The old lime kiln

This house is the last still bearing the inscription recalling the lime kilns. There were three such kilns in Serrières, which received stone from Bugey or Cruas by boat and manufactured lime for the local industry.
Before the 19th century, this district did not exist. There were only fields and orchards, and Saint-Sornin and Serrières were two separate market towns. During the French Revolution, this area was known as "Champ de Mars". In the 19th century, with the construction of the new district, the two "communes" were united, taking the name of La Fondalin.
Rue de La Fondalin was home to a hydraulic lime factory used by the local industry. The manufacturers imported the raw material from the Ain down the Rhône (Sot-Brenaz quarry in the Bujet). Lime is a binder (mortar) that replaces cement and is a disinfectant. It was used to bleach stables. It was also used to neutralise the effects of copper to treat vines against mildew (Bordeaux mixture).
There were 3 lime kilns in Serrières. The last one was closed in 1914.