Discover Chonas-L'amballan: Château, village history and alluvial forest

Chonas-L'amballan brings together a medieval château, village art, a reconstructed section of a Gallo-Roman road and the Gerbey alluvial forest. These themes offer different starting points for your stay: architectural and local history, traces of the past or nature. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay in Chonas-L'amballan, you can first decide which of these interests will be the deciding factor for your trip.

Château and village history

The Château de Chonas dates back to the Middle Ages and was added to the supplementary list of historic monuments on July 12, 2000. In the Middle Ages, it was a fortress entirely enclosed by walls; in the 15th century, it became a pleasure residence. Its history can therefore be divided into two distinct phases of use: the walled fortress was followed by the residence. The south façade sits on higher ground and offers views across the plain and the valley from Reventin-Vaugris to Auberives, as well as toward the first foothills of the Vercors.

The village's architectural history also includes the washhouse of Chonas-l'Amballan, built on April 11, 1889. A fresco in the village was created by a group of twelve students from Lycée Jeanne d’Arc in Péage de Roussillon. Alongside the château's history, there is therefore a dated village building and a mural created collectively.

Gallo-Roman traces

Gallo-Roman history also takes concrete form in a reconstructed section of road, installed in Chonas-L'amballan on Friday, March 29, 2024. The section consists of granite slabs dated approximately to the end of the second half of the 1st century or the beginning of the 2nd century AD. The installation date and the archaeological dating refer to different time periods: the installation in 2024 and the approximate date of the slabs.

Natural areas and trails

In the Espace Naturel Sensible de la forêt alluviale de Gerbey, wet woodland and a reed bed provide a natural habitat for birds. The Gerbey alluvial forest is also home to the rare Epipactis du castor orchid, endemic to the middle Rhône Valley. A habitat for birds and a plant species of regional distinction thus offer two different ways to experience nature.

The Sentier du Milan Noir is a circular route from the village of Chonas-L'amballan to the body of water, starting at the town hall car park. As trail conditions can change, check the current situation before setting out. In the Espace Naturel Sensible, the area designated for activities is limited to a clearing. An out-and-back trail leads past a small educational pond to the poplar grove.

For Les Gnolus – L’art et la pranière, download the free « Les Gnolus » app for iOS and Android. Then create an account, choose a hike and follow clues on site to find a Gnolu. Check the app's availability in advance.

A nearby hiking trail has heritage information panels, an orientation table and markers linked to a guidebook. Trail facilities may be updated.

Weekly market

The weekly market includes a cheese and dairy products seller, a pizza vendor, and a butcher, charcuterie seller and caterer. The vendors may change over time.

Discover more destinations: Oris-en-Rattier, Seyssinet-Pariset, Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux, Château-Bernard, La Motte-Saint-Martin, Pont-Evêque, Villard-De-Lans, Saint-Pierre-D'allevard.

For the broader travel overview: Isere.