Best attractions and places to see around Janneyrias, a rural commune in the Isère department of France, include local historical sites and serve as a gateway to the wider Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The area features a mix of historical landmarks, such as chapels and castle ruins, alongside significant natural features in the broader vicinity. Its proximity to Lyon provides access to numerous urban attractions, while local associations preserve the commune's heritage. The landscape offers opportunities for outdoor activities, particularly in nearby…
Last updated: July 6, 2026
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In January 1847, an investigation was opened into projects towards Geneva, Besançon, Dôle-Châlons. In 1850, the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry adopted the project for a rail link from Lyon to Chambéry via Saint Genis sur Guiers. Applications to operate this line were rejected until 1877. The work lasted 4 years, financed in part by Belgian capital. The inauguration took place on October 9, 1881, and the first train ran on October 30. The line started from the Gare de l'Est (Avenue Félix Faure) and ended at Sablonnières. It had 16 stations and 3 stops over a distance of 72 Kms. Passenger traffic increased from 4 daily round trips in 1897 to 8 in 1935. A passenger took 40 minutes on the 6:35 AM train to travel from Lyon to Pont de Chéruy and 34 minutes to return to Lyon on the 7:23 PM train. Despite everything, the line was closed to passengers in December 1938, then reopened from September 1939 to December 31, 1947. VFD (Voie Ferrée du Dauphiné) coaches took over between Crémieu and Lyon; Freight traffic supplied the main industries (Grammont in Pont de Chéruy and Vicat in Bouvesse) as well as the various industrial zones. The network served 70 private sidings. At its peak in 1935, 1,000,000 tons transited through this line. The decision by the cement factories to no longer use the rail in 1978 was to deal it a "fatal" blow. In 1980, during its last year, 540,244 tons (including 150,130 of scrap metal) were still transported. In 2001, CoUrLy (Urban Community of Lyon) and the General Council of the Rhône adopted a decision to reactivate passenger traffic on part of the route of the Est line. The objective is to connect Lyon to Saint Exupéry airport.
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Nice Sunday morning Gravel ride. Arrived at 8 am in Miribel park, not a soul 🐈⬛ but a few hares and signs waking up quietly near the many beaches. I'm surprised by the quality of the singles and trails which are super well maintained. Would gladly do it again.
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Wonderful green space just a stone's throw from the center of Lyon. This 160-hectare body of water is a haven of peace and biodiversity. The towpath is part of the Via Rhôna.
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This expansive park is a protected natural area offering a multitude of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, hiking and water sports. Created in the 1970s, the park was developed to preserve the ecosystem while providing a place of leisure for residents of the region. It is also an important site for biodiversity, sheltering many animal and plant species.
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The Bienassis fortified house, built by the Vallin family at the end of the 14th century, was organized around an enclosed courtyard and included a pavilion surrounded by watchtower turrets. The current building was completed in 1897 for Casimir Gournet, who wanted to give the old feudal residence the appearance of a medieval castle. Alphonse de Lamartine made several stays in Bienassis with his friend Nicolas Prosper Guichard, between 1804 and 1808. The castle, built of limestone rubble, consists of an L-shaped building covered with a long-pitched roof covered with mechanical tiles extended to the south by a high quadrangular tower with a porch in the work. The north wing has four levels of elevation: three cellars on the basement floor, a square floor and an attic floor. The tower rises on three levels: a ground floor with ribbed vaults and two square floors, the buildings are crowned with false machicolation. The corner turrets are covered with conical slate roofs. The stained glass windows of the ground floor living room are decorated with two bust-length women and two bust-length men in rondels. The coat of arms of the Joubert de Montlevon family can be found on one of the windows of the first living room on the ground floor. In the library, two shields with scrolling scroll motifs, a shield decorated with three female heads, a shield decorated with a passing griffin, and a shield decorated with two hammers with the initials C G for Casimir Gournet adorn the windows. Source: Châteaux de France
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The Chemin de fer de l'Est de Lyon (CFEL) is a former French secondary railway network with standard gauge located partly in the Rhône department and partly in the Isère department and which connected the Gare de Lyon-Est to Aoste-Saint-Genix via Crémieu, Saint-Hilaire de Brens (Turnoff for the Jallieu antenna) and Soleymieu-Sablonnière (Turnoff for the Montalieu antenna). After a gradual end of operation until December 2003, the area of the line between Lyon-Part-Dieu station and Meyzieu Z.I. was transformed to allow line T3 of the Lyon tramway to run there, and the Rhônexpress shuttle to Saint-Exupéry airport. Note for the latter, that from the Meyzieu ZI, the track leaves the former CFEL right-of-way to head south towards the airport.
