At 4.1 kilometers long, Avenue Jean Jaurès is officially the longest street in Lyon. It begins in the north at Cours Gambetta and goes straight down to Gerland, finishing at Henry-Chabert Park. A true backbone of the 7th arrondissement, it divides the neighborhood in two and is named after the famous French politician Jean Jaurès, who was assassinated in Paris in 1914.
A thoroughfare built between the 19th and 20th centuries
The story of Avenue Jean Jaurès also tells of the development of southern Lyon. The northern part, near Jean Macé, was established at the end of the 19th century, while the southern extension towards Gerland was built in the early 20th century. Today, the avenue is not just a road but also a symbol of the vibrancy of the 7th, a neighborhood in constant transformation.
Metro B, a trusty travel buddy
The route of Avenue Jean Jaurès is closely tied to that of Metro B. The underground line follows a large part of its journey with iconic stops: Saxe-Gambetta, Jean Macé, Place Jean-Jaurès, Debourg, and Stade de Gerland. As a result, this avenue is one of the busiest in Lyon, connecting shops, residences, schools, and cultural hubs.
Garibaldi, Créqui, Duguesclin... the other marathon streets of Lyon
While Jean Jaurès holds the gold medal for the longest streets in Lyon, other thoroughfares are not far behind. Rue Garibaldi stretches 3.8 kilometers, crossing...three districts and passing through Part-Dieu. Créqui Street, 3 kilometers long, connects the 6th to the 7th district. As for Duguesclin Street, its 2.8 kilometers also allow it to compete, all while boasting an impressive width of 16 meters.
Source : Actu Lyon