Marvelous Montgolfier a street named for pioneers. Rue Montgolfier in Lyon’s 6th arrondissement holds a piece of history. It honors the Montgolfier brothers. They were famous for their hot air balloons.
Their first manned flight soared over Lyon’s Brotteaux plain. This was on January 19 1784. The balloon journey began opposite the Hotel Dieu. It eventually landed at Charpennes. The year before they’d launched a balloon at Annonay. This flight carried animals. Later they launched another balloon at Versailles for the King.
A second balloon launched from the Rotonde on June 4 1784. This flight included Madame Tible a Lyonnaise. She became the first woman to take to the skies in a hot air balloon. The balloon travelled as far as La Duchere.
Joseph Montgolfier born in Vidalon-les-Annonay in 1740 died in Balaruc-les-Bains in 1810. Etienne Montgolfier his brother was born in 1745 in Vidalon-les-Annonay. He died in Serrieres in 1799.
Michel Joseph de Montgolfier presented his project to the Lyon Academy on September 23 1783. This was after his initial prototype flight at Annonay. He also invented Joseph paper. Later he studied parachutes. The Montgolfier brothers managed their family’s paper mills. They even developed the hydraulic ram. A Charles Boily engraving shows Gustave’s hot air balloon in Lyon’s sky on June 4 1784.
Rue Montgolfier itself appears on the Morand plan. It was built at the start of the 19th century. It originally extended to Rue Duguesclin. Construction was completed around 1850. It was initially named Rue Pichegru. Building continued until the late 19th century. West to east construction was observed. The street has seen significant modernization in the latter half of the 20th century. Modernization is still ongoing. A site at the corner of Rue Duguesclin remains under construction.
Today Rue Montgolfier stands as a tribute. This street honors these inventive brothers. Their legacy lives on in the name of this Lyon street. Their balloon flights marked a turning point in history. The street itself reflects Lyon’s evolution over time. It blends old and new structures. It also shows the continuous development of this impressive city.