Culoz offers a variety of ways to explore: an easy historical trail leads through the early periods, while the Promenade au bord du Rhône passes a railway viaduct and two ponds. Other options include the Maison du Patrimoine, the Château de Montvéran and the challenging hike to Grand Colombier. You can plan your visit around whether you are most interested in the town’s history, observing nature or taking on a demanding hike.
History from the Mesolithic to the Château
The Parcours historique de Culoz is an easy historical trail. It passes through different periods, from the Mesolithic to Roman times. One particular focus of the trail is the Serpollet brothers’ invention: their 1888 steam engine was installed in one of the first automobiles. The route thus connects early local history with a specific chapter in the history of technology.
The Maison du Patrimoine is housed in one of Culoz’s oldest buildings, dating from the 16th century. It presents the town’s history from the Mesolithic to the present day. Topics include the Serpollet brothers, Henry Dunant, Gertrude Stein and Jules Giguet; the exhibition also features mineralogical and archaeological collections. While the historical trail covers the period up to Roman times, the Maison brings the story up to the present day and complements it with personal stories and collections.
The Château de Montvéran also offers a distinct historical perspective. Pierre de Luyrieu had it built in 1316 on the rocky outcrop of Montvéran. Apart from restorations and a few changes associated with the French Revolution, the Château has largely been preserved. The Office de Tourisme Bugey Sud offers guided tours of Culoz’s old town and the Château. Since tour times may vary, it is advisable to check the schedule before planning your visit.
Along the Rhône and by the ponds
The Promenade au bord du Rhône focuses on something different from the historical sites: it passes the Culoz railway viaduct, as well as the Étang de la RICA and the Étang du Comte. At the two natural ponds, you can observe carp, pike and trout, as well as wading birds and swans. The combination of a structure and bodies of water makes this route a distinctive choice for anyone who would rather discover Culoz through its riverside scenery and nature watching.
The Marais de Lavours offers another perspective on early settlement. People lived there after the Würm glaciers retreated, during the Mesolithic period about 8,000 years ago; bone finds from a rock shelter in Culoz provide evidence of this. This archaeological context adds to the time span covered by the historical trail, without conflating the different places and archaeological contexts.
A challenging hike from Culoz
If you are looking for a more substantial physical challenge, you can include the demanding hike to Grand Colombier in your travel plans. It is considerably more difficult than the easy historical trail, offering a different way to spend your time. The hike can be accessed from Culoz station on the Lyon–Geneva railway line. If travelling by train, check the timetable for your travel date, as schedules can change.
The differences between the activities provide a clear guide when deciding what to do: the Parcours traces history from the earliest times to the Roman period, the Maison du Patrimoine adds collections and notable people, and the Château offers an insight into 14th-century history. The Promenade, in turn, draws your attention to the viaduct, ponds and wildlife; the hike to Grand Colombier is the challenging option. Your choice of focus will depend primarily on whether you want to spend your time in Culoz exploring culture, riverside scenery or hiking.
Discover more destinations: Simandre-sur-Suran, Lagnieu, Relevant, Hotonnes, Reyrieux, Villars-Les-Dombes, Pont-De-Vaux, Lélex.
See the broader travel guide: Ain.
