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Walking in the footsteps of the history of the village of Saint-Marcel-Bel-Accueil
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CRÉMIEU, CITÉ MÉDIÉVALE:
Alerte visiteurs
Difficulté de stationnement lors de grandes manifestations.
IGN cards
Description
Leaving from Saint-Marcel-Bel-Accueil, this loop takes you to the heights of the village for an immersive journey through nature and history.
After a straightforward climb, the walk alternates between shaded and open areas, offering magnificent views of the local heritage and the Alps, which can be appreciated all the more from the orientation table set up along the way.
The last part of the walk takes you through the village and its traditional houses, whose golden hues add a touch of charm to this escapade.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Additional information
Open period
All year round daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Updated by
Office du Tourisme Les Balcons du Dauphiné - 24/11/2025
www.balconsdudauphine-tourisme.com/
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Environments
In the country
Panoramic view
Contact
Phone : 04 74 90 45 13
Email : tourisme@balconsdudauphine.fr
Website : https://www.balconsdudauphine-tourisme.com/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556501098829
Type of land
Stone
Ground
Grit
Not suitable for strollers
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
A walking guide entitled "Walking in the footsteps of the history of the village of Saint-Marcel-Bel-Accueil" (FFR - Balcons du Dauphiné Collection) is on sale at the Tourist Information Offices in Crémieu, Morestel, Les Avenières-Veyrins-Thuellin and Saint-Chef.
Reception complements
Hiking boots recommended.
History, culture and heritage
The fortified house of Loras :
The Loras family, was one of the oldest and most illustrious lineages in the Dauphiné, present between the XIIᵉ and XIXᵉ centuries. Their stronghold house, consisting of three rectangular-plan main buildings, complete with a square tower and a circular tower, has retained its original structure. The circular tower has ornate loopholes, allowing it to be dated to around the XVᵉ or XVIᵉ century. Since most of this building has been altered over the centuries, it is difficult difficult to give a precise date of construction.
The stained glass windows in the church :
The church of Saint-Marcel-Bel-Accueil is home to stained glass windows that are listed as Historic Monuments, not only for the quality of their workmanship but also for their historical and religious interest.
They depict scenes from the life of the parish's patron saint, Saint-Marcel.
They are the only ones in the Balcons du Dauphiné to benefit from this type of protection. They are the work of the workshop of Grenoble master glass artist Antoine Bernard, who has worked extensively in Isère (notably in Grenoble and for the sanctuary at La Salette) and in other regions. He was also responsible for several stained glass windows in neighbouring churches, including those in Vertrieu, Corbelin, Optevoz and Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas.
A discovery trail featuring QR codes will enable you to discover these works in greater detail.
The tragic events of 26 July 1944 :
On the stone wall opposite the church, you will see a plaque commemorating the tragic events that took place on 26 July 1944.
In the late morning, the Wehrmacht burst into Saint-Marcel-Bel-Accueil, informed by an informer of the presence of a Maquis camp in the nearby woods. Around fifty local people suspected of helping them were taken hostage: men, women and children. Some were coldly shot or hanged.
Ten of the hostages were lined up against the wall by the Gestapo while a detachment searched the woods and houses in the village. The search was in vain: the maquisards had already fled. The Nazis stopped their investigations and it wasn't until they left, at around 7pm, that the villagers could finally breathe a sigh of relief. That day, the village escaped a massacre on a much larger scale.
A booklet detailing these events, written by René Marcaud, is available free of charge on request from the Town Hall secretariat.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1- From the signpost "Saint-Marcel champ de foire", near the car park of the town hall, go towards Moréan along the cemetery.
At the cross, turn to the left, then to the right, and follow the road which rises and soon becomes a wide track leading to the post "Moréan".
2- First head towards "Gorge", then follow the signs for the Lavan cross. The track runs through a deciduous wood before reaching the hamlet of Loras.
Turn to the right and reach the post "Croix de Lavan".
3- Turn left, then right, following the signs for "Bois de Traversa" on a pleasant track through fields.
4- At the crossroads "Bois de Traversa", turn to the left towards "Sirens". Continue on a good track until you reach the first houses of a small hamlet.
Turn right. At the crossroads, go down to the left for about 100 m and don't miss the fork in the road on the left, which takes you on a path that makes a wide loop.
path that makes a wide loop. Reach the "Sirens" signpost.
5- From here, first on a dirt track, then on a tarmac road, head down towards Saint-Marcel-Bel-Accueil on the chemin du plâtre, then the montée de la cure.
Pass in front of the church and return to the town hall car park.
Animals
Yes. Pets allowed on lead only.
Data author
