L'Ile Barbe

An abbey was founded on the island in the fifth century. This is the first monastic establishment in the Lyon region and one of the oldest in Gaul. Charlemagne dowry of a beautiful library. The monastery, pillaged several times (in 676, 725 and 945), adopts the rule of St. Benedict in the ninth century and gradually gains strength, before being devastated and burned in 1562 by the Protestant troops.

In 1827 a suspension bridge was built, spanning the island at its southern tip, to connect with the right and left banks of the Saône, the villages of Saint-Rambert (now Lyon 9th) and Caluire-et Cook. Mecca of Lyon legends, the island hosts Barbe curious walkers as it once greeted druids and Christians.

A few people live now on the island and it is a place privileged habitat. It consists of a public part (the clay courts for playing pétanque, a large plot of lawn, a set of games for children) and his private part has two paths (the Saint-Loup stalemate along the Auberge du Bas and path leading to Port-Saône). These two paths do not join the Saint-Loup impasse ending a private courtyard enclosed by a gate.

Gourmets can go to the gastronomic restaurant located on the island, "L'Auberge de l'Ile Barbe" to enjoy delicious dinners in an exceptional setting!

Not far from there, discover the Jean Couty Museum which highlights the work of Jean Couty (1907-1991), a Lyon painter whose fame extended far beyond the city's gates, as his paintings were exported all over the world.