Fontanil-Cornillon: Hiking, Culture and Nature

Fontanil-Cornillon lies at the foot of the Chartreuse Massif. If travelling by car, take exit 14 of the A48 to reach the town. The destination combines trails and views at Rocher du Cornillon with the history of the Chapelle du Palluel, art in the streetscape and nature themes at the Jardin de la Biodiversité. When planning your stay, you can first decide whether hiking, local history, culture or biodiversity should be the main focus. Each theme offers a different emphasis—from architectural traces on the rock to art and environmental education.

Hiking trails, remains of fortifications and valley views

The listed Rocher du Cornillon preserves remains of fortification walls and a water cistern. It is a destination for a walk and can be reached via several hiking trails. From the summit, there are views over the valley. Rocher du Cornillon thus combines tangible architectural traces with an experience of the landscape: the walls and cistern give the site a historical connection, while the summit view puts the valley panorama centre stage.

The building history of the Chapelle du Palluel

The Chapelle du Palluel was built in the 17th century as an oratory, using limestone from Fontanil-Cornillon. In the 18th century, its owners converted it into a chapel. Visitors can enter the building and admire the frescoes. The building material and the change from its original function to its later use as a chapel are two specific aspects of its history. The Chapelle offers a different way to explore the area than Rocher du Cornillon: here, the focus is on the building, its history of use and the frescoes.

Art and culture in the town

There are now 18 sculptures in the streetscape of Fontanil-Cornillon. The Parcours culturel offers a numbered, downloadable map that visitors can use to discover the town’s sculptures and frescoes. The Parcours des livres-chevalets offers a different perspective: it introduces walkers to the cultural, geological and natural history of Fontanil-Cornillon. The two cultural offerings therefore have different focuses—one centres on works of art, while the other explores the town’s history across several fields.

L’Atrium is in the heart of Fontanil-Cornillon and hosts performances, concerts, plays, cultural events and exhibitions. Regular exhibitions there showcase sculpture, painting and photography. This complements the art in the streetscape with an events programme featuring a range of art forms.

Nature and biodiversity

The Jardin de la Biodiversité includes dedicated refuge areas for fauna and flora. Their design takes into account, among other things, the needs of bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, as well as other insects and small mammals. This gives the garden a different focus from the art and cultural offerings: its emphasis is on habitats for plants and animals. Information panels and educational activities about the importance of environmental protection are planned.

Running events by year

For 2026, La Fontaniloise is listed as a 12-kilometre race with 800 metres of elevation gain; the start and finish are in the centre of Fontanil-Cornillon. Check the event details before taking part. In 2026, the Trail du Néron held its fifth edition. Saint-Egrève, Fontanil-Cornillon and Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux are listed as the starting communes for the Trail du Néron on 18 and 20 September 2026. These details complement the hiking opportunities with specific running information for the year.

Discover more destinations: Seyssinet-Pariset, Saint-Pancrasse, Grenay, Auris, Bernin, Le Bourg-D'oisans, Marnans, Choranche

For the broader travel overview: Isere.