Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or: Townscape, history and trails

Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or lies between the Saône and the Monts d'Or. Picturesque lanes and restored townhouses shape its townscape. Other landmarks include the Church of Saint-Maurice, with its distinctive architecture, the Madone and traces of yellow stone. If you are considering the town as a destination for your stay, you can combine different interests: architectural history, art, landscape, hiking and cycling.

Townscape and architectural history

The Church of Saint-Maurice was built in 1855; its architecture is attributed to Pierre Bossan. Its imposing profile and austere design display a highly distinctive style characteristic of Bossan's work. The church is listed as a Monument historique; the listing dates from 23 November 2021. The years refer to different milestones: 1855 for the construction, 2021 for the listing. Saint-Maurice thus brings together architecture, attribution and a later protected status.

The Madone shifts the focus from church architecture to a single work of art. The three-metre-high painted bronze statue was cast from a model of the Lourdes Madonna by the Lyon sculptor Fabisch. It was erected at La Vénagère on 5 February 1888, where it overlooks the village. Its material, model, artist and location give the statue a specific art-historical context; the date also anchors it in local history.

Yellow stone and landscape

Yellow stone also shapes Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or. The quarries, now disused, have shaped the landscape; north of the village, the quarry face is still clearly visible. The stone is therefore part of not only the account of local history but also the visible landscape. You will also encounter the quarries on the “De carrières en Fricoule” circular trail, as part of the local history of stone extraction.

Hiking and cycling

The “De carrières en Fricoule” circular trail starts in the town centre and leads to the Roman aqueduct. It runs alongside old vineyards, takes you to the “de Couzon” yellow-stone quarries, and passes Cabornes and Chirats. The route thus takes in different aspects of the landscape and history, from the town centre and former vineyards to traces of stone extraction. It is a useful reference when choosing a hike with named destinations and stops.

The circular trail is accessible by bus routes 40 and 43, at the Couzon stop. Check current bus times before travelling.

For cycling, the Voie lyonnaise 3 offers a different point of reference. The first completed section in Couzon is 900 metres long and runs from the town centre to the northern edge of the town, towards Albigny-sur-Saône. It is designed for travel in both directions, is three metres wide and is separated from the roadway. Its length, route and construction clearly define this section, whereas the circular trail is characterised by its destinations and landscape stops. You can therefore choose between a described cycling route and a hiking trail without treating them as the same type of outing.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Jons, Brignais, L'arbresle, Les Ardillats, Jarnioux, Denicé, Saint-Priest, Vaugneray.

For the broader travel overview: Rhône.