Around the Castle of Virieu

Built in 1010. Military heritage and french gardens characterize this monument which offers visitors some beautiful rooms : you would particularly enjoy Louis XIII's room, the medieval kitchen, the XVIIe chapel and the peculiar dunjeon.Come and discover the Virieu's castle during a one hour visit with our team of tour guide. You will start your visit in front of an impressive entrace door with 2115 original nails, topped by its pediment, bearing the Virieu coat of arms. Then, you will be in the castle's court of honor, just in front of its dungeon. You can see at your right the cannons offered by Louis XIII in 1622, placed under the arcade gallery in brick of Italian style. A few steps and you will be in the peaceful atmosphere of Virieu's chapel. Inside of it, you will discover the Way of the Cross sculpted by Stéphanie de Virieu at the age of 80. With a few steps under the gallery, you can access to the ancient kitchen, which now used as a dining room. You will discover the monumental fireplace with its low arch and its XIIIth century fireback, a souvenir of the ancient Chartreuse de la Sylve Bénite. You will also be able to appreciate its furniture before entering the Great Hall full of history. The King's bedroom, impressive and majestic room, called like that because the King Louis XIII slept there in 1622, has kept its original aspect and part of its furniture. You will then reach the White Room, which should have been a chapel. The visit touch to its end near the dungeon, which is now a memorial place dedicated to the Resistance during German's occupation from 1940 to 1944.

Since 1872, the Bigallet family has been perpetuating the art of making syrups and liqueurs from fruits and plants with the same processes. Our secrets are well kept, but our expertise has been recognized for more than 150 years.Enter in the world of Bigallet! Visit our shop and gallery located in the heart of the factory. A space that will allow you to discover all our products and the history of the success of the family business. Also live the unique experience of visiting our manufacturing workshops and discover the secrets of making our syrups and liqueurs (by reservation only). Founded in 1872, the house Bigallet is a family business specializing in the artisanal manufacture of syrups and spirits. The naturalness is a strong commitment taken by the society, for its syrups as for its alcohols. Nestled at the foot of the Alps, in Isère, Bigallet belongs to the French heritage of century-old, family and authentic companies. ----- Committed to fair trade and social support projects in Brazil, Bigallet has obtained the "For Life" and "Fair For Life" certification issued by Ecocert Environment.

This museum retraces the History of the clog, a shoe made with a leather upper and a wooden sole.The clog, hoof's cousin... We often mistake one for the other, yet the difference is simple : the hoof is entirely shaped from a piece of wood, while the clog is composed of a wooden sole on which is nailed the upper part, the "Tige", made of leather. The clog, disregarded in most shoe museums, is highlighted in Isère in the only place entirely dedicated to it in France : the Clog museum. Great by the evocative power, this summary of heritage carries the memory of the clog's industrial activity. This museum is a place of memory, with the identical reconstruction of the workshop of a galochier (persons who makes clogs), which makes it a unique site in France. This workshop takes the visitor back in time. Leather coupons, wooden soles, laces, nails, sewing machine, grooving lathe, coal stove ... with of course a multitude of models of galoshes. Hundreds of tools arranged according to the stages of the confection, everything is there, as if the galochier was going to cross the door to get back to work. Visitors can feel the old atmosphere through this warm and out of time workshop. An exceptional visit and a rare moment in a wonderful heritage that pays a moving tribute to our ancestors.

Follow the steps of the forerunner of Impressionism. Along the lecterns discover the landscapes, towns and life scenes that inspired the painter.

A family-friendly heritage trail starting from the town hall, punctuated by 14 markers, including 4 in the château gardens (accessible during opening hours). For each marker, you'll have to answer a question.Approximately 3km and 1h30. It's easy to get started. All you have to do is pick up a map (free, available from one of the region's 2 tourist offices (Pont-de-Beauvoisin or La Tour-du-Pin) and set off in search of the markers that point to remarkable sites (monuments, trees, paths, etc.). Two other routes are available in St Jean-d'Avelanne (on foot or mountain bike) or La Tour du Pin (urban).

Virieu sur Bourbre train station is located on the line Lyon / Grenoble line. All regional trains allow free transport of bicycles according to available space (not accepted in coaches)