From one treasure to another : nature walks around the Courtenay ponds

Bienvenue à Courtenay, commune située au centre des Balcons du Dauphiné dans le Nord-Isère. Découvrez l'observatoire de l’étang de Salette, l'étang de pêche du marais de Lancin, les châteaux médiévaux, l'église et les toits typiques de notre région.C’est la seconde commune la plus vaste des Balcons du Dauphiné après Les Avenières-Veyrins-Thuellin. Le nom de la commune viendrait du latin « cortena » que l’on pourrait traduire par jardin ou petite cour, soulignant l’importance de la culture de la terre. Le village ne date pas d’hier, puisque l’occupation par les Celtes et les Gaulois à l’époque gallo-romaine est attestée. De nombreuses fouilles y ont été menées. On a notamment retrouvé 9 sites funéraires distincts et 16 nécropoles médiévales datées entre le VIIe siècle et le XIe siècle. 1. Courtenay et son patrimoine - L'église paroissiale Saint-Martin : bâtie sur les ruines d’un autel païen déjà évoqué au IXe siècle, elle conserve son clocher datant du XIVe siècle. Le reste de l’édifice date de la fin du XIXe siècle. Vous pourrez observer à l’intérieur de l’église la cuve baptismale et le groupe allégorique sculpté sur le tympan. Ce dernier illustre la scène du partage du manteau du saint évangélisateur de la Gaulle. A ce titre, plus de 3000 églises lui sont dédiées en France. L'édifice abrite également la tombe de Louis de la Balme de Montchalin qui fut curé de Quirieu, Morestel et Courtenay. Les châteaux et maison-forte de Courtenay : on peut noter qu’aucun édifice ne fut pillé ou détruit lors de la Révolution française. - Le château de Lancin (site privé) : datant de la fin du XIXe siècle, il est inscrit aux monuments historiques en 2014 (totalité du château, façades et toitures, une partie des écuries et une partie du parc). Sa date de construction est estimée à la fin du XIXe siècle. Il est construit par l’architecte lyonnais Louis Rigoct (1845-1879) dans un style néo-gothique (faux machicoulis, fausses meurtrières). - La maison-forte de Montchalin (site privé) : datant du XVe siècle, on doit sa construction à Antoine de La Balme de Montchalin. Il est entouré d’un grand parc de 40 hectares. L’édifice est notamment reconnaissable à ses 4 imposantes tours rondes crénelées. Il est restauré en 2000. - La maison forte de Boulieu (site privé) : datant du XVe siècle, elle possède une remarquable tour d’angle. Elle est rénovée à la fin du XXe siècle. - La maison-forte de By : du premier édifice datant du XVe siècle, il ne reste plus que le clocher. Le reste de l’édifice est attribué au XVIIe siècle. Elle abrite aujourd’hui le centre équestre de By. - La maison-forte de Tirieu (site privé) : datant du XIVe siècle, elle aurait appartenu au Commandeur de l’Ordre du Temple, puis à l’ordre des chevaliers de Malte. Elle a perdu sa seconde tour et la chapelle qui était dans