Rue Jonas Salk

Amidst the modern architecture of Lyon, Rue Jonas Salk stretches southward from Place Mérieux. This isn’t just any street. Rue Jonas Salk is relatively new to Lyon, a product of the 21st century, with some construction still ongoing. The street’s namesake, Jonas Salk, was a brilliant virologist born in New York in 1914. While Salk might not have physically walked this street, his presence is deeply felt. He developed the polio vaccine, a feat that crowned a career dedicated to combating infectious diseases. His legacy extends to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California. Interestingly, Salk collaborated with Lyon researchers Pierre Lépine and Charles Mérieux on vaccine research. Mérieux was even present at the inauguration of a plaque commemorating Salk in Lyon, located at 8 Rue Pasteur. The laboratories of Mérieux and Salk worked together on producing the vaccines that ultimately eradicated polio. Rue Jonas Salk itself is a blend of old and new. The east side boasts sleek, angular buildings backing onto Avenue Tony Garnier. The west side begins with a charming house, complete with a prominent overhanging roof structure and a gate that slightly obstructs Rue Riboulet. Further down the street, you’ll find modern grey cubes with large glass windows, contrasting with the green roof of the nearby international lycée. The street also features a pleasant promenade with bushes, stone benches, and young trees, offering a peaceful respite from the city’s hustle. You’ll find more than just residences here. Several buildings on Rue Jonas Salk belong to the Institut Pasteur, where, fittingly, vaccines are produced. The Maison Départementale et Métropolitaine des Personnes Handicapées also calls this street home, providing support and resources to those with disabilities. And, for a taste of modern French cuisine, the Restaurant La Maison, at 4 Rue Jonas Salk, offers a stylish dining experience in a renovated bourgeois house. Rue Jonas Salk may be a young street, but its story is rich, reflecting both Lyon’s history and its contributions to global health.