Avenue Jean-Jaurès is a major avenue in Lyon and one of the city’s longest streets. It forms the main artery of the 7th arrondissement, running from cours Gambetta to parc Henry-Chabert quai Fillon. Its route is served from north to south by Lyon Metro Line B stations, including Saxe-Gambetta, Jean Macé, Place Jean-Jaurès, Debourg, and Stade de Gerland. The avenue’s numbering runs from 1 to 151.

Its development took place in stages. The extension of avenue de Saxe was declared of public utility in 1864, based on a plan by chief engineer Deleruel, with the aim of connecting les Brotteaux and la Guillotière. Approved in 1865 and completed in 1892, it first bore the name avenue de Saxe prolongée and later avenue de Saxe until 1914, when it was renamed avenue Jean Jaurès by municipal council decision. The northern part, above place Jean-Macé, dates from the late 19th century, while the southern part was built in the early 20th century. The avenue was also extended in 1908 as the main street of the Gerland district with an industrial purpose, and construction continued beyond the vaults from 1910 to 1924 to reach the stadium.

◎ Nearby Objects

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  Place Jean-Jaurès 650 m away
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  Fort de la Vitriolerie 900 m away
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  Halle Tony Garnier 1000 m away
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  P4 Laboratory - Jean Merieux 1200 m away
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  Gare de Lyon-Guillotière 1200 m away

Route, extent, and urban role

Avenue Jean-Jaures runs from cours Gambetta to parc Henry-Chabert quai Fillon and is described as one of the longest avenues in Lyon, although its exact length is not specified. Its numbering extends from 1 to 151. North of cours Gambetta, it continues with avenue du Marechal-de-Saxe, and it also passes through an unspecified location after cours Gambetta. The avenue is the main artery of Lyons 7th arrondissement. Its northern part, north of place Jean-Mace, dates from the late 19th century, while the southern part was built in the early 20th century. The avenue is served from north to south by Lyon Metro Line B, with stations including Saxe-Gambetta, Jean Mace, Place Jean-Jaures, Debourg, and Stade de Gerland. This transport connection reinforces its role as a major urban axis across the district.

History of the Avenue and Its Renaming

The extension of avenue de Saxe was declared of public utility in 1864, on the basis of a plan by chief engineer Deleruel. It was intended to connect les Brotteaux and la Guillotiere. Approved in 1865, the project was completed in 1892. The avenue was first known as avenue de Saxe prolongee, then as avenue de Saxe until 1914, when the municipal council decided to name it Jean Jaures. In 1908, avenue Jean-Jaures was also extended as the main street of the Gerland district, with an industrial purpose. Construction continued beyond the vaults from 1910 to 1924 in order to reach the stadium. The street was renamed avenue Marechal-Lyautey from 1941 to 1944, by order of the Prefect, to remove public street names recalling Jean Jaures.