The scent of river and roasted frogs hangs in the air. This is Quai Raoul Carrié.
Quai Raoul Carrié is Lyon’s first quay on the right bank of the Saône. It’s a charming stretch of riverside road nestled between the Quai de la Jonchère and Quai Sedallian. It begins near the Île Barbe a UNESCO World Heritage site. It ends near Collonges. The road itself is part of the RD 510 heading towards Anse. Bus lines 31 and 43 run along it.
Once a simple path it eventually became a bustling road. Imagine the journey in 1851. Travelers arriving from Paris by train would disembark at Chalons. They’d then continue their journey down the Saône. Horace Greely a writer praised the beautiful scenery. The hills and the charming houses were a highlight. The road itself wasn’t fully developed until after 1950. It got a major upgrade around 1970.
The architecture here is quite unique. A mix of older one and two-story houses stands near Rue Port Cotton. Some restaurants built extensions. Further along near Rue Malibran there’s a small tower. Beyond that you’ll see impressive rock formations. Houses and small towers cling to the cliff face. Two incredible stone perrons dominate the view.
The quai’s character changes after Rue Faye. It becomes a wider road. A large square white perron adorns a house. The hillside is less steep here. Villas sit behind walls.
The quai Raoul Carrié is named after Raoul Carrié. He was born in Rodez in 1883. He died in Lyon in 1936. He was mayor of Saint Rambert. The quai was originally called the Quai de l’Île.
Traditionally this area was known for its frog legs and fried Saône fish. Three restaurants remain. Two even have pontoons extending into the river. It is also home to other businesses such as a hair salon and an osteopath. The Buldo restaurant on the Quai Raoul Carrié offers unique dining experiences. It’s on a pontoon right on the water. It features contemporary art from the late Lyonnaise artist Jean Couty. So sit back. Enjoy the view and the food. Quai Raoul Carrié is a true gem.