In late 18th century, Lyon suffocates within its historic walls. Antoine-Michel Perrache, an engineer and developer has the idea of extending the Peninsula 2 miles to the south, gaining 400 acres from the 2 rivers.
Industry revolutionized the 19th century, which glorified, among other things, the railroad. A railway station is built with great enthusiasm but the difference in elevation between the two rivers meant that the tracks had to be laid on high arches. The result? The station becomes a barrier that hinders Perrache’s project to extend the city center.
From then on, the people of Lyon turned their backs on this neighborhood “beyond the arches.” With a bad reputation, it was relegated to everything the city didn’t want: prisons, slaughterhouses, polluting industries, an industrial port, a marshalling yard and to crown it all prostitution… It wasn’t until Raymond Barre came along in 2000 as the mayor that the project was revived. What a challenge: acres of industrial wasteland to be transformed into a showcase for the city of the 21st century, built with a focus on high environmental quality and civic diversity. This project, one of the largest in Europe, is divided into four major phases. Today, the last phase is almost complete.
This walk “beyond the arches,” in a neighborhood that has become very trendy, the place to be, allows you to understand how Confluence is divided into four areas dedicated respectively to commerce, services, leisure, and culture. It’s a great place to live, between gardens and buildings with stunning architecture. A change of scenery guaranteed!
