Chemin du Bac Sculpture

Robert Magand’s Chemin du Bac Sculpture. A tribute to a bygone era. It stands as a memorial, not to a person, but to a unique mode of transport: the traille ferry. This sculpture in Oullins, near Lyon, commemorates the ferry that once carried passengers across the Rhône. The Chemin du Bac Sculpture, created in 1982, depicts the essence of this historic ferry. It captures the spirit of a time when the river was a vital artery of life. Before bridges spanned the Rhône, people relied on this ingenious system. A flat-bottomed boat, attached to a cable strung between two towers, would harness the river’s current to propel itself across. Imagine the ingenuity. The Chemin du Bac Sculpture serves as a reminder. The traille ferry operated between 1867 and 1953, connecting Oullins and Lyon. It played a particularly crucial role during wartime. When bridges were destroyed, the ferry became a lifeline. The Chemin du Bac Sculpture allows us to reflect on this history. It is a testament to the resourcefulness of the past. In 2011, the sculpture was renovated by Magand himself and re-inaugurated. It continues to stand as a proud symbol of Oullins’ heritage, a reminder of the Chemin du Bac and the ferry that once served the community.