“Ever wonder what stories lie hidden within Lyon’s 8th arrondissement?” That’s Rue Pierre Delore. It is more than just a street. It’s a journey through time.
Rue Pierre Delore begins near the Route de Vienne after the railway bridge. It ends at the junction of Rue Cazeneuve and Rue Barbusse. From there it continues as Avenue de Pressensé. Once, this street was known as the Chemin de Marennes or Route de Vénissieux. It also served as Route Départementale 57.
Let’s talk about the architecture. The north side of Rue Pierre Delore runs alongside the cemetery wall. Look for a triumphal arch and a large gate. They offer glimpses of a beautiful slate dome within the cemetery. The sidewalk here forms a small promenade. Trees separate it from the road and parked cars. On the opposite side houses align, appearing oblique when viewed from the Route de Vienne. Number 18 stands out with its round openings and garden. Further along you’ll see buildings and two houses extending to Rue Saint Vincent de Paul.
After Rue Audibert, Rue Pierre Delore features continuous construction on both sides. On the south side, observe the curious concrete bar on stilts at number 74. Across the street you’ll find houses, workshops, and buildings. The building before Rue Villon is distinctive. It has two caps above gray vertical lines.
Take a look at number 86. Its door features gilding and coats of arms with lions below rounded balconies. An inscription reads Route de Vénissieux. Its second perpendicular facade creates a wide dead end. This ends at a garden and workshop. A small building is being constructed. This will make the dead end permanent. In 2022, construction at the rear revealed the Dumont stadium.
West of number 94, near Rue des Jasmins, older roadside houses stand one story high. Further along, past Rue Garon Duret, the houses become more individualized. On the east side, the alignment concludes with a staircase. This starts with the four stories of number 71. It finishes with a small story above a business at the corner of Rue Cazeneuve.
The street and its extension, Rue de Pressensé, existed before the French Revolution. It was a road that crossed Vénissieux. It led to the village of Marennes. The new Guillotière cemetery was established in the mid 19th century. It was built on the Combe Blanche estate.
Now, let’s honor Pierre Delore himself. He was born in Lyon on September 27, 1896. His birthplace was 147 Avenue de Saxe. He died in Lyon on June 30, 1960. At that time he lived at 13 Rue Jarente. He was a professor of therapeutic hygiene and climatology. He taught at the Faculty of Medicine. After the war, he helped organize gerontology studies. He founded the journal “La santé de l’homme”. Before him Xavier Delore was a surgeon. He advanced gastric surgery and taught Paul Santy.
Rue Pierre Delore stands as a testament to Lyon’s rich history. It is a blend of architecture and dedication. This street honors a man who contributed significantly to medicine and public health. As you walk along Rue Pierre Delore remember the layers of history beneath your feet.