Discover Amplepuis

Amplepuis brings together the landscapes of Beaujolais Vert, a museum of sewing machines and bicycles, a park, and traces of the textile industry. When planning a stay, it helps to distinguish between these highlights: Clos du Crêt offers paths and outdoor activities, while the museum and the Déchelette district reveal different aspects of the town’s history and industrial past. There are also cultural events and a food market held at a specific time on Saturday mornings. This allows you to tailor your stay to the subjects that interest you most in Amplepuis.

Landscapes and paths

Amplepuis lies on the ocean-facing slope of the Monts du Beaujolais, in Beaujolais Vert. The wooded surroundings, characterised by hedgerow landscapes, range in elevation from 336 to 868 metres. Forests and hedgerows thus shape the town’s landscape. One of the main destinations for paths and outdoor activities is Clos du Crêt: the park covers 22 hectares. The municipality acquired most of it in 2011.

In 2023, a nature trail about local flora and fauna was created at Clos du Crêt. Check its current condition on site. Two urban circular routes also pass through the park, and you can explore them on foot or by bicycle. As the routes may change, it is advisable to check their current course before setting out. The “Des dégringoules au vert” hiking trail in Amplepuis can be combined with the wooded terrain of Clos du Crêt, the fitness trail, and the nature trail about local flora and fauna. This lets you choose between different focuses: the nature trail is devoted to local plant and animal life, while the two circular routes can be explored on foot or by bicycle.

Museum and industrial history

In the centre of Amplepuis, the Musée Barthélémy Thimonnier is housed in a former hospital and its chapel. The museum presents sewing machines and bicycles, and houses France’s first public collection of sewing machines. Since 19 July 2005, it has held the designation “Musée de France” under French heritage law. The collection, the building’s former use, and its central location come together here to create a distinctive cultural highlight.

The Déchelette district offers a different focus. Built from local microgranite, it forms a distinctive architectural ensemble from the industrial era and is considered a rare testament to the region’s textile industry past. It is also a Beaujolais Geosite within the UNESCO Global Geopark. This makes it easy to distinguish between two themes for a visit: the Musée Barthélémy Thimonnier represents its collection of sewing machines and bicycles, while the Déchelette district is about architecture and regional industrial history.

Cultural programme and market

The Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture d’Amplepuis is also associated with a former use: it is located in a former girls’ school. Its programme includes family shows, a film club, café debates, and concerts. As the cultural programme may change, check the latest listings in advance if you would like to attend an event. The MJC complements the historical themes with a variety of cultural formats.

A food market is held on Saturday mornings at Place de l’Industrie. As market arrangements may change, it is a good idea to check the current times if you are planning a specific visit. Saturday morning gives you a time to plan around; the museum, park, architecture, and cultural programme offer other points of interest. When looking for a hotel in Amplepuis, you can therefore start by considering whether you mainly want to include outdoor walks or cultural and industrial history in your stay.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Laurent-De-Chamousset, Jons, Taponas, Saint-Symphorien-D'ozon, Courzieu, Monsols, Écully, Quincieux

For the main travel overview: Rhône.