Rue Guilloud was divided into lots. This occurred a few years after the sale of the Domaine des Tournelles in 1827. A plaque stands at the corner of Rue Koehler. It marks the spot. Julien Solonczyk and Pierre Katz died here. They were members of the FTPF. The Vichy police killed them on June 1, 1944. The late 20th century shaped the street’s current appearance. It could extend eastward. Only a few garages separate it from Rue du Palais d’Été.
Rue Guilloud houses a variety of establishments. These include a daycare center. There is also a residence for the elderly. Additionally, there is an interior design company. Two office buildings stand at numbers 11 and 12bis.
Today as we stand on Rue Guilloud let us appreciate its layers of history. From its namesake’s civic service to its architectural evolution this street encapsulates Lyon’s dynamic spirit.