Rue Nicolas Sicard

Descending before us, Rue Nicolas Sicard unfolds. This street, nestled in Lyon, bears the name of a remarkable painter. Nicolas Sicard, born in Lyon in 1846, left an indelible mark on the city’s artistic landscape. Rue Nicolas Sicard begins its descent opposite 53 Rue Joliot Curie and gracefully ends at Avenue de Ménival. The street’s character transforms as you stroll along it, starting narrow and gradually widening towards its lower end. Interestingly, Rue Nicolas Sicard isn’t just a thoroughfare; it’s a vibrant tapestry of history and architecture. The north side of the street is a captivating mix of building styles. The upper part features an alignment of four houses, their heights varying from one to two stories. Some of these structures whisper tales of bygone eras. Further down, a small impasse on the north side leads to a gate belonging to the vast Espace de l’Ouest Lyonnais. A charming old corner house stands proudly nearby, its presence adding to the street’s unique charm. A pebble wall made of Rhône stones, adorned with an old studded door and a magnificent gate at number 4, enhances the historical ambiance. Behind this gate, a beautiful house reveals itself, a sight best appreciated from the second impasse. This second impasse branches off in two directions. One leads back to the Espace de l’Ouest Lyonnais. The other leads northwards, serving a double house and the vibrantly colored Maison d’Hestia. The wooded hillside rises majestically behind, reaching towards a boundary wall. Before the street meets Avenue de Ménival at number 40, a modern residential complex stands tall. Comprising four four-story buildings, this complex is accessed through a large archway that extends towards the impasse. The south side of Rue Nicolas Sicard is bordered by the wall of Parc de Ménival. Glimpses of the park’s basketball court and trees can be seen through the foliage. At the top of Rue Nicolas Sicard, a staircase provides a convenient route back to Rue Joliot Curie. Nicolas Sicard, the street’s namesake, resided at 119 Chemin de l’Etoile d’Alaï. In 2023, a plaque was placed on the wall of the Villa les Iris at 37 Rue Joliot Curie, commemorating his life and work. His paintings grace the walls of the Préfecture du Rhône. His masterpiece, “Entrance to the Guillotière Bridge,” can be admired at the Musée des Beaux-Arts. From 1894 to 1918, he served as the esteemed director of the École des Beaux-Arts. Rue Nicolas Sicard, therefore, stands not only as a pathway but as a testament to a prominent figure in Lyon’s artistic heritage.