Charette: Nature, Trails and Heritage

Charette brings together natural features and historic landmarks in a predominantly agricultural plain. For travellers weighing up nature, a walking trail and local history, the area’s distinctive features offer different ways to shape their stay. Charette lies at the junction of the RD 52c, an old route between Crémieu, Quirieu and the road to Lyon.

Nature and Trails

The Espace Naturel Sensible des Mares de Craquenot is located in the predominantly agricultural plain of the commune of Charette. It covers more than seven hectares and comprises a mosaic of natural habitats. Rare and protected amphibians, including the great crested newt and the European green toad, live in the ponds and flood zones. Nature enthusiasts can therefore focus both on the variety of habitats and on two specific amphibian species.

The “Petit tour en famille aux mares de Craquenot” trail is a shaded, family-friendly out-and-back hike through former gravel pits. The entry was updated on 25 July 2026. The trail information thus describes both the nature of the hike and the landscape it passes through.

Buildings and Village History

The Maison forte d’Ecottier dates from 1413; the Chapelle de La Craz was already in existence in 1613. The private Maison forte de Chassignon is distinguished by its mullioned windows. Thus, a dated building history and a specific architectural detail offer different ways to explore the heritage.

The present-day Eglise de Charette dates from 1893 and has stained-glass windows made of resin. Together with the mullioned windows of the Maison forte de Chassignon, these provide a specific comparison of different window styles. The five Fours de Charette offer a different architectural feature: they all share the same construction, and each oven is protected by a traditional roof frame. Their shared design is precisely what unites them.

Two Fontaines de Charette are still in use: one in the village centre near the Croix, the other in the hamlet of Chapieu. Fountains at two differently named locations in the commune thus form part of its historic landscape.

The Lavoir de Charette is a covered washhouse below the small stone bridge over the Furon. It represents an earlier communal washing practice, when women used the washhouse to do the laundry. Since the connection to the water supply in 1962–1963, this use has become a thing of the past. Unlike the chapel, fortified house and church, the lavoir thus points to a communal everyday function.

The Château de Vernay was built under Napoleon III. It was the site of experiments by Count Hilaire de Chardonnet, who invented artificial silk, or viscose. The construction period and the experiments are two distinct aspects of the château’s history: one places the building in time, while the other connects it with Chardonnet and his invention.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Appolinard, Vénérieu, Chantelouve, Bressieux, Ambel, Marnans, Le Touvet, Janneyrias.

For the regional travel overview: Isere.