Discover Montalieu-Vercieu

Montalieu-Vercieu borders the Rhône. The river is a focal point for leisure activities and for the development of the town. Topics range from water activities and cycling routes to places connected with the history of stone and culture. These different highlights can help you decide whether Montalieu-Vercieu matches your travel interests.

Water activities and cycling at Vallée Bleue

Vallée Bleue is a versatile leisure area on the banks of the Rhône, set in a remarkable natural landscape. Water activities include pedal boating, stand-up paddleboarding and mini-cruises on the Rhône. Boats are also available to rent, with or without a licence. The options vary by activity and boat type, so consider whether you would prefer a pedal-boat ride, stand-up paddleboarding, a mini-cruise or a rental boat. Each activity has its own seasonal opening times, so check the dates for the specific option you plan to enjoy.

Vallée Bleue is also on the ViaRhôna cycle route, which connects Lake Geneva with the Mediterranean Sea. For mountain biking, the FFCT base offers twelve circular routes of varying difficulty. This gives you two different types of cycling to consider: a cycle route between two named endpoints and circular routes with varying levels of difficulty. If you plan to include cycling in your trip, you can use these differences to decide which route format better suits your preferences.

Rides on the Chemin de Fer du Haut-Rhône

The Chemin de Fer du Haut-Rhône offers tourist train rides and Cyclo-Draisines, also known as Vélorails. An open-air ride between Montalieu Vallée and the Sault-Brénaz bridge takes about an hour. The Vélorail, or Cyclo-Draisine, ride goes through the forest and then along the Rhône; its stated duration is between one and one and a half hours. This makes it easy to distinguish the two durations and the different ride options when planning.

The railway operates seasonally. The equipment and how it operates may also vary by season. Before your trip, check the current ride dates and make sure you know which option is available during your preferred period. The approximate ride duration can help with planning your day, but does not replace checking the seasonal schedule.

Stone and local history

Montalieu-Vercieu’s development is connected with the quarrying of Pierre de Villebois and the Rhône. The Maison de la Pierre au Ciment reflects the importance of this material: its focus is on the stones of the region, the history of technical processes, and the people who have worked with this material in the past and continue to do so today. If you plan to visit, check the current access arrangements in advance.

The church of Montalieu also offers a glimpse into local architectural history. Built from local stone in 1833, it is dedicated to Saint Louis. One of its older stained-glass windows is a choir window depicting a French king. The church’s construction date, building material and windows offer different points of interest: the materials used on the one hand, and the imagery on the other.

The Lavoir du Luiron washhouse is connected to a short watercourse that feeds the Furon, a tributary of the Rhône.

The Espace Ninon Vallin is dedicated to culture and leisure. Its name commemorates a singer born in Montalieu-Vercieu. Together with the church, the washhouse and the Maison de la Pierre au Ciment, this place offers a variety of themes to explore: culture, architectural history, water and the region’s connection with stone. You can choose what to focus on during your stay, whether outdoor activities or local history and the story of stone as a material.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Vernas, Morêtel-de-Mailles, Chantelouve, Saint-Paul-lès-Monestier, Saint-Geoire-En-Valdaine, Paladru, Sainte-Luce, Le Sappey-En-Chartreuse.

For the broader travel guide: Isere.