Discover Saint-Paul-Dʼizeaux

Saint-Paul-Dʼizeaux offers several specific points of interest to help you plan your trip: the village church with its Romanesque choir and dated frescoes, hiking trails with different descriptions, and a challenging cycling loop. If you are weighing up culture, hiking and cycling, details about history, duration, distance and difficulty can help you plan your time. This lets you consider which focus you would like to shape your stay, without limiting your choice of destination to a single activity.

Church and historical traces

The Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul has a Romanesque choir with 17th-century frescoes. The frescoes are dated to the period from 1680 to 1690. This brings two distinct periods together in one building: the Romanesque classification of the choir and the later creation of the wall paintings. The church also bears the “Patrimoine en Isère” label, which recognizes the quality of its heritage as a building of departmental significance. Its architecture, dating and award offer culture enthusiasts different ways to understand the church.

Another historical connection to the area is the site of the former Cistercian priory of Bellecombe in Saint-Paul-Dʼizeaux. These two points refer to different aspects: the church is described in terms of its choir, frescoes and label, while Bellecombe recalls a former priory. Cultural interest therefore encompasses both specific features of a religious building and a historical trace connected to the former priory.

Hiking between chestnut woods and meadows

The hike to Col de Chatain starts in Saint-Paul-Dʼizeaux and follows an easy half-loop through a chestnut wood. Its stated distance is 8.72 kilometres, and it takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. This makes it easy to fit the tour’s timeframe into your day; its easy rating and half-loop format are also part of its description. Trail conditions may change, so check the latest information before setting out.

The trail to Col de Chatain is part of the “In Mandrin’s Footsteps” circuit, which also includes a stop between Saint-Paul and La Tuilière. Local signage may change, so it is a good idea to check the information before your hike. Another route crosses the meadows in the “Le Retour” area and then reaches Camp de César. The landscapes described are different: the chestnut wood features prominently on the Chatain route, while the route to Camp de César passes through meadows before reaching its destination.

A cycling loop requiring more time

The “Around Tullins” cycling loop is intended for experienced or advanced cyclists. It is 81.0 kilometres long and takes about six hours. The route goes over Col de Parménie in the direction of Saint-Paul-d'Izeaux. Compared with the hike to Col de Chatain, this calls for a considerably longer timeframe: about six hours by bike versus 3 hours and 20 minutes on foot. The activities also differ in their difficulty ratings. Route specifications may change with updates, so check the latest information before your tour.

Honey available by appointment only

A description updated on December 2, 2025, states that Le Rucher de Saint Paul sells honey directly from the farm in Saint-Paul-Dʼizeaux by appointment only. If you plan to buy some, arrange your visit in advance. This means the appointment is an essential part of your planning rather than a spontaneous stop.

Discover more destinations: Choranche, Saint-Barthélemy-de-Séchilienne, Saint-Quentin-Sur-Isère, Vaulx-Milieu, Allevard, Fontanil-Cornillon, Corbelin, Tignieu-Jameyzieu.

For the broader travel overview: Isere.