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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Maison des Frères des Écoles Chrétiens de Caluire-et-Cuire has its origins in a 17th century castle, originally owned by Jean Gay, then by Barthélémy Gubian until the French Revolution. During this period, the castle was looted and its archives burned, but the remaining buildings served as a military hospital during the uprising in Lyon in 1793. The places change their vocation over the centuries, reflecting the political and social upheavals of the region.

In 1845, François Cochet gave up the park and chapel of the castle to the Brothers of the Christian Schools, who in 1846 built a building dedicated to the formation of religious (noviciat) and to the reception of elderly or infirm brothers. The stones on the west facade come from Prety. This site becomes a key place for the education of young people from modest backgrounds, marking the Brothers' commitment to popular instruction in the 19th century.

The building was declared communal in 1870 and transformed into a barracks during the Franco-Prussian war, leading to the temporary expulsion of the brothers. Upon their return in 1871, the community used the damages obtained to erect the Saint Joseph Chapel in 1885, designed by architect Louis Sainte-Marie-Perrin. This place retains a religious and civic dimension, illustrating the tensions between the State and the Church under the Third Republic.

During the two world wars, the House was converted into a military hospital, where 370 beds were installed during the First World War, with 6,272 wounded. These periods highlight its humanitarian role and its adaptation to national crises. In 1972, the municipality acquired the building, which became the city hall after extensive restoration work between 1989 and 1992.

The architecture of the monument, with its 110 meters long, 70 meters wide and 20 meters high, bears witness to its historical importance. The facades and roofs, as well as the chapel, have been listed as historical monuments since 17 July 1982. Today, this place embodies both the educational, religious and municipal heritage of Cauire-et-Cuire.

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