Perrache

Perrache is a neighborhood in Lyon, France, located on the left bank of the Saône at the southern edge of the city’s Presqu’île, within the 2nd arrondissement. The area centers on Gare de Lyon-Perrache, Lyon’s historic railway station and a major transport hub that connects regional and national rail services with local public transit. The station has long been a catalyst for Perrache’s development as an urban and commercial district, shaping its street layout, housing, and services.

The name Perrache derives from the local district surrounding the station; the term has come to denote this part of Lyon and its identity as a transportation-centric area.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Perrache grew as an industrial and commercial zone tied to the railway network. In recent decades, it has undergone urban renewal aimed at improving housing, public spaces, and mobility. Redevelopment projects have sought to balance rail operations with residential needs, pedestrian-friendly riverfront access, and integration of new facilities while preserving elements of the area’s architectural heritage.

Today Perrache combines residential blocks, offices, shops, and public services, with the railway station remaining a central landmark. Its strategic location near the Saône and the city’s southern districts continues to make Perrache an accessible entry point to Lyon and a focal point for transportation, commerce, and urban life in the area.