The city of Communay was formerly part of the department of Isère.

It experienced mining development in the 19th century with the presence of coal, particularly in Simandres, Marenne, Chaponay

In 1872, the Société des Houillères de Communay operated the "Bayettan" and "Sainte-Lucie" wells but filed for bankruptcy in 1882.

It was taken over in 1896 by the Société Civile des Mines de Communay.

In 1898, the Société des Mines d'Anthracite de Communay built the railway line from Communay to Chasse-sur-Rhône.