Chassagny: History and Walking Trails

Chassagny combines historic buildings with walking trails and a protected natural area. If you are looking for hotels in Chassagny, the town’s history and walking destinations can help you get a sense of the destination’s character and decide whether it suits your interests. Highlights include the Église Saint Blaise, the history of the châteaux, and walks in the Bois de Montrond and the Mornantet gorges.

Church History and Buildings

The Église Saint Blaise has Romanesque origins dating back to the 10th century. In 1520, Béatrix de Bron and her husband René de Rougemont had the church extensively rebuilt. The seigneurial chapel contains the Piscina, which is partially listed as a historic monument. It was listed by decree dated February 2, 1982. The church’s history thus brings together Romanesque beginnings, a 16th-century reconstruction, and a later listing as a historic monument.

The footbridge over the Mornantet also bears a date: 1864. In 1996, it received the Conseil Général du Rhône’s heritage conservation award. In La Charbonnerie, there is a stone watering trough supplied directly with water from a well; it probably dates from around 1670. The date of this structure is therefore an estimate.

The History of the Châteaux

The Château de Chassagny probably dates from the 12th century. The original château was destroyed in 1561 by the Baron des Adrets; it was rebuilt in 1570, retaining the square keep. The château is privately owned and cannot be visited. Its history is part of Chassagny’s landscape, but the property itself is not open to visitors.

Another historical trace leads to the Château de la Vaure. Its name comes from Hugues de la Vaure, a royal notary in 1362. The fief, surrounded by several ponds, had a stone defensive wall built by Gaspard Charmier in 1615. This local history adds another name and a specific construction date to the story of the Château de Chassagny.

Walks and Getting Around

Walks in the Bois de Montrond and the Mornantet gorges are especially recommended. The walking trails in Chassagny start at a sign on the parking lot by the Salle des fêtes des Varennes. If you are planning a walk, you can use this sign as your first point of reference. There is also a picnic area near the Salle des fêtes.

Landscape and Natural Area

Chassagny is part of the Espace naturel sensible du Plateau mornantais. The Plateau mornantais includes heathland, dry grassland, rocky outcrops, wet meadows, natural grasslands, and several ponds. Open, dry areas thus lie alongside wetter habitats and bodies of water. The Espace naturel sensible is open to the public and has several walking trails.

The Plateau de Montagny is another notable landscape feature. It can be seen panoramically from Chassagny; its plateau is dominated by a medieval village center. The Espace naturel sensible is listed as accessible year-round, with free admission. Parking is available nearby. Check these practical details again before your visit.

Cycling Information

There is a specific notice for Circuit VTT 231: Since the heavy rainfall in October 2024, the section south of Chassagny has been only partially rideable; one of the bridges over the Mornantet is also missing there. Before setting out, check locally on the condition of this section.

Discover more destinations: Joux, Pierre-Bénite, Corbas, Bibost, Lozanne, Saint-Clément-Sur-Valsonne, Saint-Didier-Sur-Beaujeu, Sainte-Colombe.

For the regional travel overview: Rhône.