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Exploring the charms of Chelieu, Isère, Rhône-Alpes

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Nestled in the heart of Isère, Chelieu is a picturesque town offering a unique experience of the Rhône-Alpes region. Visitors can immerse themselves in lush landscapes while discovering a charming local heritage. Begin your exploration with a refreshing walk on the tranquil trails surrounding the town, ideal for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. Don't miss the chance to visit the nearby forest...See more

Walking around Chelieu

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Hiking routes in Chelieu.
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Chélieu over hills and streams
55 m

Chélieu over hills and streams

A beautiful walk with water as a common thread, offering a fairly gentle start before embarking on a beautiful descent through the Gabelles ravine and then a crescendo return through the Combe stream. ROUTE Follow the town hall on your left and climb towards Hauts d'Envelump and Cote 568. Take time to admire the postcard panorama ! An orientation table gives the panorama details. From left to right, you can see the Bugey peaks, the Monts du Chat, the Epine range and the Chartreuse mountains. In the background, you can see Mont Blanc on a clear day. The path on the heights is very pleasant, lined with meadows and farmland. The view remains unobstructed as far as the Ravin des Gabelles before descending into undergrowth, never very far from the stream. When you reach Lézieu, cross the level crossing and take the path immediately to the left. Watch over the children for the first 200 metres near the tracks. After La Mollat, the small road and then the track go up through the Sauvagère woods towards Tancin, where you cross a small stream that often dries up in summer. Turn left onto the woodland track as far as Les Hayes, then walk on the road for the remaining 400 metres to reach the car park. WAYMARKING AND SIGNPOSTING From the car park, follow the yellow signs and the following junctions: Les Hauts d'Envelump > Côte 568 > Mollard des Mottes > Ravin des Gabelles > Lézieu > La Mollat > Tancin > Aux Hayes > Retour Chélieu-Mairie.

3 h
9 km
Easy
Parking mairie / école 38730 Chélieu
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Mountain bike circuit - The ridges path
2.3 km

Mountain bike circuit - The ridges path

An easy route with plenty of views of the Chartreuse, the Savoyard foreland and Mont Blanc in the background. Start from the church car park or directly from the town hall car park (50m away). This route is a must for cyclists looking for a panoramic ride with some of the best views in the Vals du Dauphiné and very little change in altitude. ROUTE The route quickly takes you out of the village. After crossing the D17, you take dirt tracks that you will almost never leave. As far as Mollard des Mottes, the path climbs slightly and offers beautiful views of meadows where cows graze, interspersed with groves. You then reach the ridges between Montagnieu and Chélieu, with beautiful views of the mountain ranges before you. At Cote 568, an orientation table shows you the panorama of the Chartreuse, the Savoyard foreland and, in the background, the Belledonne massif, Mont Blanc and the Ecrins. Continue up to Beauregard before turning right to head back towards Montagnieu. There are plenty of woods and cow meadows along the way. WAYMARKING AND SIGNPOSTING From the church car park, walk to the town hall (50m), then follow the yellow signs and the following junctions: Chemin de Feydel > Mollard des Mottes > Cote 568 > Les Hauts d'Envelump > Beauregard > (Le Feydel) > Chemin de Feydel > Return to MONTAGNIEU Around 600m before Le Feydel, it's advisable to take the road on your right, to go straight to Chemin du Feydel and Montagnieu, and avoid a difficult stretch of track.

2 h
7.2 km
Very easy
Parking de l'église 38110 Montagnieu
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Around the Castle of Virieu
2.9 km

Around the Castle of Virieu

A sportive ascent to reach the medieval castle of Virieu and discover panoramas on the valley of the Haute Bourbre and the summits of the Bugey, the Chartreuse and the Avant-Pays Savoyard. ROUTE From the church, you pace up and down through the streets of Virieu, a medieval village built at the foot of its castle. The picturesque charm of the village centre can be seen in the typical Dauphiné houses, the murals frescos recounting the history of the village, the Place du Trêve painted by the impressionist Jongkind and the wooden covered market hall with its gable roof made of tortoiseshell tiles. A map of the village is available from the town hall. Once you reach Le Trêve, head up towards the Château de Virieu either by the road or along a shady path (not recommended for mountain bikes or horses). You can visit the castle and the Galoche museum, which traces the history of this shoe, a cousin of the clog (depending on opening hours). Then, as far as the Croix de l'Homnézy, there are unobstructed views over the valleys and mountain ranges. Continue upwards pass the hunters' hut to reach Les Platières. Finally, you return to Virieu, overlooking the Bourbre valley. WAYMARKING AND SIGNPOSTING From the Virieu-sur-Bourbre SNCF station, follow the yellow signs to the village of Virieu (alternative starting point - car park in front of the church). From the church in Virieu, follow the yellow markings and the following signposts: > Le Trêve (2 options to go up to the castle : by the path (pass in front of the paddle wheel) or by the road (which goes up on your right at the Trêve crossroads)) > Château de Virieu > Les Cardelles > Croix de l'Homnezy > Les Platières > Les Tournelles > Le Trêve > Return to the village center parking lot or to the train station. Please note: add 2.2km (1.1km one way) if starting from the SNCF station.

3 h
7.9 km
Easy
Parking de l'église 38730 Val-de-Virieu
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What to do in Chelieu

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Plan a perfect day in Chelieu with our bookable activities.
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Virieu Castle
3.5 km

Virieu Castle

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.

1245, Rue du Château Virieu 38730 Val-de-Virieu
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What to visit in Chelieu

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Learn the history of Chelieu through its museums.
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Virieu Castle
3.5 km

Virieu Castle

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.

1245, Rue du Château Virieu 38730 Val-de-Virieu
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Where to eat in Chelieu

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Restaurants in Chelieu offer a friendly atmosphere.
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Where to sleep in Chelieu

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Stay near Chelieu with our lodging options.
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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