“A street numbered backwards?” That’s right. Here we are on Rue Thénard. This street is full of surprises. Let’s explore its story.
Rue Thénard begins at Avenue Paul Santy. It stretches north to Avenue Général Frère. Notice something peculiar? The numbering goes from south to north. It’s opposite to most streets.
Rue Thénard took shape around the mid-20th century. The houses you see likely date back to the 1950s. They have remained largely unchanged since then. As you can see, simple individual homes line the street. Many have only one story. On the east side, houses sit back from the street. Small gardens and gates adorn their fronts. The houses on the west side are set back further.
Take a look at number 17. An alley leads to two small buildings. They’re set back from the main street. Approaching the north end, some houses appear larger. The east side ends with a small two-story building. It features prominent balconies.
If you look toward the east side, you can spot more houses. On the west, you’ll see the wall and buildings of Grignard college. But who was Thénard? The street bears his name.
Baron Thénard was an early shareholder. He invested in the first Lyon to Saint Étienne railway. It’s unlikely this is why the street was named after him though. It would be more than a century later.
Here’s a different story. According to a local resident, Thénard was a market gardener. He sold land on the south side near the impasse around 1965. His house stood on the left corner of Avenue Général Frère.
So, the street’s namesake might be a local figure after all. Not a baron of the railway. Rue Thénard may be a tribute to a man who once cultivated this land.
As we conclude our walk on Rue Thénard, consider its dual identity. Is it named for a railway baron? Or a local gardener? Perhaps the true story lies somewhere in between, but either way Rue Thénard offers a quiet glimpse into Lyon’s past, a blend of simple homes and local history that continues to charm those who pass through.