Rue Pernon

Camille Pernon. A name synonymous with Lyonnaise silk. Here on Rue Pernon, his legacy is woven into the very fabric of the street. Rue Pernon isn’t just a street. It’s a testament to the artistry and resilience of a family who shaped Lyon’s silk industry for generations. Camille, born in 1753, became a renowned silk artist, his works displayed even today at the Musée des Tissus. His family’s silk manufacturing legacy, started by his great-great-grandfather Louis in 1680, continues under the name Tassinari et Chatel. They furnish luxury chateaux and hotels. But the Pernon family story isn’t just about silk. During the Reign of Terror, Camille’s father Etienne, was imprisoned after a simple act: drinking from the Chemin Neuf fountain. He was accused of allowing prominent figures of the old regime into his workshop. Later, he became a supplier to Napoleon. He was involved in a dyeing scandal in 1807. The street itself, Rue Pernon, tells a story of transformation. The modern architecture of the 1960s, with its large apartment buildings, replaced a quieter past, even erasing the Allée Ringuet, which existed from 1922 to 1967. Today, Rue Pernon is a vibrant mix of old and new. The modern Centre Social Croix-Rousse Pernon stands alongside remnants of the past. It offers a hub for the community, bustling with activities. It echoes the enduring spirit of the Pernon family, whose influence continues to thread through the history of Lyon.