son parc. On raconte que non loin, dans les bois de Pierre-Faye, les Maures de passage sur le territoire auraient laissé leur trésor à Courtenay, n’ayant pas le temps de l’emporter… - Le temple de Tirieu (site privé) : ancienne commanderie templière située à Tirieu ; elle est citée dans le cartulaire de la commanderie de Vaulx sous le titre "membre de Tirieu"établie à la fin du XIIe siècle/début du XIIIe siècle. Dès le milieu du XVIIIe siècle, l’édifice est mis au service de l’agriculture et de l’élevage. - Les ruines de la chapelle Saint-Roch (à proximité de la salle polyvalente Saint-Rô) : suite aux découvertes de vestiges, on estime que le site a accueilli une villa datant de l’époque gallo-romaine. Les vestiges de la chapelle de style gothique sont quant à eux datés du XVIe siècle. Sur la clé de voûte est inscrit le nom de la famille à l’origine de sa construction « La Balme ». Elle a été rénovée en 2013. - Le patrimoine vernaculaire composé : vous trouverez à Courtenay plusieurs fontaines dispersées dans ses hameaux, ainsi que des lavoirs, des fours, deux croix de jubilé et un ancien pressoir, notamment dans le centre-bourg de Courtenay et dans les hameaux de Lancin, Tirieu, Chanizieu, Boulieu ou encore Poleyrieu. 2. Courtenay coiffé de toits dauphinois Parler de Courtenay, permet aussi d’évoquer les traditionnels toits dauphinois caractéristiques de l'architecture locale. Ils sont reconnaissables à leur charpente à quatre pans et à leur couverture en tuiles plates en écailles. On trouve également des toits à mantelures. Ces toits possèdent une série de dalles disposées comme des escaliers sur le côté du mur pignon. Ces dalles sont aussi appelées "manteaux" ou "couvertines". Elles servent à protéger les murs de la maison contre l'humidité et les incendies, une précaution importante à l'époque où les toits étaient faits de chaume. Pour cette raison, elles dépassent de chaque côté du toit. Au sommet, il est possible d’observer un morceau de silex en forme de pain de sucre, nommé "le charvet rond", qui ajoute une touche finale originale à ces toits. 3. Courtenay, côté nature Dans ce village, l’espace est surtout occupé par les étangs et les forêts, où la nature a une place dominante dans le paysage. Ainsi, il n'est pas surprenant que le nom Courtenay, en patois local “Cortena”, dérive du latin “Curtis” qui signifie “jardin”. - L'observatoire ornithologique de l'étang de Salette est un incontournable de la commune. Ce petit chalet en bois sur pilotis offre une vue imprenable sur les oiseaux dans leur habitat naturel, promettant une expérience paisible et éducative pour toute la famille. - L'étang du Marais de Lancin recèle une grande variété de poissons tels que brochets, perches, tanches, carpes, poissons blancs et même carpes de nuit ! Ce paradis des pêcheurs est même accessible aux cyclistes puisqu’il est tout proche de ViaRhôna.

