Best attractions and places to see around Leyrieu, a rural village in the Isère department, offer access to local heritage and natural landscapes. Situated against the limestone cliffs of the Isle Crémieu plateau, the area is nestled between the Rhône river and the medieval town of Crémieu. Leyrieu serves as a base for exploring historical sites and natural features in the wider Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The surroundings provide opportunities for discovering castles, historical towns, and greenways.
Last updated: July 2, 2026
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In January 1847, an investigation was opened into projects towards Geneva, Besançon, Dôle-Châlons. In 1850, the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry adopted the project for a rail link from Lyon to Chambéry via Saint Genis sur Guiers. Applications to operate this line were rejected until 1877. The work lasted 4 years, financed in part by Belgian capital. The inauguration took place on October 9, 1881, and the first train ran on October 30. The line started from the Gare de l'Est (Avenue Félix Faure) and ended at Sablonnières. It had 16 stations and 3 stops over a distance of 72 Kms. Passenger traffic increased from 4 daily round trips in 1897 to 8 in 1935. A passenger took 40 minutes on the 6:35 AM train to travel from Lyon to Pont de Chéruy and 34 minutes to return to Lyon on the 7:23 PM train. Despite everything, the line was closed to passengers in December 1938, then reopened from September 1939 to December 31, 1947. VFD (Voie Ferrée du Dauphiné) coaches took over between Crémieu and Lyon; Freight traffic supplied the main industries (Grammont in Pont de Chéruy and Vicat in Bouvesse) as well as the various industrial zones. The network served 70 private sidings. At its peak in 1935, 1,000,000 tons transited through this line. The decision by the cement factories to no longer use the rail in 1978 was to deal it a "fatal" blow. In 1980, during its last year, 540,244 tons (including 150,130 of scrap metal) were still transported. In 2001, CoUrLy (Urban Community of Lyon) and the General Council of the Rhône adopted a decision to reactivate passenger traffic on part of the route of the Est line. The objective is to connect Lyon to Saint Exupéry airport.
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Very beautiful village with character, entirely made of stone; from the village, you can see the Madonna of the Larina Archaeological site.
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Beautiful little town, quite touristy, but worth the detour
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Although first mentioned in 1540, the Cingle fortified house was undoubtedly built in the second half of the 14th century by the Pèlerin family. Originally composed of a main tower and a wing back to the west, it perhaps originally included a curtain wall. During the 15th century, the south wing was extended towards the west, a main building comprising a lower room and an upper room was attached to the north of the main tower, while a turret occupied on the first floor by an oratory and on the second by a dovecote is built to the east, projecting. A wing including the kitchen on the ground floor is also built at right angles to the north of the courtyard. The farm itself retains some architectural elements dating from the 16th century. Source: Ministry of Culture
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The Bienassis fortified house, built by the Vallin family at the end of the 14th century, was organized around an enclosed courtyard and included a pavilion surrounded by watchtower turrets. The current building was completed in 1897 for Casimir Gournet, who wanted to give the old feudal residence the appearance of a medieval castle. Alphonse de Lamartine made several stays in Bienassis with his friend Nicolas Prosper Guichard, between 1804 and 1808. The castle, built of limestone rubble, consists of an L-shaped building covered with a long-pitched roof covered with mechanical tiles extended to the south by a high quadrangular tower with a porch in the work. The north wing has four levels of elevation: three cellars on the basement floor, a square floor and an attic floor. The tower rises on three levels: a ground floor with ribbed vaults and two square floors, the buildings are crowned with false machicolation. The corner turrets are covered with conical slate roofs. The stained glass windows of the ground floor living room are decorated with two bust-length women and two bust-length men in rondels. The coat of arms of the Joubert de Montlevon family can be found on one of the windows of the first living room on the ground floor. In the library, two shields with scrolling scroll motifs, a shield decorated with three female heads, a shield decorated with a passing griffin, and a shield decorated with two hammers with the initials C G for Casimir Gournet adorn the windows. Source: Châteaux de France
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The Chemin de fer de l'Est de Lyon (CFEL) is a former French secondary railway network with standard gauge located partly in the Rhône department and partly in the Isère department and which connected the Gare de Lyon-Est to Aoste-Saint-Genix via Crémieu, Saint-Hilaire de Brens (Turnoff for the Jallieu antenna) and Soleymieu-Sablonnière (Turnoff for the Montalieu antenna). After a gradual end of operation until December 2003, the area of the line between Lyon-Part-Dieu station and Meyzieu Z.I. was transformed to allow line T3 of the Lyon tramway to run there, and the Rhônexpress shuttle to Saint-Exupéry airport. Note for the latter, that from the Meyzieu ZI, the track leaves the former CFEL right-of-way to head south towards the airport.
