Discover Saint-Priest: Château, Fort and Nature
Accommodation in Saint-Priest
Saint-Priest offers several clear starting points for your trip: the architecture of the Château de Saint-Priest, the military history of the Fort de Saint-Priest, a historic village trail and green spaces with designated paths. You can choose between architectural history, local history and nature.
The Château and the history of the village
The Château de Saint-Priest has been partially listed as a Monument historique since 28 December 1984. Its construction history is reflected in three distinct elements: a Renaissance building, a 12th-century keep and an 18th-century façade. Several architectural periods thus stand side by side in one place. The Château overlooks a 2.5-hectare French-style garden, which offers another aspect of the visit.
Those more interested in the history of the town can explore the Parcours historique du Village, which features 14 historic sites in Saint-Priest. These include the Château, the church, the village school, a former still and the Passage à talon. The trail starts at 2 Rue de l’Égalité, near the Château’s perimeter wall. Each site has explanatory panels with QR codes; an audio version is also available online, as is an English version. Signage and access arrangements may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.
The Fort and its military history
Construction of the Fort de Saint-Priest began in 1888 on a hill 256 metres high. This second-generation fort was intended to monitor the Isère plain, the road to Grenoble and the “Lyon Bourgoin” railway line. This gives the fort a different historical focus from the Château: the emphasis here is on military planning and its strategic role at the time.
Every year during the Journées du patrimoine, a guided tour is held at the Fort, accompanied by a photo exhibition and various objects relating to the building’s origins, construction and features. Specific dates and programme details vary. If you would like to plan your trip around this tour, check the information for the relevant event.
Green spaces and trails
The Parc du Fort includes about 15 hectares of wooded areas and around 20 hectares of natural meadows. Birds, rabbits and hedgehogs find shelter along the pond banks and among the hedgerows. These details give the park a specific natural character as well as a sense of its size.
For a trail with a specified length, the Sentier de Feuilly offers a clear point of reference: it is 3.2 kilometres long and has 18 educational information panels. The GR169 offers a different kind of route. This new long-distance hiking trail loops around the MĂ©tropole de Lyon and passes by twelve forts, including the Fort de Saint-Priest. The two trails therefore have distinct features: the Sentier de Feuilly is defined by its length and information panels, while the GR169 is distinguished by its wider route and the forts along the way.
Getting around during your stay
Tram line T2 runs to the Bel Air terminus. From there, you can reach the eastern countryside of Saint-Priest in just a few steps. It is worth checking the latest network map before travelling, as routes may change. The historic village trail, on the other hand, starts at 2 Rue de l’Égalité, near the Château’s perimeter wall.
If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Priest, you can base your choice on your preferred travel theme: architecture and local history, the history of the Fort, or green spaces and trails. The Château, village trail, Fort and park each offer a different point of interest. This gives you a sense of what you would most like to explore during your stay before you start looking.
Discover more destinations: Quincié-En-Beaujolais, Saint-Fons, Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d'Or, Pollionnay, Vaulx-En-Velin, Chénas, Saint-Lager, Vaux-En-Beaujolais.
For the broader travel overview: RhĂ´ne.
