Rue Narvik

Opened in the 1960s, Rue Narvik isn’t just a street. It’s the main artery of Lyon’s Mermoz Sud district. This street pulses with life. It tells a story of both a distant battle and the everyday rhythm of a neighborhood. Rue Narvik stretches from Rue de la Moselle eastward to Boulevard Pinel. It’s a straight line, mirrored by a pedestrian walkway. This walkway is shaded by a double row of trees. A counter-alley fronts the long, four-story buildings that line the south side. These buildings have a distinctive design, with round and oblique entrances. After Rue Froment, the architectural style shifts. On the north side, Rue Narvik begins alongside the blue-painted wall of Ecole Pasteur, adorned with playful figurines. Elongated buildings in similar hues stand beyond. Past Rue Tixier, the north side also features a four-story building. A newer, taller structure curves around Place Latarget. After the square, Rue Narvik concludes in a wide curve, bordering a grassy, tree-filled area. The name “Narvik” commemorates a 1940 battle in a Norwegian town 3,000 kilometers north of Lyon. The battle was fought for control of a vital ice-free port above the Arctic Circle. The French army participated in this struggle. In 2019, the city announced renovations for the area. The Mail Narvik was slated to become a garden with a children’s play area. At the corner of Rue Cotte, a striking artwork by Claude Gazier (1997) catches the eye. This mosaic reimagines the Lumière brothers’ “L’Arroseur Arrosé,” reflected on a large stainless steel cylinder. Rue Narvik is home to several organizations, including Agence 8e with a portrait of Jean Mermoz and a Maison du Rhône. It also houses Ecole Maternelle Pasteur. On Saturday mornings, a market fills the street. Benches offer resting spots in front of the school and along the promenade.