Set on the Saône since the dawn of time, it has seen a lot of water flow and a lot of ink spilled with its history and legends… Another key witness to our history, Île Barbe has seen it all: the birth of Lyon, glory, the greatest kings of France, the mystery of the Grail, blood and tears, and today, the attention of our dear readers.
A small island with a big history
In 2011, archaeological digs uncovered ceramics dating back to the Neolithic period (between 6000 and 2200 BC). These remains attest to the fact that Île Barbe was one of the very first places inhabited by man in Lyon.
Things became clearer from the 2nd century AD onwards. By this time, the Roman Empire was reigning over Gaul without law or order. Lugdunum welcomed its first Christians (at that time, Christianity was still in its infancy), and times were hard for these unfortunate people… Refusing to submit to the yoke of the Roman Emperor, they tried to protest, but quickly paid the price. Thrown to the wild beasts, they became Lyon’s first martyrs.
In spite of everything, some of them managed to free themselves from the clutches of the Romans (and the lions) to take refuge on Île Barbe. The site became a symbol of resistance for all of Western Christendom. It was only natural that one of the first abbeys should be built here in the 5th century. Along with Cluny, it became one of the most powerful abbeys in Europe.
A place with a rich and eventful past
From the 6th to the 10th century, times were not kind, and Île Barbe was the scene of numerous plunders and invasions. Franks, Visigoths, Saracens, Hungarians: everyone passed through (and trampled on) the island. On several occasions, the site was ransacked and burned. But the phoenix rose from its ashes and regained a certain form of serenity from the 11th century onwards, allowing numerous kings and queens, including Charlemagne, Louis XI, François I and Catherine de Médicis, to spend time here from time to time. The abbey shone for almost twelve centuries, housing exceptional relics, including – as some would have us believe – the most magical of them all: the Holy Grail…
Add to this a whole host of other legends, such as the presence of druids and human sacrifices, a whole host of murders and suicides, and the fact that a treasure is said to exist in the underground passages beneath the abbey walls, and you’ve got the biggest of Hollywood scenarios on an island the size of a fingernail …
Lyon’s favorite island
For over 1200 years, the island was the center of attention thanks to the reputation of its abbey. The Lyonnais came here to pray (but also to drink and dance), making it a stronghold without equal in the city. The decline of the abbey from the 16th century onwards did not affect its popularity, and it remained a popular place to show off until the end of the 19th century.
Despite its integration into the territory of Lyon (only in 1963) and the increasing development of the surrounding urban area, Île Barbe has remained in the same place it occupied when our Neolithic ancestors first settled here.
Today, an entire section of the island is public: access is via the suspension bridge dating back to 1827, allowing you to enjoy the south of the island with its majestic plane trees and picnic tables. To enjoy the site in a different way, you can also go to Caluire (quai Clémenceau, montée Castellane). The panorama is remarkable.