Le Bac à Traille

“A ferry powered by the river itself?” you might wonder. Here at Le Bac à Traille, that’s exactly what they had. Before bridges spanned the Rhône with ease, ingenious solutions were needed to cross this mighty river. Le Bac à Traille, meaning “ferry with cable,” was one such solution. Before 1880, no bridge connected Lyon and Vienne. People relied on boats or ferries like Le Bac à Traille to traverse the Rhône. The Vernaison ferry, of which some vestiges remain, linked Irigny and Feyzin during the first half of the 19th century. This wasn’t just any ferry. A strong cable, the “traille,” stretched across the river. This cable was attached to the ferry. The current, hitting the ferry at an angle, propelled it back and forth across the water. It was a clever dance between human ingenuity and the river’s power. Le Bac à Traille started operating at the end of 1822. By 1848, it was showing its age. Complaints arose about its leaky condition. Some claimed it even sank every night. The infamous flood of 1856 ripped the ferry away. After a two-month hiatus, pedestrian service resumed. In 1885, the Department bought most of these cable ferries, making passage free. Le Bac à Traille continued its service until 1905. A suspension bridge then replaced it. However, the ferry’s story didn’t end there. When the bridge was destroyed in June 1940, Le Bac à Traille returned to duty. It served faithfully until the current bridge opened in 1959. Down by the river, between the old Rhône and the city, you’ll find a basin. This area became a stage for traditional jousting matches, which started 130 years ago. Bargemen passing by would challenge the locals to these river battles.