Observing and listening to the birds in their natural environment is an activity which will delight the whole family. There are 130 species of birds, including the Little Bittern, Black Kite, or Kingfisher. The Great Crested Grebe and Coot can be easily spotted.

Stay in an authentic setting, in one of the three spacious guest rooms of the Maison Forte de Courtenay, in the heart of the Balcons du Dauphiné. Breakfast is served in the dining room or on the covered terrace, depending on the weather.Second floor: - Bedroom 1: a double bedroom with a large fireplace, a desk, 2 beds 90 x 200 cm (possibility of combining for a king size bed 180 x 200 cm) - Private shower room and toilet in the bedroom. - Bedroom 2: large lounge with piano, fireplace and sofa bed (160 cm) - adjoining room furnished with a 180 cm bed and a convertible armchair for a comfortable extra bed (90 cm). Private shower room with walk-in shower and toilet. On the third floor of the building : - Double bedroom with exposed beams. This superb, plush roof frame once supported a heavy roof covered with ‘lauzes’ (stone slabs). This room has a 160 cm bed and a 90 cm extra bed. Private bathroom with walk-in shower and toilet.

Housed in an old farmhouse less than an hour from Lyon in the Balcons du Dauphiné, Brasserie du Palais produces top-fermented, unfiltered and unpasteurised beers to tantalise your taste buds. No consumption on site.Brasserie du Palais offers a permanent range: Blonde: This light beer will quench your thirst with the sweetness of its malt and the floral and fruity flavours of the hops and yeast used. Blanche: This white beer, or wheat beer, will quench your thirst with the freshness of its ingredients and its citrus notes. In 2024, it joined the range of beers awarded the Gold Medal at the Concours International de Lyon. Ambrée : This amber beer, with its coppery colour, is full-bodied with notes of caramelised malts, and is just waiting to be savoured. Ipa'lais: This IPA is a tasting beer with a frank but non-aggressive bitterness and a bouquet of intense fruity aromas. Ephemeral beers are also available (white with fresh mint leaves, smoked, triple, fumalt, enthousiasmente, optomn'ale, oh Palais de Noël). All our beers are available in 33cl, 75cl and 20L kegs. The brewery's commitments : Brasserie du Palais uses ingredients that come from organic farming and are as local as possible: - 3/4 of the Malts are grown in the Rhône-Alpes region and come from a local and responsible artisanal Maltery based in Haute-Savoie and the Hops are French and come from the Alsace cooperative. - 100% of our hops are organic and French from independent hop growers and 2/3 of our hops are grown in the Rhône-Alpes region. - Gradual introduction of the 75cl bottle deposit by working with "Alpes Consigne". Services : - Visits and tastings: Visits by appointment - Schedule to follow on social networks. - Brewing workshops: Collective brew - 12x33cl of your production to collect, gift voucher for you or one of your loved ones.... or for any request to organise a visit*. - Tapping machine hire: 20L and 30L kegs, several recipes available, free hire for orders of 2 kegs or more - by prior arrangement. - Personalised labels: for birthdays, weddings or business gifts*. - Professionals and associations*: special rates and the possibility of team-building brewing workshops to bring your staff together. For more information and a quote, please contact Brasserie du Palais.

The Paradis family decided to set up in the countryside, in this former mill dating from the 12th century, to create a warm and friendly place in a bucolic setting. Come and enjoy simple, hearty fare (omelettes, savoury pancakes, crêpes...) by the ViaRhôna.You can also stop off for a drink and/or a sweet treat.

Whether you're looking for a drink or a bite to eat, La Table de Serm' is sure to please! Share convivial moments at the bar (where sports events are broadcast), on the terraces for aperitifs, and in the dining rooms to try out the various dishes!The restaurant offers : - Bowls (appetizers consisting of a salad base or vinegared rice and a number of toppings such as avocado, shrimp, chicken, beef, peppers, tomatoes, seeds, cabbage...) - Salads such as honey chicken salad and salmon salad.... - Asian, Lebanese, Mexican, charcuterie and cheese boards... - Main courses, mainly meat dishes such as beef ribs, rib steaks, flank steaks, flank steaks, burgers, beef tartare, prawn plancha and octopus plancha. The bar area has a modern, industrial feel, with live music. It is equipped with screens showing sports events. You'll find a wide range of Goudale beers (IPA, Blonde, Ambré, Blanche, Brune), softs, stronger spirits like whisky, gin, vodka.... and various cocktails. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

The Bistrot des Saveurs in Arandon-Passins offers local, seasonal cuisine, with 2 or 3 suggestions that change every weekend. A friendly atmosphere around a glass of wine or a shared table. Private hire available for your events.Whether you're on your own, with family or friends, sit down to a glass of wine over a ‘Middle’, share a meal on our large convivial table, or enjoy a more intimate moment at your own table. Our team is here to listen to you and adapt dishes to suit your dietary preferences or allergies. With homemade recipes, locally produced meats and vegetarian options, there's something for everyone. Le Bistrot des Saveurs is also available for private or corporate events. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Le restaurant A Portuguesa vous invite à savourer l'authentique cuisine portugaise à Morestel grâce à une carte variée mettant à l'honneur des saveurs du Portugal dans une ambiance chaleureuse et conviviale, à déguster sur place ou à emporter.Ce restaurant familial vous propose des plats préparés avec des ingrédients frais et de qualité : viande, poisson, fruits de mer, beignets et autres provenant directement du Portugal pour arriver dans votre assiette. Voyagez grâce à décoration festive qui capture l'esprit des fêtes populaires portugaises. La partie traiteur est toujours disponible et présente en salle.

