Perhaps Sainte Geneviève herself smiles down upon this street today. Here on Rue Sainte-Geneviève, history intertwines with the everyday. It creates a unique tapestry. This street in Lyon whispers stories of faith and resilience.
Rue Sainte-Geneviève stretches from Rue Jules Vallès in Villeurbanne. It enters Lyon after Rue Jean Broquin. The street ends at Cours Lafayette, opposite number 254. It is a vital artery connecting different parts of the city.
Let’s talk about Sainte Geneviève herself. She was born in Nanterre around 420 and died in 500. Sainte Geneviève lived in Paris. She dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick. She bolstered the spirits of Parisians against attacks. These attacks came from the Huns and the Franks. She was also a friend of Sainte Clotilde.
The street’s name honors Sainte Geneviève. It comes from a chapel dedicated to her. Her name is also echoed in the nearby Rue des Génovéfains. Rue Sainte-Geneviève was once known as the ordinary vicinal road number 136.
The story of Rue Sainte-Geneviève began around 1880 with its opening. Imagine Lyon in that era. The city was expanding and modernizing. New streets were laid out to accommodate growth.
Look around at the architecture. At the beginning of Rue Sainte-Geneviève, you will see tall concrete buildings. They are followed by two tree-filled gardens. In the garden on the east side, there is a small church. It has arched windows. The church’s bell tower is striking. It features a square section. At the top is a rounded dome. The dome is painted in white and sky blue with stars. Above the door, there is a portrait of a patriarch.
The intersection with Petite Rue de la Viabert and Rue de la Gaîté forms a square. Today, it mainly serves as a parking lot. Further along, the street runs straight. Buildings constructed from the early 20th century line the street. These buildings are not very tall. They have two to four floors.
At number 21, you will see the Soieries Bord. It has a large black iron door. Its floors are higher than those of the residential buildings. Opposite it, the house at number 20 has an original design. It is set back a few meters from the street. The entrance is under a columned balcony. The house is signed Eyrard and dated 1931.
The buildings along Rue Sainte-Geneviève are not heavily decorated. However, you can spot wooden doors and iron window decorations. For example, at number 26, there is an elongated two-story house. The second floor is covered in zinc. It has a double recessed entrance held up by a pillar. Some new buildings at numbers 34 and 36 echo the volumes. They even mirror the zinc covering of older structures.
Past Rue Germain, the final alignment changes. On the east side, the immense flank of the HCL rises with its vertical lines. On the west side, there are two long factories. At number 50, you can see large mullioned windows. At number 58, a long warehouse stands with a porch. The porch provides access to a courtyard.
The street opens onto Cours Lafayette. This opening is framed by four small old houses. They surround a garage front converted into a supermarket.
Claude Givaudan was an early motorcycle manufacturer. He established his business at number 40 in 1902. Before him, Alfred Lambrecht won the Lyon-Uriage motorcycle race. He rode a motorcycle that he built in Lyon.
The Russian Orthodox parish of Saint Nicholas is located on Rue Sainte-Geneviève. The church was built from 1938 to 1946. This Orthodox parish honors Saint Nicholas of Myra. It also honors the martyrs Blandine and Pothin.
Today, Rue Sainte-Geneviève is a mix of commerce and community. You can find a supermarket, a hairdresser, two restaurants, and a medical office. You might even find yourself using an old map of Lyon to navigate.
Rue Sainte-Geneviève, a place where the echoes of the past resonate. They blend seamlessly with the rhythms of modern life.