Friday, May 3, 2019

Lyon Confluence


Jardin d'Erevan


Jardin Aquatique Ouagadougou

Jardin Aquatique Jean Couty

Place Nautique

Promenade du quai Rambaud

Promenade du quai Rambaud, Rivière La Saône

Click here for more photos of Lyon Confluence.
Click here for video of Place Nautique.

Lyon Confluence is a remarkable example of urban renewal at the old Port of Lyon. It is comparable to South Lake Union in Seattle, the Pearl District in Portland OR & other redeveloped urban industrial sites. The architecture here is bolder than in any other place I have seen.  This was the part of Lyon I found most attractive & interesting.  When it’s done, Lyon Confluence will double the size of the central residential area of Lyon.  The waterfront is more accessible here than in other parts of Lyon, which has grown up along the banks of the Rhône and Saône Rivers since the arrival of the Romans.  Place Nautique brings the Saône River to the center of the residential & commercial area with apartment buildings on one side & a shopping mall on the other.  Most of Lyon Confluence is less than 400 yards from water.  Parc de la Saône was built along the river, replacing a busy road with a 35-acre park designed by landscape architect Michel Desvigne.  It has separate paths for cyclists & pedestrians along with gardens & ponds that encourage & mimic nature.  Eventually it will be possible to walk or bike for miles along the Saône River, around the tip of the Confluence & then along the Rhône River.  Discussion of the redevelopment began in 1998 & work began in 2003.  Lyon  Confluence is expected to be completed in 2020.

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