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This 154 meter long dam is made of dressed stone. It was built at the end of the 19th century. Today it plays a major role in preserving the environment of the large park of Miribel-Jonage.
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Flat bike path along the reservoir. Unfortunately, the scenery is a bit boring.
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Janneyrias itself is home to the local historical landmark of Chapelle Saint-Ours de Janneyrias and the intriguing Ruines du donjon du castrum de Malatrait, where coins dating from 1050 to 1650 have been discovered. Just 12 km away, you can visit Crémieu, a medieval town, known for its rich architectural heritage including the Delphinal castle and a 16th-century hall. Another historical gem is Château de Bienassis in Villemoirieu, a fortified house with a history dating back to the 14th century.
Yes, the region offers several natural highlights. The most popular is Miribel-Jonage Park, a vast 2,200-hectare city park east of Lyon, featuring numerous lakes, bathing spots, and nature trails. Another significant natural area is Le Grand Large, a 160-hectare lake known for its biodiversity and a flat bike path along its reservoir. Further afield, about 29km north-north-west, the Dombes region is famous for its thousands of small lakes, ideal for fishing and bird-watching.
The area around Janneyrias is excellent for various outdoor pursuits. You can find numerous routes for running, road cycling, and gravel biking. For instance, explore the Bois des Franchises with several running loops, or embark on longer road cycling adventures like the 'Madonna of Mas Rillier – Miribel ford loop'. Gravel biking options include the 'Crémieu–Morestel Greenway' or routes around the Jonage Canal. You can find detailed routes and guides for these activities, such as Running Trails around Janneyrias, Road Cycling Routes around Janneyrias, and Gravel biking around Janneyrias.
Absolutely. Miribel-Jonage Park is a fantastic option for families, offering vast spaces for picnics, bathing spots, and easy nature trails. The nearby city of Lyon, approximately 20km away, also boasts family attractions like the Parc de la Tête d'Or, Parc de Gerland, and the Jardin zoologique de la ville de Lyon.
Janneyrias serves as a convenient base to explore the wider region. Lyon, just 20km away, offers iconic sites such as Lyon Old Town (Vieux Lyon) with its 16th-century townhouses and cathedral, and the impressive Fourvière and Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière, providing panoramic city views. The town of Vienne, 31km southwest, is also worth a visit for its blend of Roman and medieval monuments.
Visitors particularly appreciate the diverse offerings. For Miribel-Jonage Park, the sheer size and variety of activities, from water sports to mountain biking, are highly valued. The flat bike path and peaceful atmosphere of Le Grand Large are also popular. For historical sites like Crémieu, medieval town, the well-preserved architectural heritage and pleasant atmosphere are frequently praised.
Yes, the Jonage Dam is a notable man-made structure. This 154-meter-long dam, built at the end of the 19th century from dressed stone, plays a crucial role in preserving the environment of the large Miribel-Jonage Park and is part of the Jonage canal system, which supplies the Cusset hydroelectric plant.
Beyond the local attractions, you can easily reach other picturesque villages. Crémieu, a medieval town just 12 km away, is highly recommended for its historical character. Another popular and highly recommended village is Pérouges, located about 18 km from Janneyrias, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region generally enjoys pleasant weather for outdoor activities from spring through early autumn (April to October). This period offers comfortable temperatures for exploring historical sites, cycling along lakes, and hiking in parks like Miribel-Jonage. Summer months are ideal for water-based activities at the lakes.
Yes, the Mémoires Janneysiennes Association is actively involved in researching and preserving the history and heritage of Janneyrias. They conduct research on local place names and historical sites, organize visits to monuments and archaeological digs, and host conferences on local history. They also maintain a photo database and an online site documenting the village's history.
Yes, the area caters to various cycling abilities. For an easy, flat ride, the path along Le Grand Large is perfect. Miribel-Jonage Park also offers numerous numbered paths, from short 1km loops to longer 30km routes, suitable for gravel or touring bikes, with some easy single tracks for mountain biking. More challenging road and gravel routes are also available, as detailed in guides like Road Cycling Routes around Janneyrias.


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