Isn’t it fascinating how structures can transform over time? Right here stands the \u00c9cluse de La Mulati\u00e8re. It’s a testament to Lyon’s evolving relationship with its rivers.
Originally, this wasn’t a jousting basin. It was a crucial part of a dam and lock system on the Saône. Jean Claret designed the system. Construction began in 1876 and finished in March 1882. The \u00c9cluse de La Mulati\u00e8re was the last lock on the Saône before it met the Rhône.
Before its construction, navigation was tricky. Rocks near the Pont Nemours hindered boats during low water. The Cie des bateaux-Omnibus had to split its service. Also, the drop in water level at the Pont de La Mulatière posed challenges. Big ships measuring up to 150 meters struggled.
The dam was meant to raise the water level. It would eliminate the drop at the Pont de La Mulatière. The location at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône made sense. The \u00c9cluse de La Mulatière had impressive dimensions. The total length from the upstream to downstream head was 186.10 meters. The interior width between the two lock walls was 16 meters.
The lock had three pairs of gates dividing it into two sections. Each section was 80 meters long. When the central gates were open, boats shorter than 160 meters could pass. The dam included a pass for water flowing south and a spillway. The spillway let water flow east into the Rhône.
However, the \u00c9cluse de La Mulatière’s role changed. The Pierre-Bénite dam’s completion in 1967 made it obsolete. The dam was dismantled but the lock remained.
The construction of the A7 highway coincided with the lock’s closure. This cut off the town from the river. Philippe Danilo, the mayor at the time, built a pedestrian bridge. It allowed access to the lock again. It was a symbol of a lost connection to the river.
The jousters of the Union des Jouteurs Sauveteurs de La Mulatière needed a new place to practice. The A7 highway had taken their old spot. So, they moved into the \u00c9cluse de La Mulatière. In 2009, it was officially named “Écluse de La Mulatière – bassin de joutes César Varnet”. This honored a long-time club member.
Today, you can still see the lock’s quays. You can also spot the maintenance rails for the dam on the Presqu’île. The \u00c9cluse de La Mulatière now hosts jousting competitions. The city raised the quays by 60 cm in the late 1960s. This was after the Pierre-Bénite dam raised the water level. A pedestrian bridge was added, allowing people to cross the lock. Two buildings serve as changing rooms and a refreshment area.
Literature also mentions the \u00c9cluse de La Mulatière. It appears in books like “Je te cherche Vieux-Rhône” and “Ton Rhône est un mirage”. The \u00c9cluse de La Mulatière stands as a reminder of Lyon’s industrial past. Now, it’s a place for sport and community.