Wondering who Pierre Termier was? The Rue Pierre Termier commemorates a man of Lyon. He significantly impacted both geology and mountaineering. Let’s explore the legacy of this remarkable figure.
Rue Pierre Termier begins its journey in Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or near Place de la Tour. It stretches southward marking the boundary between Collonges and Saint-Cyr. The street then enters Lyon at a vast intersection. From there, Chemin de Fontenay à Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or heads north. Rue Falsan extends southwest.
The initial Lyon section of Rue Pierre Termier forms the border between Lyon and Collonges. After Chemin de Rochebozon in Collonges, the street splits. One road continues as a curved automobile route towards the Saône riverbank and Quai Carrié. The other curves more sharply west. It continues along the hillside ending low, opposite Rue des Docteurs Cordier. This is at the railway bridge’s exit.
Its intersection with Rue Falsan marks Lyon’s northernmost point. Looking west, you can spot Mont Cindre. The Saint-Rambert shuttle and bus 31 serve the Rue Pierre Termier.
Architecturally, the first part of Rue Pierre Termier sits on Lyon’s edge. It is also where the city meets the countryside. The west side features apartment blocks with parking. Facades alternate between concrete and window bands. A renovation paints the concrete ochre with light brown shutters. This strikingly improves the buildings’ appearance. Opposite, some villas stand. Others are new and set back along two alleys. Further along is a massive wall with three old houses protruding. The last house marks the corner of Chemin de Rochebozon. This side retains a rural feel. There’s even a small meadow across the road.
West of Vergoin, a flat area has two impressive houses. They lean against a wood at numbers 28 and 30. Number 30 is especially notable for its beautiful gate. Rue Pierre Termier curves around a beautiful flower bed. This marks the separation between the street and the road to the quayside.
Continuing along the hillside, Rue Pierre Termier passes under a stone wall. This supports a wood of tall trees. It overlooks the railway and, in the distance, the Caluire hill across the Saône valley. The wall opens at Rue Porcher. Two old houses stand there. At number 70, the wall opens again with the yellow gate of a retirement home. This seven-story building has brightly painted ironwork.
The street ends amid vegetation. A hedge separates it from the railway cutting. A wood covers the hillside. Outside Lyon, Rue Pierre Termier continues north into Collonges. The walk is pleasant despite the lack of sidewalks. Painted pedestrian figures on the ground resemble chalk outlines each time a car passes. The path winds between stone and pisé walls. To the west, in Saint-Cyr, are some fields. To the east, in Collonges, are housing developments. The road ends in a small Collonges village. There, an incredible house at number 5 has a beautiful tower and painted motifs. A second small corner tower a little further gave its name to the square.
Pierre Termier was born in Lyon on July 3, 1859. His parents lived at 43 Rue René Leynaud. He died in Varces on October 23, 1930. A brilliant student, he topped his class at the École Polytechnique. The school’s website features his photo. It also includes speeches detailing his dual career.
He pursued a career as a geologist and professor at the École des Mines. This led him to become a mountaineer and member of the Alpine Club. His claim to fame is describing the geology of the Alps. He also directed the creation of France’s geological map. A summit in the Galibier massif bears his name. Pierre Termier is also honored by a school on Rue des Alouettes. His student Louis Nelter participated in the first French expedition to the Himalayas in 1936. He died in Lyon on January 23, 1985. Rue Pierre Termier is also Route Départementale 51A. When it was part of Saint-Rambert commune, it was called Route des Rivières. However, Lyon already had a street with that name.
The street was already laid out in the 19th century. A hamlet stood at the junction of the current expressway. The construction of the railway cutting around 1850 dictated the layout of the lower part. The Vergoin complex between Rue Termier and Rue Falsan was built in 1970. Green spaces were developed in the 1990s. The buildings are currently undergoing renovation. The road junction dates from the same period. The retirement home opened on November 22, 1974.
More a road than a true street, Rue Pierre Termier has only one business. It’s a building design firm. So, as you traverse this road, remember Pierre Termier. He was a Lyonnais who left his mark on the world. His name lives on here, etched into the city’s fabric.