Pays des vallons
Pays des vallons
The Pays des Vallons follows the meanders of the river Bourbre, and its rolling hills conceal a number of remains from the past including chateaux, rammed-earth houses and other examples of traditional architecture.
Leave Grenoble and head for La Tour du Pin. This town was the cradle of the last of the Dauphins, and still has a few fine façades. The church contains a Triptych, a monumental altarpiece dating back to the 16th century painted by Georg Penc.
Now go on to Bourgoin-Jallieu, French capital of textile finishing since the 17th century. Bourgoin-Jallieu museum bears witness to this know-how which has been handed down the generations in this region for the past two centuries.
Further on you will come to Villefontaine, a new town with an interesting architectural feature in the form of the Domaine de la Terre. This project demonstrates a desire to maintain the continuity between traditional and modern architecture using earth. 12 plots have been given over to different architects.
Next, stop off at Bonnefamille, with the Moidière chateau and animal park.
The historic chateau, dating back to Louis XIV, has a very fine roof in the typical Dauphinois style and a park given over to the native wildlife of Dauphiné.
Another remarkable building is worth a visit in Septême: its château.
Note the contrast between the imposing defensive architecture and the inner courtyard adorned with Renaissance loggias.
Round off the tour with a visit to the Musée Jean Devron, country painter (1889-1979) who lived in St-Jean-de-Bournay, before returning to Grenoble via La Côte Saint-André, the birthplace of composer Hector Berlioz.
Worth seeing:
Le Moulin recreation area at Meyrieu-les-Etangs
Nature trails
Worth tasting:
Vieille Dauphine liqueur, based on bitter oranges
Brioche from Bourgoin Jallieu
Chaudelets, aniseed-flavoured cakes