"Les étangs de la Serre" are three lakes located in a wooded environment, with various facilities (picnic areas, games, toilets, barbecues). The eastern part of the site is borded by the Via Rhôna,a cycling route."Les étangs de la Serre", in the boundaries of Courtenay and Arandon-Passins villages, constitute a 42ha natural area. Composed of three lakes, woodland, reed beds, and hedges, the site has a rich environment (it is also part of the European Natura 2000 network and the Save sensitive natural area). Because of its area and the many protected and threatened species, it is a key area in Isle Crémieu and a key challenge for the preservation of the biodiversity. This site also has a strong recreational and natural value for the locals. It is managed by the Balcons du Dauphiné Community of towns and villages and the Department of Isère. Completed in 2016, the Via-Rhôna, which runs alongside the eastern part of the site, reinforces its recreational character and allows easy access to the lakes. Several low impact facilities allow you to take full advantage of this site while taking into account the environment. Playground for children, picnic areas (tables, kiosks, barbecues), toilets,... A path also runs around the lakes. Fishing is authorized in some sections of the lakes (rules and guidelines are available on the site) in order to blend the leisure aspect successfully with the natural heritage. Nature outings are organised during the summer with guides. These free trips, open to all, are an opportunity to discover the site's flora and fauna with a specialist.

In the past, this site was an alkaline swamp through which the Save flowed. Locals came here to harvest the hay from the wetlands and collect peat to heat their houses.Today, following the re-routing of the Save and the industrial exploitation of peat for horticulture, the swamp disappeared, giving way to a succession of lakes on both sides of the Save. There are more than 745 species surveyed, some with strong heritage value, like the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), the Least bur-reed (Sparganium minimum), and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). The landscape is marked by its geological history. One of its peculiarities is the presence in a same place of a rocky outcrop polished and streaked by the Würm glacier, of moraine deposits and of ancient peat, which allow the history of the last glaciation to be traced.

The "Lac de Save" has an astonishing biodiversity : the European Beaver and the European Pond Turtle have completly settled here ! A partly-arranged path on wood gives you the opportunity to fully discover this land.80,000 years ago, the Isle Crémieu region was covered in a hundreds of meters layer of ice. It probably looked like Alaska does today. The Isère glacier remained here for ten thousands of years before disappearing, only 15,000 years ago. The glacier resculpted the landscape, hollowing it out and leaving behind various deposits. As the glacier melted, the basins became impermeable and turned into lakes, which gradually filled in over several thousand years to form vast wetlands and swamps. The Save Lake is a relic of these post-glacier lakes. Its morphology, with a depth of 15 meters and abrup banks, is typical of the work of a glacier. This lake will fill in eventually, as the peatland banks gradually encroach upon its surface area. The timescale of this phenomon goes way beyond that of the life of humans; it will take about 15,000 years for the lake to be transformed into marshland!

In the nature reserve, the succession of wetlands (lakes, swamps, ponds) and dry areas (dry grassland, juniper heaths, boxwood formations, oak forests) is typical of Isle Crémieu.Key numbers: 161 hectares, 85 habitats, 650 plant species, 180 bird species, 35 mammal species, 49 dragonfly species. This mosaic of environments is a fundamental element to explain the interest of the site. One of the factors of this diversity is water: from its absence (dry grassland) to its gradual presence (marshy areas and ponds) or variable (temporarily flooded banks), it dictates where species settle, according to their requirements (the European Pond Turtle that lives in wetlands and breeds in dry grasslands is a good illustration of this balance). For many generations, this site has been a place for agricultural, fishing and hunting activities, and it shaped the environment and influenced the presence of species. During thirty years, the change in traditional practices led to the degradation of natural areas. Management of the Regional Nature Reserve is now carried out with local and institutional stakeholders, within an advisory management committee, with the aim of bequeathing this natural heritage to future generations. The actions chosen are directed towards reasoned practices and maintaining open spaces by mowing, grazing and controlling water levels. The management of the reserve must enable the mosaic of habitats to be preserved, a symbol of the natural and cultural heritage, characteristic of Isle Crémieu. This diversity of habitats hosts a large number of species, many of which are considered as sensitive. Particular attention is paid to rare species for which the reserve plays an important role in terms of population (European Pond Turtle, Green Tree Frog, Red Pasqueflower, Carex Bohemica, Golden Dock). The manager organises numerous guided tours every year to introduce the reserve to the general public and schoolchildren.

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'.