The Cours Brillier in Vienne sports a new look after 18 months of intensive work. Led by Vienne Condrieu Agglomération and the City of Vienne, this project aimed to secure and enhance this major axis, heavily frequented by residents, users, and tourists. The redevelopment included dedicated lanes for buses and bikes, airy pedestrian areas, increased greenery, and the complete renewal of potable water, wastewater, rainwater, and electrical networks.
This project is part of the national "Action cœur de Ville" initiative, launched in 2018, which supports the revitalization of town centers. The requalification of Cours Brillier received state financial support of €1,250,000. The overall operation, including studies and works, amounts to €8,493,282 including tax, with financial support from the Department of Isère and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The construction site, divided into four sectors (archaeological digs, networks, green spaces, and roadways), led to notable discoveries, including remains of 18th and 19th-century road surfaces, medieval or modern burial pits, and traces of an ancient building with a mosaic. The old tramway rails connecting Vienne to Voiron were also unearthed. An archaeological conference by Thierry Argant is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, at 2:30 PM at the Auditorium du Trente.
The works also modernized the potable water, sewage, and rainwater networks, thereby improving water distribution and environmental protection. Green spaces were enhanced with 3,700 m² of de-impermeabilized surfaces and 4,500 plants. 300 linear meters of cycling facilities and a 300 linear meter bus lane were created.
To enhance security, fixed or retractable bollards have been installed at strategic points. Furthermore, the Place de la Casquette has been renamed Place de la Caserne Général Rambaud, in honor of François Rambaud, a French Revolutionary Brigadier General.
The new Place Rambaud also features an innovative 13-jet fountain, paying homage to Ophiuchus and designed for water and energy sobriety. A tree was gifted to the association Rêves, which works to fulfill the dreams of severely ill children.
Other related projects include the restoration of the war memorial on Place Pierre Semard, scheduled for completion on November 7, 2026, and the extension of the river port, which will accommodate three 135-meter cruise ships simultaneously, with works expected to finish in November 2026.
Thierry Kovacs, Mayor of Vienne and President of Vienne Condrieu Agglomération, emphasized that this transformation aligns with the city's commitment to making Vienne more pleasant, attractive, and peaceful, while strengthening the role of nature and individual mobility.
