Rue de la Republique (Republic Street), Lyon

In the Parc of the Golden Head (Parc de la Tete d'Or) there is a memorial honoring Claude-Marius Vaisse. Claude also has a short street named for him in the 6th arrondissement. As mayor in 1854, he transformed Lyon, building new roads, aqueducts, and canals; and restoring the Exchange and City Hall.

Three new roads in Presqu'île were created to connect Bellecour Square to other squares in the district. Two new squares, Republic Square (Place de la Republique) and Cordeliers Square (Place des Cordeliers) were formed. The Republic Street runs from Bellecour Square to Republic Square and from thence to Louis Pradel Square.

Called "rue de la Re" by locals, the street reminds one of the Champs-Elysees of Paris. It is jammed with luxury stores, cheap shops, fast food kiosks, restaurants, and cafes. Haussmann-Style buildings were erected when the street was formed. Number 85, originally a theatre, was built by industrialist and connoisseur Emile Guimet.

Art Deco Cinema Pathe has a rooster on the roof. The Palace of Commerce is next to the Church of Saint Bonaventure on the Cordeliers Square. The modernistic New Grand Bazaar is jammed with shops. The City Hall (Hotel de Ville) and the New Opera (Opera Nouvel) are in the Comedy Square (Place de la Comedie). The street is part of the area's UNESCO World Heritage site.