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This small city of character, located 40 kilometers from Lyon has a sumptuous architectural heritage. Walking through its narrow streets, you will discover the Delphinal castle, its majestic 16th century hall, its cloister or its Augustinian convent. The medieval town of Crémieu is classified as a Protected Area for Urban and Landscape Architectural Heritage (ZPPAUP).
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A very beautiful town! There is a good restaurant in the center right next to the village.
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The region offers several fascinating historical sites. You can visit the impressive medieval town of Crémieu, known for its ramparts and architectural heritage. Further afield, the hillside walled town of Pérouges is recognized as one of France's most beautiful villages. Closer to Leyrieu, you can also find the historic Cingle Castle and the Château de Bienassis.
Yes, Leyrieu is situated against the limestone cliffs of the Isle Crémieu plateau, offering scenic views. The Our Lady of La Salette Chapel, nestled on a promontory, provides a lovely view of the Isère plain. You can also explore natural areas like the Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage and various ponds such as Lemps Pond and Varnieu pond, known for their wildlife.
The area is great for outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including moderate loops like "Crémieu, medieval town – Ramparts loop from Crémieu" or "Our Lady of La Salette loop from Leyrieu." For cycling, there's the Greenway from Crémieu to Arandon-Passins, suitable for hybrid or mountain bikes. Mountain biking and running routes are also available, with options ranging from easy to difficult. You can find more details on these activities in the hiking, MTB, and running guides for the region.
Absolutely. The medieval town of Crémieu is considered family-friendly, offering an engaging historical experience. The Greenway from Crémieu to Arandon-Passins provides a safe and pleasant route for family bike rides. Additionally, the nearby Caves of La Balme offer an exciting geological exploration suitable for families.
Leyrieu hosts the annual Festival des Turbulles, a vibrant festival of live performances. Organized by the "À balles et à bulles" circus company, it features over a dozen circus, theater, and street art shows, along with numerous workshops. This event typically takes place during the last week of spring holidays.
Yes, the Caves of La Balme are located approximately 12.3 km from Leyrieu. They offer a unique opportunity to explore fascinating geological formations and underground landscapes.
The region is enjoyable throughout the warmer months. If you're interested in cultural events, consider visiting during the last week of spring holidays to experience the Festival des Turbulles. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and exploring the medieval towns without the peak summer crowds.
Yes, several nearby towns host markets where you can experience local life and find regional products. Crémieu has a market on Wednesdays, Pont-de-Chéruy on Sundays, and Bourgoin-Jallieu on Thursdays and Sundays.
Lyon is approximately 32 km to the west of Leyrieu. As a major city, it offers a wealth of attractions, including impressive buildings, monuments, museums, and shops. You can explore the historic Lyon Presqu'île and Old Town, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, for a rich cultural experience.
Within Leyrieu, you can find the historic Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste Church, dating back to the 19th century, and the Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Salette, also known as the Chapel of the Aviators, built in 1857. The village also preserves a traditional Communal Bread Oven (Four Banal), reflecting its rural heritage.
Yes, there are easy hiking options available. For example, the "Ramparts – Crémieu, medieval town loop from Crémieu" is an easy 4 km route. Another easy option is the "Ramparts loop from Crémieu," which is about 5.1 km. You can find more details on these and other trails in the hiking guide for the area.


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