Lyon, France – A fascinating journey back in time to Lyon in 1955 has been presented through an extensive photo archive by the local newspaper, Le Progrès. The collection highlights a city that, while undergoing significant transformations, experienced a distinctly different pace of life, particularly concerning urban mobility and development.
A City Without Traffic Jams: The 1955 Reality
One of the most striking aspects revealed by the archives is the relative absence of traffic congestion that plagues modern Lyon. Photographs from November 1955, depicting streets flooded by heavy rains, show traffic density that was still considered ‘reasonable’ by contemporary standards. This contrasts sharply with today’s urban challenges, offering a nostalgic look at a less-congested past.
Parking in the Heart of Lyon: A Different Era
The images also illustrate the ease of parking in central Lyon. In 1955, it was common to park directly in front of the Bartholdi fountain in Place des Terreaux, a practice unimaginable today, where parking is relegated to underground facilities. Similarly, finding a parking spot in Place des Jacobins in November 1955 was not yet a complicated affair, underscoring the shift in urban planning and vehicle density over the decades.
Major Infrastructure and Urban Development
The year 1955 was a period of significant construction and modernization for Lyon and its surrounding regions. Several key projects were underway:
- Cours Emile Zola Extension: Work was in progress on the extension of Cours Emile Zola in Villeurbanne, particularly towards the peripheral road, near Rue Pasteur and Rue du 4 août 1789.
- Pont de Lattre-de-Tassigny Construction: In Lyon, the construction of the Pont de Lattre-de-Tassigny was a major urban undertaking, reshaping the city’s river crossings.
- Grangent Dam Construction: In the Loire region, the construction of the Grangent dam in Saint-Victor-sur-Loire began in 1955. This ambitious project, which would become operational in 1958, aimed to meet the electricity demands of the highly industrialized Saint-Étienne agglomeration, necessitating the flooding of hamlets and the Loire gorges.
- HLM Housing Development: New HLM (Habitations à Loyer Modéré) housing units were being built along the Route de Genève in Crépieux-La-Pape, a commune that has since merged with Rillieux, indicating a focus on expanding residential areas.
Modernization of the SNCF Network
The French national railway company, SNCF, was also in a phase of modernization. December 1955 saw the inauguration of the electrification of the Bellegarde-Culoz section, a crucial step in improving rail transport efficiency in the region.
Cultural and Social Life in 1955
Beyond infrastructure, the archives also capture glimpses of the cultural and social fabric of Lyon in 1955:
- Television Broadcasts: The year marked a significant moment in medical history with Professor Santy performing a cardiac surgical operation in Lyon that was broadcast on television on November 25, 1955, showcasing the burgeoning influence of this new medium.
- Zoo de la Tête d’Or: The city’s zoo welcomed new residents, including pumas, in November 1955, adding to its attractions.
- Prestigious Jazz Visits: Lyon was a stop for renowned jazz musicians. Sidney Bechet, the American clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer, visited Lyon in November 1955. Later that month, jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong also arrived at Perrache station, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd, highlighting Lyon’s appreciation for international music.
- Christmas Eve Transmitter Activation: On Christmas Eve 1955, the Crêt de l’Œillon transmitter in Pilat became operational, significantly expanding television and radio signal reception across a wide area, from Mâcon to Valence and Chambéry to Clermont-Ferrand.
- Everyday Life: Images also portray everyday scenes, such as a telegraph operator at the PTT offices in Lyon diligently typing a telegram, an early form of rapid communication, and a rat extermination operation on Rue Ferdinand Buisson in October 1955, reflecting public health efforts.
Industrial Activity and Local Craftsmanship
The industrial landscape of the region was also vibrant. An impressive press was shown manufacturing toys in a Givors factory. In Paray-Le-Monial, a tile factory was producing fibrocement panels, which would become ubiquitous on agricultural hangars for decades. Another factory in Paray was dedicated to manufacturing frameworks and coverings, while an evocative portrait captured an elderly artisan, emphasizing the importance of skilled craftsmanship.
Challenges and Incidents
Despite the generally positive developments, 1955 also saw its share of incidents. A Traction Avant car was involved in an accident on the Montée de Soldats in Caluire-et-Cuire, a suburb of Lyon. Furthermore, on October 14, 1955, a train derailed on the bridge spanning Rue Challemel-Lacour in the 7th arrondissement of Lyon, fortunately without further serious consequences.
The archival collection from Le Progrès offers a rich tapestry of life in Lyon during 1955, illustrating a period of urban growth, technological advancement, and cultural vibrancy, all within a city much less burdened by the modern challenges of congestion.
Source: https://www.leprogres.fr/societe/2026/06/07/une-ville-sans-embouteillage-vous-rappelez-vous-de-lyon-en-1955
