Question. What stories could these walls tell? Right here we are standing before the Hôtel de Cuzieu at 30 rue Sainte-Hélène. It is a building that whispers tales of Lyon’s rich past.
The Hôtel de Cuzieu is remarkable. Note its grand entrance. Admire its elegant facade. Consider its impressive staircase. This residence dates back to the 18th century. It has been recognized as a monument historique since 1982.
Imagine Lyon in the 1700s. The Hôtel de Cuzieu was constructed during the third quarter of the 18th century. Picture horse-drawn carriages and powdered wigs. Envision elaborate social gatherings within these very walls.
But the Hôtel de Cuzieu’s story goes back even further. Archaeological digs here uncovered layers of history. These excavations revealed the Hôtel de Cuzieu has antique remains. The operation was carried out in 2007 and 2008. The operation was initiated because of planned pool construction.
The operation unearthed numerous levels and vestiges. They dated from the Antiquity period. Constructions were found from 50-70 AD to 220-270 AD.
The oldest structures date back to the third quarter of the 1st century AD. The buildings were made of raw earth. Some had masonry foundations. Others rested on low sleepers in foundation trenches. Imposing masonry supported bases of pillars. These supported the framework. The walls retained parts of their coatings. The interior was painted. The exterior was white. Most floors were beaten earth. Only one room had terrazzo. These remains suggest at least two buildings. One was a dwelling. The other was a commercial space such as a warehouse or shop.
In the Flavio-Trajan period from 70-120 AD living spaces disappeared. Larger spaces emerged with beaten earth floors. The architecture looks basic. It features mud walls on timber framing. Rows of pillars punctuated the space. This suggests several north-south buildings. These may have been commercial spaces like tabernae or warehouses. Archaeological evidence suggests fire destroyed this construction.
Around 120-220 AD a building linked to a dwelling reappeared. The plan still suggests the presence of commercial spaces.
The final state around 220-270 AD saw the installation of a canal. Commercial spaces seem to continue with some architectural modifications. Some archaeological finds suggest the work of alloys. The alloys contained copper and lead.
The site was also used in the Middle Ages or the Modern era. A series of pits and two large recovery trenches disturbed earlier occupations.
Take a closer look at the Hôtel de Cuzieu now. Consider its facades and roofs. These include the entrance portal. Note the wrought-iron banister on the grand staircase. Appreciate the ground-floor rooms. These rooms are the grand salon, the small salon, and the alcove bedroom. Don’t overlook the first-floor rooms. Admire the central salon, the large bedroom, and the dining room.
The Hôtel de Cuzieu is more than just a building. It is a tangible link to Lyon’s evolving story. It links antiquity to the 18th century. It links commerce to elegant living. It is a reminder that history is not just in books. History is all around us.