Wonder how this unassuming street got its intriguing name? Let’s explore the Rue du Bois de la Caille. This street forms Lyon’s northern boundary. It separates the Croix Rousse plateau from the Saône’s edge. The north side actually belongs to Caluire.
Rue du Bois de la Caille begins at the corner of Rue Hermann Sabran. It also starts at Rue Chevalier facing Rue Henri Gorjus. It ends facing the Saône. This is at the border of Quai Gillet and Quai Clemenceau in Caluire. The end is near the Lyon plage hotel.
In 2014, access to the woods was open. A wide path led to Montée de la Rochette in Caluire. The street begins with a flat paved section oriented north. The west side is lined with old low houses. On the opposite side is a building’s garden.
Rue du Bois de la Caille then goes toward the woods. It passes between individual houses’ walls. A stony path marked by bollards descends through the woods. Old walls often isolate you. You might find brambles nettles and dandelions.
Near the bottom a second paved part descends north. This is between the wood’s retaining wall and the residence at 29 to 31. This large residence has staggered roofs at the hill’s foot and many balconies. On the south side an old door has a beautiful frame. The street ends with a flat section oriented west. It widens after Chemin du Vallon and a house’s wall. It runs alongside a wall with plant containers and the Lyon plage complex.
During the Revolution a domaine de la Caille existed. It belonged to a family of the same name known in the 15th century. Léonard and Jehan Caille appear in consular registers from 1417. A few hundred meters up the Saône a portal reads LACAILLE. There is also a Rue de la Caille in Montchat.
The chemin de la Caille is an old path. It runs between Croix Rousse and the Saône. It existed before the Revolution. In 1865 Arnould Locard found a fossil deposit here after the Saône’s water level dropped. These fossils were from the Quaternary period.
Jean Augé Lyon’s most notorious gangster was killed here in 1973. He took eight bullets in front of Lyon plage. Augé amassed a fortune through crime and providing services. He reportedly swindled fifty million from young rivals who retaliated.
Lyon plage is a complex. It features a hotel restaurant pools and sports. Claire Pommet known as Pomme lived nearby. She mentions the Église de Fond Rose in her song Grandiose. The Bois de la Caille is also a park. It is open to the public in Caluire-et-Cuire. It covers about six hectares. The park has a steep area separating Croix-Rousse and Cuire-le-Haut from Cuire-le-Bas.
The name Bois de la Caille comes from the Caille family. They owned a large property nearby. This estate was called Caille in the 16th century. Parish records mention weddings in the domaine de la Caille’s chapel.
A fortified house once stood on the edge of the Bois de la Caille. This estate had many owners. A hydrotherapy establishment was located there in the 19th century. The city of Caluire-et-Cuire acquired the Bois de la Caille. It opened to the public in February 2020.
The Bois de la Caille features a pedagogical path. Eight wooden totems provide information. They cover topics like bats the carbon cycle wetlands trees and birds. QR codes on the totems link to interactive information. Part of the Bois de la Caille is a protected biological reserve. The Bois de la Caille allows pedestrians to walk between Croix-Rousse and Cuire-le-Bas. A family pension is located at 35 Rue du Bois de la Caille. It offers housing and support for people in need.