Miribel: Cultural Heritage and River Landscapes

Miribel combines impressive cultural heritage with themes related to the Rhône river landscape. When choosing a hotel in Miribel, you can consider what you want your stay to focus on: historic buildings and art in town, or nature and walks in the surrounding area. This way, you can tailor your search for a destination to the interests that bring you to Miribel.

Getting there and the Madone

Miribel centre is one of Miribel’s two railway stations. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetables separately. A prominent landmark is the statue of Notre Dame du Sacré-Cœur in Mas Rillier: it is 33 metres high and was inaugurated on 5 July 1941. An interior staircase with 151 steps leads to a balcony in the statue’s crown. From there, the view takes in Miribel, Grand Parc Miribel-Jonage, the Lyon metropolitan area, the Alpine range and Mont Blanc.

The Madone site is inaccessible in 2025 and 2026 due to rehabilitation work related to the Madone project. If you are planning a visit, check current access arrangements beforehand. The staircase and viewpoint are special features of the site, but should be considered in light of the access arrangements in force.

River landscapes and walks

Île de Miribel-Jonage has been designated an Espace Naturel Sensible since 2014. The 668.81-hectare river island area also includes Miribel; Grand Parc Miribel-Jonage forms a Natura 2000 zone. The ENS area is home to a wide variety of habitats and species linked to the development of the Rhône river system. Alongside the buildings, the landscape history of the river island is therefore also a central focus.

A visitor route through the ENS area follows agricultural tracks and forest paths. Ten stops explore the river landscapes, and an audio guide is also available to download. Nearby, L’îloz’ in Grand Parc Miribel-Jonage offers permanent and temporary exhibitions, gardens, events and performances. Numerous walks accessible to a wide audience start from there. As the seasonal programme may change, it is worth checking event dates before your trip.

Church and historical heritage

Église Saint-Martin preserves several elements of its Gothic architecture: the choir, the crossing, a side chapel and part of the bell tower. The church also houses a Gothic altarpiece, classified as a Monument historique since 1928, as well as several listed polychrome wooden statues. The church is one of Miribel’s oldest historical landmarks and preserves more than seven centuries of religious, social and heritage history.

Smaller monuments also tell the story of the town. The Croix de la fontaine de Saint-Romain on Place Henri-Grobon is a classified 19th-century cross. In 1832, it was converted into a fountain with three troughs, supplied by the Source des Vingt. The cross, fountain and spring come together here in a single historic structure.

Frescoes and public art

The Fresque de la Place Grobon in the heart of Miribel is a 100 m² trompe-l’œil by 7ème Sens. It was inaugurated on 5 July 2013 and depicts Henri Grobon, Joséphine Guillon, Henri Deschamps and Jean Moulin. The Fresque des Bateliers in Saint-Martin recalls Miribel’s river history and illustrates the importance of the Rhône to the region’s economic and social development. Together, the two works show how public art explores local history and memory in different ways.

The Fresque des Frères Garnier pays tribute to two local figures and symbolises the spirit of brotherhood and community engagement in Miribel. The February/March 2026 municipal cultural magazine regularly lists concerts by the Carillon du Mas Rillier that are open to the public. If you want a concert to be a highlight of your stay, check the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Bois, Oncieu, Sainte-Julie, Pérouges, Saint-Jean-Le-Vieux, Ramasse, Vongnes, Prévessin-Moëns.

For the broader travel guide: Ain.