A grand cube of wood stands before you. This is the Place de la Capitainerie in Lyon. Its story begins not with grand pronouncements but with quiet construction.
The Place de la Capitainerie isn’t some ancient square. It’s relatively new. Construction began in 2012 and concluded in 2014. The building that gives the place its name is a large cube. It’s clad in wooden shutters a modern take on a classic design. To the north lies a small lawn. The Saône River is nearby to the west. The port entrance is just to the south. Ships are close by.
Before 2011 this spot wasn’t even called the Place de la Capitainerie. The name was chosen then. It was given to the building project located at the entrance to the confluence basin. It honored the older building the old Capitainerie. That building built in 1926 is the oldest in the neighborhood. It’s also the last project finished in the rehabilitation and development of the Docks de la Confluence.
This wasn’t just any building. The old Capitainerie was the first building at Port Rambaud. It saw bustling activity. It was a hub for commerce and exchange. It handled fluvio-maritime traffic linking Lyon to Greece and Italy. It transported metallurgical products. In the 1950s and 60s Port Rambaud thrived. It transported salt sugar wine and building materials. It even handled banana shipments. Coal transit continued into the 1980s. It ceased operation only in 1991.
The current Capitainerie building isn’t just a modern structure. It’s a testament to Lyon’s history. It stands where the Port Rambaud once flourished a symbol of Lyon’s rich maritime past. Look at the building. It’s more than just wood and concrete. It’s a story waiting to be told a story of industry commerce and the ever-changing face of Lyon. The MJC Perrache Confluence occupies the west side of the building. The Capitainerie itself provides docking space for twenty-two ships.
So here you are at the Place de la Capitainerie. Take a moment to appreciate its unique blend of old and new. It’s a testament to Lyon’s spirit of renewal. It’s a place where history and modernity meet. Enjoy the view. The story of this place continues.