The best traffic-free bike rides around Les Côtes-D'Arey

The church was built thanks to donations from Galiot de Genouillac in 1540, as commemorated by an inscription in a cartouche near the south portal. The work progressed slowly, so much so that in his will of 1545 he stipulated that it had to be completed "according to the portrait with which it was begun, both as regards the building and the roof."

In front of the chapel are well-preserved old graves, and the crosses of others are beautifully placed on the walls. It's worth taking a break here to admire the view and the old cemetery. Unfortunately, the chapel isn't always open.

Saint Martin, to whom the church of Les Cotes-D'Arey is dedicated, is - along with Saint Nicholas - probably one of the most popular saints of all. The memorial day of the former officer in the Roman army is November 11th. On the night after the famous “parting of the coat,” when he leaves half of his army cloak to a freezing beggar, Jesus Christ appears to him in a dream. He then converted to Christianity and was later elected bishop of Tours (France) - initially against his will. Many people will have fond childhood memories of making lanterns in kindergarten and primary school, the evening lantern parade through the dark village/district - and of course the delicious “Weckmann”.

The original Marian shrine "La Salette", which is referred to here, is located in the French Alps (Arrondissement of Grenoble) and is an important Marian shrine, even if it has nowhere near the level of fame of other places of pilgrimage in honor of the Mother of God - such as Lourdes in the French Pyrenees or Fatima in Portugal. The hiking highlight “La Salette” can be found on komoot under the following link: https://www.komoot.de/highlight/1861054

Public place, accessible from the side. It was in the 11th century, in a primitive Romanesque style, that this chapel was built on a property belonging to the order of Cluny. It is dedicated to Saint Mamert, one of the first bishops of Vienne, whose tomb is kept in the former church of the Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Vienne, now a lapidary museum. Around 470, Saint Mamert had instituted the Rogations in order to protect agriculture from the frosts: these were processions that took place during the 3 days preceding the Ascension. It is part of the popular tradition of the saints of ice with Saint Pancrace and Saint Servais (11,12 and 13 May).

Located on a promontory, it offers a view of the agricultural plains and, in the distance, of the Pilat massif.

The Saint-Martin des Côtes-d'Arey church underwent a renovation in 2022 which made it possible to consolidate its structure. Rebuilt several times from 1852 on the basis of the old church, it is attached to the same parish as the chapel of Saint-Mamert, located a few streets away.

The chapel of La Salette dates from the 11th century. Located in a valley, bordering meadows and orchards, it is the starting point for many hikes. Here, you meet the pilgrims of Santiago de Compostela.