From the Château de Serrières to the Communaux de Trept : a journey back in time along the river

Cows, goats and sheep used this common lands until the 1960s. Then cereal crops were planted in the most fertile areas. Scrubland and woods took over the other areas, which were stony and steep.Nowadays, the Pulsatilles trail reveals a typical landscape where the limestone slabs cover the surface around the Stone of God and the Devil, standing like strange sentinels, vestiges of the ice age. Berry shrubs and flora adapted to a thin layer of arid soil flourish there. In the spring, walkers might come across lizards, grasshoppers and butterflies, and see the first lily of the valley, grasses, orchids, ferns, spurge and, of course, the site's emblem, the red pasqueflower, a rare and protected wild anemone with a beautiful dark garnet colour. Working together for biodiversity: IThe involvement of local people allowed the biodiversity to return! This 100ha Sensitive Natural Area, at the west of the village, is managed by politics with hunters (warrens building, trails maintenance), naturalists from the ADPE professional training organisation and Lo Parvi (scientific monitoring, educational events), farmers (grazing, controlling shrubs), quarrymen, neighbours, and, of course, hikers.

Built in the 15th century, the history of the Serrières castle blends with that of a powerful Dauphinoise family: La Poype. The castle offers an imposing silhouette with its battlements, its pepper pot turret and its admirable dungeon.This feudal fortress, the best preserved in the area, stands in the centre of a 40 hectare park, on an estate of 90 hectares. From its promontory, one can admire the vast and relaxing panoramas of the department of Isère and the Pré-Alpes. The last owner, Jean-François de la Poype, Count of Serrières, General of Empire (1758-1851) had to give up his ancestral castle in 1845. Serrières was acquired by Monsieur Louis. His descendants, the Misses Rochette, sold it to the Renaud family in 1965. After extensive conservation work, the Renaud brothers handed the property to a foundation for cultural and patrimonial purpose, recognised by public decree of 8 March 1995, which continued the restoration and the necessary adjustments to make the building into a venue for reception, seminars and a cultural activities, with regional events, theatre, folk art, exhibition of old tools... This site is inked to one in Crémieu where a group of buildings, along the ramparts, will house a cultural ensemble, reserved for "SINGULIERS OF ART", unique in the Lyonnaise region. In addition, the benefits offered to companies by the Patronage scheme allow them to consider any involvement in the development of the Foundation's sites, or any form of cultural operation.

The rooms are located in the heart of the Balcons du Dauphiné, in an old farmhouse that has been tastefully renovated and decorated. Sandrine and Sébastien offer you a warm welcome in a comfortable, rejuvenating setting on a 4-hectare property in the countryside.The 4 bedrooms are all on one level and can accommodate up to 5 people, for a total of 12. The property has an indoor swimming pool, children's games, table tennis and badminton kit. The parking lot is closed. You can also enjoy our table d'hôtes. Sandrine, the hostess, trained at the Paul Bocuse Institute. She treats her guests to seasonal home cooking, sourced from the market.

Stéphane welcomes you in an exotic setting just a stone's throw from your home. Terrace with panoramic view on the ponds. Menu and theme evenings set to the rhythm of the seasons. The establishment serves daily breakfasts in summer.

The Etang de Bas sensitive natural area brings together the typical landscapes of the Crémieu plateau. Immortalised by the artists from the Lyon's schools in the 19th century, it is a remarkable place where you can discover the local heritage. Orchid discovery trail.This remarkable site of over 60 hectares, located in the village of Siccieu-Saint-Julien-et-Carizieu is made up of a wide variety of natural characteristic of Isle Cremieu. The Bas lake and the Ravières cliffs are at the heart of an area which has been combining nature and culture for several centuries. Since the mid-18th century, this site was known as a favourite place for artists from the Lyon's schools, who came to immortalise these remarkable landscapes. Today, many rare and protected species cohabit in these different environments, in an exceptional site preserved for its ecological interest.

Located 40km away from Lyon, the medieval city of Crémieu has an authentic and impressive architectural legacy. The first buildings are from the 12th century. Thanks to the map of the town, with its numbered dots, you can discover all the interesting spots.A numbered itinerary, available free of charge from the information desks of the Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office, allows you to discover all the monuments. The emblematic monuments of Crémieu, Petite Cité de Caractère, include: - The Château Delphinal (12th century), from the top of its strategic promontory, bears witness to the town's development (not open to the public). - The fortified gates (14th century), including the Porte de La Loi, restored in 2023. - The market hall (15th century), unique in Isère, - The Augustinian convent built against the ramparts (14th-19th century) and its cloister (17th century). These are the visible traces of a past when Crémieu was an important military, economic and religious center of the first order. The medieval city of Crémieu is classified as a ZPPAUP (Urban and Rural Architectural Heritage Protection Zone).

Discover the picturesque, narrow streets of the old town, following the heritage trail along Rue François-Auguste Ravier. From the St Symphorien church to the Medieval Tower, the history of Morestel is waiting to be revealed... Follow the guide!Morestel has seduced many artists with its particular light. The picturesque medieval setting of the town only enhances the attractiveness and charm of this old fortified settlement... and Morestel has kept many traces of its past. Walk the narrow streets of the upper part of the town, commonly known as the 'Old Town'... Let yourself be guided by the Heritage Trail and discover Morestel's history. The village of Morestel developed at the base of a rock, beneath the castle, and was certainly within ramparts in the first half of the 14th century. It was accessed by two gates, the Saint Symphorien gate, whose remains are still visible in the wall and the Murine gate. These gates were linked by the single commercial street in the village, the 'Grande Vie' (Latin via, the way), called Rue Ravier since 1945. Outside, near the gates, the two suburbs developed. Crowded inside the walls, sometimes attached to the Castle ramparts, there were many houses, barns and garden, as well as residences of the local nobility, which were sometimes fortified: 'Strong Houses'.