In Ars-Sur-Formans, sacred architectural history, religious mementos and routes associated with the Curé d'Ars stand side by side. This gives you different ways to plan your trip: you can explore historic buildings and collections, or set aside some time for a walking or cycling route.
Basilica, Chapels and Architectural History
The Basilique Saint-Sixte is classified as a historic monument. The Chapelle Sainte-Philomène, inside the Basilique, contains 19th- and 20th-century ex-votos. These include wooden crutches, engraved marble plaques and embroidered pictures. The variety of materials and forms adds a tangible, object-focused dimension to this part of the area's history.
The building's history also offers a glimpse across time: the Basilique Sainte-Sixte was built by Pierre-Marie Bossan at the end of the 19th century on the foundations of a 12th-century Romanesque chapel. The building thus brings together two very different periods. The Chapelle du Cœur dates from 1930. It houses a bronze reliquary inlaid with ivory, containing the heart relic of the Saint Curé d'Ars.
Museums and Religious Heritage
The Musée de cire d'Ars devotes an exhibition area to the life of Jean-Marie Vianney, from 1786 to 1859, placing it in its historical context. The museum also uses audio stations to create an immersive presentation of the history of the pilgrimage and its impact on the village. The life story and the history of the area are each given their own place in the exhibition.
The Maison du Saint Curé d'Ars is an 18th-century house preserved in its original condition. Furniture, liturgical objects and personal belongings of the Saint Curé d'Ars are displayed there. These objects provide a different focus from the historical context presented at the Musée de cire: here, the objects themselves and the house take centre stage.
Another sacred site is Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde, an underground church dating from the 20th century. Together with the basilicas and chapels, it shows how varied the religious buildings and places of remembrance in Ars-Sur-Formans are.
Routes and Planning Your Time
The Ars tourist office offers guided village tours for groups of ten or more. The tour lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. If you plan to take this option, check availability before booking.
The walk to the Monument de la Rencontre and back takes 45 minutes. From the viewpoint there, you can look out over the village and the basilica, the Monts d'Or and the Beaujolais. The monument symbolises the Curé d'Ars's arrival in his future parish. The walk is therefore linked to a specific place of remembrance; it is shorter than the approximately 90-minute group tour.
If you have more time for a route, consider the signposted 16-kilometre circular trail, “Le Chemin du Curé d'Ars.” It can be completed on foot or by bicycle, following the route used by the Saint Curé d'Ars between Ars and Montmerle-sur-Saône. As route conditions may change, check the latest information in advance.
Cycling routes from Ars-Sur-Formans also lead to the Via RhĂ´na. If you plan to take this connection, check the latest route details locally. This lets you distinguish between the shorter loop to the monument, the guided tour and the longer route according to the time available and your chosen mode of transport, without treating them as the same route.
Discover more destinations: Curciat-Dongalon, Lagnieu, Mantenay-Montlin, Jassans-Riottier, Bellignat, Francheleins, Saint-Trivier-De-Courtes, Dompierre-sur-Chalaronne.
For the wider travel overview: Ain.
