Best attractions and places to see around Villemoirieu include a range of historical sites and cultural landmarks. This region offers various places to explore, from medieval towns to ancient castles, providing insights into local heritage. Visitors can discover several top rated attractions near Villemoirieu, featuring a mix of historical architecture and natural settings. The area is home to many hidden gems Villemoirieu outdoor, suitable for those interested in history and exploration.
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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Yes, the medieval town of Crémieu is considered family-friendly. It offers a rich architectural heritage with its Delphinal castle, a 16th-century hall, and a cloister, providing an engaging historical experience for all ages.
The region is rich in history. You can explore the medieval town of Crémieu with its castle and ancient buildings, the fortified Cingle Castle dating back to the 16th century, and the impressive Château de Bienassis, which maintains the appearance of a medieval castle.
Yes, you can visit the Our Lady of La Salette Chapel, built in 1866, which offers a lovely view of the Isère plain. Another option is the Chapelle Sainte-Anne, located in an old castle tower on a high point of L'Isle d'Abeau hill.
You can find various cycling and running opportunities. For road cycling, explore routes like the 'Château Delphinal of Crémieu – La Tuille Pond loop'. Touring cyclists might enjoy the 'Crémieu–Morestel Greenway – Pond loop'. Runners have options such as the 'Étang de Chalignieu – Château de Mallin loop'. More details on these activities can be found in the Road Cycling Routes, Cycling, and Running Trails guides around Villemoirieu.
Yes, for road cycling, an easy route is the 'Medieval Town of Crémieu – Château de Bienassis loop from Crémieu', covering approximately 22 km. You can find more cycling options in the Road Cycling Routes around Villemoirieu guide.
Visitors particularly appreciate the rich architectural heritage and the pleasant atmosphere of the medieval town of Crémieu. The old houses, halls, and cloister are frequently mentioned as highlights. The scenic views from places like the Our Lady of La Salette Chapel are also highly regarded.
Yes, for those seeking more challenging routes, there are several options. For cycling, consider the 'The Washhouse – Crémieu, medieval town loop from Crémieu' or the 'Château de Mallin – Muddy Forest Path loop from Crémieu', both rated as difficult. Runners can tackle the 'Running loop from Crémieu', which is also considered challenging. Explore these and other routes in the Cycling around Villemoirieu and Running Trails around Villemoirieu guides.
While the main attractions are well-known, the region is noted for its 'hidden gems Villemoirieu outdoor' for those interested in history and exploration. For instance, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne, originally part of an old fortified house, offers a unique historical context and a quiet spot to visit.
The attractions around Villemoirieu, with their historical and architectural focus, can generally be enjoyed year-round. However, for outdoor activities like cycling and running, spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures. Summer is also suitable, but it can be warmer. Winter visits might be quieter, focusing more on the historical sites.
Yes, the Our Lady of La Salette Chapel, nestled on a promontory, provides a lovely view of the Isère plain. This spot offers a scenic perspective of the surrounding landscape.
Absolutely. For example, the 'Medieval Town of Crémieu – Château de Bienassis loop from Crémieu' is an easy road cycling route that takes you past the Château de Bienassis. Another option is the 'Hières-sur-Amby village – Cingle Castle loop from Crémieu' for touring cyclists, which includes Cingle Castle. You can find these and more in the Road Cycling Routes and Cycling around Villemoirieu guides.


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