Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans: Romanesque Church and the Ain

In Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, local cultural and historical landmarks sit alongside leisure activities on the Ain. The Église Saint-Maurice is a Romanesque building; canoeing and swimming are also local activities. You can shape your stay around a visit to the church, a water-based activity, or both.

Église Saint-Maurice: Building History and Mural Painting

The Église Saint-Maurice is a Romanesque building dating from the 12th century. It was classified as a historic monument by decree on April 24, 1909. Two different dates are therefore important in understanding the site: the age of the church and its later classification as a monument.

The nave and choir contain the work “Peinture monumentale: scènes du Nouveau Testament.” It dates from the 15th century and includes scenes from the Passion and the Resurrection. If you are interested in the church, you can take in both the Romanesque building and a later work with New Testament themes.

The church is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; admission is free. Check opening hours before your visit. You can also listen to the free short audio tour “Visite audio flash: Saint Maurice: l’histoire d’une église merveilleuse.” It is available to listen to at any time each day; also check its digital availability in advance.

Fountains, Wayside Crosses, and Getting There

The historic features of Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans include old fountains. Numerous wayside crosses line the paths around the village. Alongside the church, these details offer further specific points of interest for a stay focused on local history and the village’s traditional landmarks.

Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans is accessible via the A42 Lyon–Geneva motorway. You can use the A42 as a guide when planning your journey.

Canoe Trips and Swimming on the Ain

Canoeing on the Ain is one of the local outdoor activities. For trip planning, Canoë Club SMG offers five possible routes on the Ain, ranging from 5 to 36 kilometers. The listed starting points are Blyes, Chazey, Gévrieux, and Priay. There is also a two-day option with a bivouac from Pont-d’Ain. You can consider the route length, starting point, and explicitly two-day option separately. Check the specific starting points and operating hours before planning, as these may change.

Swimming is also possible as a local leisure activity: people swim in the cool, clear water where the Ain and Rhône meet. This offers another way to enjoy the river besides canoeing. Check conditions and access locally.

A Glimpse of Local Farm Life

At Aux délices des Roches, you can visit the goats. Cheese, farm products, and other handcrafted products are sold on site. The visit combines an encounter with the animals with a specific range of products for sale. Product availability may vary seasonally; check the arrangements for visits in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois, Vescours, Malafretaz, Pont-De-Vaux, Pont-D’ain, Ardon, Montréal-La-Cluse, Servignat

For the broader travel overview: Ain.