Gone are the days of Mermoz as just a pitstop, stuck between the ring road and bus lines. With a lot of concrete, bulldozers, and above all, ambition, the 8th district of Lyon is rewriting its urban story. The goal is clear: transform Mermoz-Sud into a true destination neighborhood. Not just a place where you park your car or hop on the tram.
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© Hérault Arnod architectures
1,200 housing units, two schools, and a cultural and sports center
Under the guidance of the Métropole de Lyon and the ANRU, the neighborhood is getting a fabulous makeover over 14 hectares with a simple philosophy: more life, more greenery, and more diversity. The plan includes 1,200 housing units, half of which will be social housing, along with student residences and properties for sale. Everything is designed to create a real urban melting pot where families, students, young professionals, and long-time residents can all come together.
When it comes to developments, it's a big transformation! The Narvik walkway will become a 400-meter green promenade, dotted with playgrounds for kids and peaceful nooks to chill out. The Latarjet square, on the other hand, is designed to be a beating heart: a marketplace, shops, events… a vibrant spot from morning till night. And that's not all! Two brand-new schools and a social, cultural, and sports hub of 2,750 m² will rise by 2027.
© Hérault Arnod architectures
A similar ambition for the États-Unis district
Even traffic is shifting into slow mode. Calm roads, speed limits of 20 km/h, and rethought traffic flow... everything is designed to ease the traffic and return the neighborhood to pedestrians. A real transformation is underway, contrasting with the years when Mermoz was synonymous with anonymity. What’s next? Achieving the same feat in the États-Unis district, where expectations are just as high. In the meantime, Mermoz-Sud is paving the way for a future that looks truly promising.
