Location & Geography
Brignais is a commune in the Rhône department in the Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes region of eastern France. It lies about 15 km southwest of Lyon, nestled between urbanized communes and rural villages, and between the Rhône valley and the plateaus of the Monts du Lyonnais. The small river Garon flows through the commune, and Brignais forms part of the Lyon urban area and the Lyon attraction area.
Ancient & Medieval History
Brignais was originally part of the historic territory called the Jarez before becoming integrated into the Rhône region. Its name likely derives from a Celtic root indicating a height or fortified place.
The town was historically an old fortified village on the Royal Route (route royale) linking Lyon to Saint‑Étienne, with the Vieux Pont across the Garon facilitating this route.
Battle of Brignais (1362)
During the Hundred Years’ War, Brignais was the site of a major clash on April 6, 1362, known as the Battle of Brignais. Here, bands of unemployed mercenaries (the Grandes Compagnies, including the Tard‑Venus) defeated the royal army of King Jean II le Bon, commanded by Jacques I of Bourbon, Count of La Marche. The battlefield route remains locally known as the Chemin des Tard‑Venus.
Roman Engineering: Aqueduct
In antiquity, part of the Roman aqueduct of the Gier passed through the area. Built in the 1st century, this aqueduct supplied water from the Pilat hills to Lugdunum (ancient Lyon) and was part of a vast hydraulic system that brought tens of thousands of cubic meters of water per day to the Roman capital of Gaul.
Local Heritage & Architecture
Brignais preserved medieval and later historical buildings and structures — including its old houses, mills, and religious sites — that reflect centuries of development from medieval times through the 19th century.
Prominent Figures Linked to Brignais
- Jean II le Bon — King of France whose army fought in the 1362 battle.
- Jacques I of Bourbon, Count of La Marche — Royal commander at the Battle of Brignais.
- Guy de Chauliac — Celebrated medieval surgeon and one of the founders of modern surgery; he practiced in Brignais in the 14th century and is commemorated in the historic hospital site.
Administration
Today Brignais is a commune with over 12,000 residents, governed within the Lyon arrondissement and part of the Vallée du Garon intercommunality.