“Want to discover where photography’s roots intertwine with Lyon’s spirit? Then look no further than Rue Niepce. This street isn’t named after Nicéphore Niepce himself, the inventor of photography. Instead, it honors his nephew, Léopold Niepce. Léopold was a distinguished historian of Lyon.
Rue Niepce is split into three distinct sections. The first part starts as a straight line. It extends from Rue Hénon on the Croix Rousse plateau. This initial stretch begins at the intersection of Rue Chazière. The street then transforms into a staircase. These stairs descend the hillside. Sadly, a gate now blocks this section. It was closed in November 2000 due to safety concerns. Imagine the view from those steps. You could see the Saône River and the Duchère district. The Lyonnais mountains would peek out from behind them.
The staircase ends just above the Saône. Here, a second gate marks the entrance to Rue d’Ypres. The upper part of Rue Niepce has unique architecture. The south side features small houses. They stand behind low walls with little gardens. On the north side, a residence’s gate and wall shield a large park. The residences are far below. You can spot a staircase disappearing into the woods. Vegetation covers it. The short, flat lower section is bordered by old houses facing the river. The house on the north side is quite charming.
Léopold Niepce, the street’s namesake, was born in 1813 and died in Lyon in 1898. At the time of his death, he lived at 6 Rue d’Auvergne. He significantly contributed to Lyon’s historical understanding. Léopold published “Lyon Militaire,” a work on the city’s military history. He also wrote about Lyon’s libraries. Léopold was a president of a literary society. He served as a counselor at the Court of Appeal. In 1874, he proposed a historical museum for Lyon. This vision later materialized as the Gadagne Museum. He also wrote a book about Île Barbe and Saint Rambert. It is still used for historical markers in that area.
Even after the 20th century began, the area around Rue Niepce retained a rural feel. The street was laid out later. Rue Niepce has seen its share of dark moments. In 1993, the body of 17-year-old Murielle Théron was found here. As of 2015, police were still seeking the culprit. Today, Rue Niepce is primarily residential. A once-beautiful promenade is temporarily lost.
So, as we stand here on Rue Niepce, let’s appreciate not just the legacy of photography. Let’s honor a man who helped preserve Lyon’s rich history. It is a history still unfolding with every step we take.”