Morestel: Art, City History and Views

If you are looking for a hotel in Morestel, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on during your trip: art and city history, a visit to the market or a cycling trip on the ViaRhôna will each take you to a different side of the town. Morestel offers concrete points of interest for all of these, from an artist’s house in the old town to historic buildings and a market with a wide variety of goods.

Art and History in the Old Town

The Maison Ravier is located in Morestel’s old town and is dedicated to the pre-Impressionist painter François Auguste Ravier. The museum has been awarded the “Maison des Illustres” designation. Its collection is devoted to Ravier and his painter friends, placing his artistic circle alongside the artist himself. For an art-historical focus in Morestel, it offers a distinctive way to explore the town.

The Maison Ravier includes a terrace planted with lime trees and a garden. From there, you can enjoy views of the Bugey and Chartreuse mountains, as well as the Belledonne and Vercors mountain ranges. The Maison Ravier thus combines its connection to painting with views of several named mountain landscapes.

The Church of Saint Symphorien also offers a glimpse into the town’s history. In 1425, it was a chapel belonging to the Augustinian monastery; in 1791, it became a parish church. These dates mark a change in its function. The church is also listed in the inventory of historic monuments. Anyone interested in Morestel’s architectural history will find a different perspective here than at the Maison Ravier: the focus is on its former connection to the monastery and its later role as a parish church.

Walking Route, Tour Médiévale and Views

The Parcours patrimonial de Morestel runs along Rue Ravier from the Church of Saint Symphorien to the Tour Médiévale. Along the way, it passes through the upper historic district, known as the Vieille Ville. The route connects two distinct stops in the town’s history rather than focusing on a single building.

The Tour Médiévale is a surviving remnant of a former castle that was demolished. Exhibitions of contemporary painting and sculpture are shown on two levels, and the exhibition programme may change. Its connection to art therefore differs from that of the Maison Ravier, whose collection is devoted to Ravier and his painter friends.

An observation point at the Tour Médiévale offers a panorama of the town’s rooftops, the Bugey and the Alps, with an orientation board to help identify the views. The Bugey is therefore visible from both the tower and the Maison Ravier. From the Maison, you can also see the Chartreuse, Belledonne and Vercors; from the tower’s observation point, Morestel’s rooftops and the Alps.

Markets and Cycling Trips

Morestel’s Sunday market was established in 1953 and takes place on La Grande Rue and Place du 8 Mai 1945. The Marché de Morestel is held at Place des Halles, on Grande Rue and at Place du 8 Mai 1945. Its stalls offer fruit and vegetables, fish, cheese, textiles, flowers and local products. The market therefore offers not only food but also flowers, textiles and local produce.

For cycling travellers, the ViaRhôna is another specific point of interest: the cycle route connects Lake Geneva with the Mediterranean and stops in Morestel. If you are planning to make Morestel a stop on your cycling trip, check the latest route conditions in advance, as they may change. When looking for a hotel in Morestel, these different points of interest can help you tailor your trip planning to the purpose of your visit.

Discover more destinations: Pontcharra, Bilieu, Les Abrets, La Tour-Du-Pin, Sarcenas, La Morte, L'isle-D'abeau, Tignieu-Jameyzieu

For the broader travel overview: Isere.