Champagneux on the Rhône

Champagneux lies on the Rhône and offers several ways to enjoy a stay: cycling along the Via Rhôna or the Galletti Loop, walks and hikes, and exploring the local landscape and history. The historical perspective ranges from a radio station built in 1912 to a trade route that has passed through Champagneux since antiquity.

Landscape on the Rhône

The Rhône shaped the plain of Champagneux; the village also borders the river. The steep cliffs from Recorba to La Tuilière are considered the final foothills of the Jura. Duisse Hill overlooks the course of the Rhône. At the foot of the slope stretching from Recorba to La Tuilière, the ground consists of rock debris and is covered with boxwood and oak trees. The local paths also offer a clue to the river landscape of the past: it is thought that the winding paths follow the lines of former Rhône channels, known as lônes.

Cycling in Champagneux

The two cycling options differ in their scope: the Via Rhôna passes through Champagneux and connects Lake Geneva with the Mediterranean. The Galletti Loop is a 6.5-kilometre cycling route in Champagneux. Information panels along the loop cover Galletti and the Rhône, connecting the route with local history.

Some sections of the Galletti Loop run along roads shared with other traffic. Take this shared use into account when planning your ride, and check the safety information before setting out.

Radio history and historical trade

In 1912, Roberto Clemens Galletti di Cadilhac built a powerful radio station in Champagneux, Savoie, on the Rhône. It enabled communication with Tuckerton in the United States. The name of the Galletti Loop and its information panels lead visitors to a specific chapter in local history.

A transport and trade route has passed through Champagneux since antiquity. Wood, cut stone and other goods were transported downstream along the same route; salt and other products from the Mediterranean region came upstream. The Rhône also served for several centuries as the border between Savoie and France. Another part of local history is brickmaking, which continued for around two centuries because of the large local clay deposits. The time spans differ considerably: the radio station dates to 1912, the trade route goes back to antiquity, and brickmaking continued for about two centuries.

Walks, hikes and kayaking

Champagneux offers plenty of opportunities for walks and hikes. If you are interested in kayaking on the Rhône near Champagneux, check with the operator in advance to find out whether trips are available on your chosen date and what conditions apply.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Montcel, Francin, Villarembert, Hautecour, Courchevel 1550, Montchavin, Hermillon, Bozel.

For the overview of the wider region: Savoie.