The best MTB trails around Saint-Chef

Beautiful cycle path, mostly shaded, unpaved but rideable (I ride it with 23mm tires), which follows the old line of the Chemin de Fer de l'Est Lyonnais (CFEL)

Found somewhat by chance and at a very affordable price, this hotel restaurant is a superb stopover for a bike ride!

Meh, just good for walking around, no difficulty

Lovely view of the pond. A little cool spot when it's hot.

Very pleasant

This is the Green Way of the Balcons du Dauphiné

Chapeau Cornu Castle was originally a fortified house built on the site of an ancient Roman camp. Between 800 and 1100, feudalism took hold. The sovereigns of Vienna and the Bishop created “rear fiefdoms” to ensure security and repel attackers. In the 12th and 13th centuries, there were two allied families: the Capellas and the Cornutis. It is by derivative of these 2 Latin names that “Chapeau Cornu” was born. In 1300, Amédée de Rossilon was governor of Chapeau Cornu. He left this property to his nephews Pierre and Louis Chapel. After Pierre's death in 1358, Louis succeeded him. Pierre will leave 2 daughters, one of whom Antonia marries the Knight Etienne Laure, Lord of Veyssillieu. The latter was killed by the English while fighting under Duguesclin. His son Jacquemont Laure avenged him and his daughter Béatrice married Imbert de Groslée, Seneschal of the King, in 1413. His sons and descendants remained in Chapeau Cornu until 1650. It was in 1601 that Chapeau Cornu took the name Château. But in 1638, the Castle fell into disuse. The last occupants, the Matthieu de Rame couple, left no children and in 1693, the property passed to Aymard Micha de Burcin. He expanded the estate through multiple purchases and died in 1755, donating all his property to his cousin Philippe Guillaume de Grammont. After the storming of the Bastille on the night of July 25 to 26, 1789, “the great fear” began. A band of rioters, determined to destroy the property of the squires, arrived in Chapeau Cornu at 1 a.m. The steward at the time had the idea of treating them as guests and opened the doors of the wine cellars to them. The damage underground is impressive: the undrinked wine is emptied but the castle remains intact. After the Revolution, the castle was purchased by Jean André Barge from the de Certeau family. He diverted the bed of the stream coming from the hill which then passed into the castle. He had the large buildings to the south-east and east built on the vault. Ruined, he sold part of the land to people from Vignolles. In 1855, the castle and 80 hectares surrounding it were bought by his son Ferdinand de Certeau. The estate remained in the family until 1891. The Bourgoin Court then ordered a judicial liquidation and had the property sold in several lots. Source: Vignieu website

Nice view of the Chapeau Cornu castle from the road.