At Château de Fléchères, Pietro Ricchi created a fresco cycle in several rooms in 1632; Parc du Château Bouchet is home to 13 tree species notable for their rarity and size across five hectares. There are also seasonal cultural events and a specific walking and cycling route. Fareins therefore offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: art, parks, event dates and routes.
Between the Dombes Plateau and the Saône Valley Plain
Fareins lies on the edge of the Dombes Plateau and the Saône valley plain. To the west, the municipality borders the Saône for 3.8 kilometres. The river is therefore a specific geographical landmark, while the two landscape areas help situate the town. When choosing excursions, you can distinguish this geographical perspective from the individual cultural and route themes.
Frescoes at Château de Fléchères
Pietro Ricchi’s fresco cycle is spread across several rooms at Château de Fléchères: the Hall of the Labours of Hercules, the Parade and Château halls, the perspectives, the Chamber of the Virtues, and the Antechamber of the Hunts. The paintings are therefore not just decoration in a single hall, but a cycle connected to several rooms. There is no comparable counterpart in France. If you are interested in painting and château interiors, Fléchères is a clearly defined cultural theme to consider when planning your trip.
The château is two minutes from the Fareins - Grelonges stop on shuttle bus route 113. The route connects Belleville-sur-Saône with Saint-Germain-au-Mont-d'Or. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable before departure, as routes and stop arrangements may change.
Park and Pigeon Houses
Parc du Château Bouchet covers five hectares. In addition to its 13 notable tree species, the park features a windmill, an icehouse, bridges and a pigeon house. The trees and the various structures offer different points of interest. The park is open to the public on weekends; groups can visit during the week by appointment. Admission is free. Check the current opening hours and visitor arrangements before your visit.
The Pigeonnier des Mouilles offers a different architectural point of interest: it is the region’s only freestanding pigeon house. In the past, it was equipped with a revolving ladder and clay pots set into the walls to serve as nesting places. The building has been converted into a residence. Its former features and present-day use belong to different periods: the ladder and nesting places describe its earlier use, while the building is now a residence.
Summer, Winter and Routes through Fareins
In summer, the Parc du Château Bouchet hosts the ArtFareins biennial, dedicated to contemporary sculpture. In winter, Fareins hosts the Jazz à Fareins festival. This seasonal contrast offers two different cultural highlights to consider when planning a trip: contemporary sculpture in summer and jazz in winter. If you want an event to determine your stay, check the specific dates before booking.
The routes also differ in their purpose and mode of travel. The “Fléchères par le chemin de halage depuis Beauregard” circular walking trail passes the Pigeonnier du Gourlas and then continues to the centre of Fareins. The “L'Ain à Vélo – Le Val de Saône” cycle route connects Saint-Bernard and Fareins with a visit to Château de Fléchères. The walking trail therefore leads to the town centre, while the cycling route is linked to a château visit. Check route information before setting off.
You can first decide whether a cultural event, a visit to the park or one of the routes described is the main draw for you, and then look for suitable accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Thoiry, Prévessin-Moëns, Malafretaz, Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, Relevant, Hotonnes, Oncieu, Saint-Bernard.
For the broader travel overview: Ain.
