Discover Savas-Mépin

Savas-Mépin brings together two clearly separate districts, with hiking trails, cycling routes and a history dating back to the French Revolution. When looking for somewhere to stay, it helps to consider your trip’s starting point: would you like to be in Savas or Mépin, go hiking or explore the area by bike? The following details about the area and its routes offer practical guidance.

Two districts and finding your way around

The small village of Savas lies to the north, while the somewhat larger centre of Mépin is to the south. The RD502 separates the two districts; the road, formerly RN502, runs through Savas-Mépin. When searching for accommodation, check which district is named rather than relying only on the shared place name. This lets you focus your search on the part of the municipality that suits your planned stay.

Savas and Mépin are close to Saint-Jean-de-Bournay. The location of the motorways may also be useful when planning your journey: Savas-Mépin is approximately equidistant from the Vienne-Nord exit on the A7 and the Villefontaine exit on the A43. This gives you an indication of the distances to the two exits, not the journey time.

Getting there by bus, train and car

Cars Région’s T35 bus serves Savas-Mépin and provides connections to Vienne and La Côte-Saint-André. The timetable applies from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. If you plan to use the bus, check the departures for your travel date.

The nearest railway station is Vienne. TER trains operated by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region run from there on the Mâcon-Ville to Vienne and Vienne to Valence routes. Bus and rail offer different options for planning your journey; check the relevant timetable for the connections that suit you.

Hiking and cycling: routes of different lengths

For a longer bike ride, the 59 km “Promenade entre forêts et étangs” loop passes through Savas-Mépin. It starts in Villeneuve-de-Marc and also passes through Beauvoir-de-Marc, Artas, Culin and Saint-Jean-de-Bournay. The route connects several places in one loop; its length provides a useful reference for planning your day.

The “Le vallon de Vernéa” hike starts from a small car park between the church and a playground. This moderately difficult circular hike is 9.99 km long and takes an average of 3 hours and 30 minutes. It first leads into a forest, then through a valley alongside a stream to the Vernéa area. The route therefore has a stated walking time and several clearly named sections.

“Sur les hauteurs de Savas” starts at the car park in front of the chapel and passes through Savas. This moderately difficult hike is listed as 9.10 km long, with an average duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes. It offers views of the Saint-Jean plain, depending on local conditions. Compared with “Le vallon de Vernéa”, it is 0.89 km shorter based on the stated figures, and its average duration is ten minutes less. Both routes are rated moderately difficult, but they differ in their course and scenery.

The “Bois Thomas” route in Savas-Mépin is 5.9 km long. Alongside the two longer hikes, this gives you a shorter route and the 59 km cycling loop to choose from. These details can help you weigh up your planned activity against the time available, without assuming a walking or cycling time for a different route.

History and local insights

The area’s history extends beyond its local past: Savas-Mépin lies west of the ancient territory of the Allobroges. Under the Ancien Régime, the parishes of Savas and Mépin were subject to the lordship of Beauvoir-de-Marc. At the beginning of the Revolutionary period, Savas and Mépin first became independent municipalities; between 1790 and 1794, they were united into a single municipality. This explains why two place names still jointly identify the municipality today.

One historical detail also connects the area with its past: the bell at the church of Saint-Bonnet de Savas dates from the 15th century. For a combination of local history and hiking, “Sur les hauteurs de Savas” is linked to the village of Savas and views of the Saint-Jean plain. The views depend on local conditions.

Local produce also includes vegetables grown seasonally on Thierry Janin’s farm in Savas-Mépin. Other fruit and vegetables come from local producers or from elsewhere. If you’re interested in this offering, take its seasonal nature into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Viriville, Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, Villefontaine, Lalley, Bourgoin, Saint-Quentin-Sur-Isère, Saint-Pancrasse, Vignieu.

For the broader travel overview: Isere.