Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans offers two different ways to experience the area: the Romanesque Église Saint-Maurice and activities on the Ain. The church offers a glimpse into architectural history and mural painting, while canoeing and swimming put the river centre stage as a place for recreation. The area also has old fountains, wayside crosses and a goat farm that welcomes visitors and sells its products. When choosing your stay, you can decide whether culture, water or local farm produce matters most to you.

Romanesque church and mural painting

The Église Saint-Maurice is a Romanesque building dating from the 12th century. It was classified as a historic monument by decree on 24 April 1909. The two dates refer to different aspects: the first describes when it was built, and the second its later designation. Recognition as a historic monument is therefore also part of the building’s history.

The nave and choir feature the monumental painting “Peinture monumentale: scènes du Nouveau Testament” (Monumental painting: scenes from the New Testament), dating from the 15th century. It includes scenes from the Passion and the Resurrection. The church thus brings together a Romanesque building and a work created several centuries later. The church is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; admission is free. Check the opening hours again before your trip.

You can also listen to the free short audio tour “Visite audio flash: Saint Maurice: l’histoire d’une église merveilleuse” (Audio flash tour: Saint Maurice: the story of a wonderful church). It is available to use at any time each day; check in advance that digital access is available. The audio tour offers another way to learn about the church’s history.

Activities on the Ain

A canoe trip on the Ain is one of the outdoor activities in Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans. Canoë Club SMG offers five possible canoe routes, ranging from 5 to 36 kilometres. Launch points are in Blyes, Chazey, Gévrieux or Priay; from Pont-d’Ain, a two-day option with a bivouac is also possible. The route lengths make it easy to compare the options, while the bivouac offers the possibility of a longer trip. Launch points and operating periods may change; check them before making plans.

At the confluence of the Ain and Rhône, swimming in cool, clear water is possible as a leisure activity. Check conditions and access locally. The Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans canoe club also challenges participants to a 19-kilometre trail course. Event details and whether it will be held again may change; check the dates before planning your trail run.

Local history, paths and farm produce

Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans is accessible via the A42 motorway between Lyon and Geneva. The area’s heritage also includes old fountains. Numerous wayside crosses line the paths around the municipality. These smaller historical features complement the Église Saint-Maurice and extend the local sights beyond the church building. If you are interested in these details as well as architecture, the fountains and wayside crosses offer further points of interest during your stay.

At Aux délices des Roches, visitors can see the goats; check the visiting arrangements in advance. Cheese, farm produce and other handcrafted products are sold on site, and availability may vary seasonally. Visits and sales offer different points of interest: one focuses on the animals, the other on the farm’s products.

Discover more destinations: Prévessin-Moëns, Versonnex, Culoz, Jujurieux, Loyettes, Vonnas, Bellegarde-Sur-Valserine, Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois.

For the broader travel overview: Ain.