Courzieu: Nature, Hiking Trails and History

Courzieu offers plenty for travelers interested in nature and history: wildlife watching, trails with clearly stated distances, and local traditions. If you’re looking for a hotel in Courzieu, deciding what you’d like to focus on can help you plan—whether that’s wildlife, Roman history, or the village’s past.

Nature and Wildlife

Parc animalier de Courzieu is set in a protected natural area covering 25 hectares. Its two themed forest trails focus on discovering European wildlife. Visitors can watch gray wolves, Arctic wolves, free-flying birds of prey, and marmots. Wildlife watching offers a different focus from the trails whose signs explain historical remains.

La Tourbière, also known as “pré tremblant,” lies below Crêt Châtelard and is the last peat bog in the Monts du Lyonnais. This fragile area acts as a reservoir for remarkable biodiversity and should be treated with care. Part of Courzieu is also within Les crêts boisés de l’ouest Lyonnais, the largest Espace Naturel Sensible in the Rhône department.

Village History and Roman Remains

The Circuit du patrimoine de Courzieu runs through the village and uses eight information panels to explain the remains of the castle courtyard, the priory castle, and Saint Joseph Chapel, as well as wayside crosses and winegrowing. The route is open daily year-round and is permanently free to access; check current local information before your visit. Guided tours can be arranged for groups of ten or more by appointment.

The Sentier découverte de l’Aqueduc romain de la Brévenne focuses on the surviving remains of the Roman aqueduct. Two hiking trails, 7 and 10 km long, pass by the remains; information panels cover features including canal sections, inspection shafts, and a settling basin. You can choose between two trail lengths, with the aqueduct providing the theme for both.

Oppidum du Châtelard has been classified as a historic monument since 1989. It stands at an elevation of 882 meters on one of the Jumeaux peaks. Its construction history includes a main phase dating to the Iron Age and a later phase from the Iron Age and Gallo-Roman period. Chapelle de Pomeyrieux was inaugurated on August 15, 1945, bears the name “Notre dame de toutes grâces,” and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Hiking Trails and Activities

Courz’y Trail Park starts in the center of Courzieu. Its six permanent, fully marked routes range from 8 to 23 km; free self-service showers are also available. The Bike Park has four downhill trails of varying difficulty, each 700 meters long. The Courzieu Aventure pump track was built from natural materials, without concrete or soil sealing. Check current operating conditions before planning to use the facilities.

The Sentier des P’tits Loups is a family hike with information panels about Courzieu’s Roman aqueduct, the legend of the Lafont spring, and local flora and fauna. The hike is permanently free to access. Another option for a themed walk around the village is the “Les Gnolus” app, which offers a family treasure hunt in Courzieu.

Festivals and Local Specialties

La vogue is an annual tradition held on the second weekend of September. It lasts three days, from Friday through Sunday evening; Saturday evening includes a free dance. The Fête des Classes also takes place every year in May. The Conscrits parade is followed by a communal meal and a dance. For your travel plans, it’s worth checking the exact festival dates.

Visitors to Courzieu can try Mayosse, a local specialty: a cake made with shortcrust pastry, strawberry jam, and almonds. It has been Courzieu’s official specialty since April 2023. The Route Mara des Bois is also part of the village’s identity: it is one of seven routes for discovering Courzieu as “strawberry country.”

Discover more destinations: Neuville-Sur-Saône, Légny, Taluyers, Odenas, Saint-Vérand, Limas, Saint-Laurent-De-Mure, Fleurie

For the broader travel overview: Rhône.