Tramoyes: Nature and Local History

Tramoyes can be explored as a destination through two specific themes: the wetland landscape of the Marais des Échets and the town’s history, from the «sous le Port» archaeological site to Notre-Dame Church. The Marais extends across the areas of Tramoyes, Miribel and Mionnay. A 23-hectare section is listed and protected as a natural area. This protected status therefore applies to part of the larger wetland, not its entire area.

Natural Areas and Hiking Trails

The «Le Tour de Tramoyes» hiking trail runs through the heart of a Natura 2000 site and is noted for its biodiversity. The trail is listed as open year-round; seasonal conditions may nevertheless affect how comfortable it is to walk. «Grand Étang Neuf» passes through the Forêt du Noyer to the Étang du Gravier. The natural area associated with the trail is partly classified as a ZNIEFF because of its bird species and the flora of its ponds. The Étang du Gravier is now dry; a modest remnant remains.

The trails offer clearly distinct ways to explore nature: «Le Tour de Tramoyes» focuses on Natura 2000 and biodiversity. For «Grand Étang Neuf», the focus is shaped by the forest path, the bird species and pond flora of the surrounding natural area, and the dry Étang at the destination. This makes it possible to choose between the routes based on the landscape features described for each.

Church and Local History

After thirty years of efforts, the present-day Notre-Dame Church replaced the church that previously stood there at the end of the 19th century. Its collection includes 13 figurative stained-glass windows; one, in a transept rose window, depicts the council held in Tramoyes around 836. The number 13 refers to the collection as a whole, while the council is the subject of a single window. The event around 836 and the church’s construction therefore belong to distinctly different periods. Several furnishings are listed in the inventory of historic monuments, including the statue of the Virgin Mary on the forecourt.

The wooded, low Poype du Châtel has a circumference of about 100 metres. A tower structure stands on it and is now considered a ruin. Credible accounts from the mid-19th century describe it as an octagonal keep. The approximate circumference refers to the mound; the historical description of its shape refers to the tower.

At the «sous le Port» archaeological site, human settlement dates from the early Mesolithic to the Gallo-Roman period. Finds include flint, backed blades, points, notched microliths and pottery fragments. These archaeological details add a perspective to local history that reaches far back before the history of the church’s construction and furnishings.

Farm Shops

Ferme des Frênes and Chèvrerie du Colombier each operate a farm shop in Tramoyes. If you plan to shop directly from the farm, check opening hours before your visit so you can fit it into your day’s plans.

Discover more destinations: Attignat, Châtillon-la-Palud, Replonges, Francheleins, Messimy-Sur-Saône, Champagne-En-Valromey, Jayat, Meximieux

For the wider travel overview: Ain.