Discover Chasse-Sur-Rhône: Culture and History

Chasse-Sur-Rhône has several historical and cultural themes that show the town from different perspectives: medieval origins, buildings from various centuries, industrial history and digital cultural outreach. If you are looking for hotels in Chasse-Sur-Rhône, these themes can help you first get a sense of the destination’s cultural character. The following sections give you an overview of the history of its buildings, the château’s present-day use and other aspects of the town.

The Château: Medieval Origins, Present-Day Use

The Château de Chasse dates back to the Middle Ages. Today, it is used mainly by cultural and social associations, including the MJC and the music school. This brings two different chapters of its history together: the building’s medieval origins and its present-day role in community life. Keeping these distinct helps avoid confusing its historical significance with its current use.

The Château de Chasse-sur-Rhône is also home to the Micro-Folie, a digital museum with collections from twelve national museums. Its offerings include virtual reality tours of historical and cultural sites. Digital outreach thus complements the château’s architectural history with its own way of engaging with art and culture. For planning your trip, these are distinct points of interest: the historic building itself and the collections and places presented digitally.

Buildings and Layers of History

Other buildings also offer a glimpse into different periods. The Lavoir is dated to the 11th century; the Église Saint Martin dates from the beginning of the 20th century. The Chapelle St Martin tells a different story: it was dismantled in 1927 and taken to the United States. Only traces remain on site. The three examples therefore represent very different historical paths: an early date, a more recent building, and a chapel whose history was shaped by its dismantling and transportation.

The Château des Estournelles dates back to the late 16th century and was remodeled in the neoclassical style at the end of the 19th century. It bears the “Patrimoine en Isère” label, which recognizes its heritage value as a building of departmental interest. The changes to the Château des Estournelles can therefore be placed in context: its origins were followed by a later renovation, while the label identifies its heritage significance.

Chasse-Sur-Rhône’s industrial history includes the Société des Hauts Fourneaux, founded in 1855, and the blast furnace it installed in Chasse. This adds the history of business and technology to the story of the châteaux, the Lavoir and the church. When exploring the town, you can consider these themes separately: historic buildings tell the story of different periods, while the Société des Hauts Fourneaux represents a chapter in industrial history.

Gorneton and Outdoor Art

Gorneton is a stream with the character of a mountain brook, confined at the bottom of a small gorge. The “Le Gorneton” Sentier Art-Nature is a biennial event. Artists create works for it, using at least some materials found on site. The tenth edition took place in May 2025. The combination of art and found materials gives the event a distinctive focus, different from the town’s architectural and industrial history. If you want to plan your trip around a date, check the event schedule for your planned stay.

A Practical Note About the Train

Chasse-sur-Rhône station has a TER ticket vending machine for regional tickets; payment by card is possible. Station services may change. If you plan to use the machine for your train journey, check the TER information for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Savas-Mépin, Montagnieu, Jarrie, Allevard, Mont-De-Lans, Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux, Huez, Pont-de-Chéruy

For the broader travel overview: Isere.