A medieval bridge, an urban woodland and the history of the felt hat industry give Bourg-De-Péage several distinctive points of interest. If you’d like to combine walking routes with local history, you can choose from a riverside circuit, a longer family walk and sights around the town.
Routes Between the River and Green Spaces
The “Les Rives de l’Isère” walking trail runs along the left bank of the Isère in Bourg-De-Péage. Its circular route, about 4.6 kilometres long, focuses on the river. By contrast, the six-kilometre “Au Fil des Cadres” family walk passes through Bourg-De-Péage, along the quays, through Bois des Naix, past notable buildings and sculptures. The routes therefore differ both in length and in what they take in: one follows the left bank, while the other combines the riverbanks, green space and town views. If you’d like to bring several of these elements together on one walk, “Au Fil des Cadres” offers the more varied option.
The two-kilometre quays have secure pedestrian paths, a cycle path, children’s play facilities and observation pontoons. Bois des Naix is a 12-hectare green space in the centre of town. It adds a distinct green area to the riverside paths. The wood is considered an ecosystem with 140 animal species, some of which are regarded as noteworthy because of their rarity. Families can also take a permanent orienteering course there, with 20 control points. Course details may change; check them in advance if you plan to take part. Public facilities can also change, so it is worth checking the latest information if you have specific expectations.
The Old Bridge and Hat-Making History
The medieval Old Bridge of Bourg-De-Péage had a gate tower at its southern end. On the northern side stood the Notre-Dame-du-Pont chapel and a small hospital. Repeated floods of the Isère damaged the bridge; the scar left by its destroyed second arch is still visible today. The name Bourg-De-Péage comes from tolls once levied on goods at the southern entrance to the bridge. In this way, the bridge and the town’s name are directly connected to the movement of goods across the bridge in the past.
The felt hat industry is also part of the town’s history. It was introduced in Bourg-De-Péage around 1810. By the mid-19th century, it employed more than 400 workers in 16 workshops. The company Mossant, a pioneer of the hat industry in Bourg-De-Péage, reached a later peak: in 1929, at the height of its development, it employed more than 1,200 people. The local hat industry comprised 16 workshops in the mid-19th century; in 1929, Mossant as a company employed more than 1,200 people.
Market and Leisure Activities
A market is held on Thursday mornings in the Renaissance quarter. If you’d like to include it in your plans, check the date in advance, as market times may change. The Maison Pascalis shop in Bourg-De-Péage houses a bakery and the Pogne Museum—another link to local crafts and food culture, alongside the history of the felt hat industry.
The Diabolo Aquatic Centre in Bourg-De-Péage offers sports, relaxation and leisure activities all year round, seven days a week. Operating information may change; check the latest details before your visit. It provides an activity that complements walking routes, riverside areas and historic sites.
Discover more destinations: Montmiral, Montsegur Sur Lauzon, Pont-De-L'isère, Mirabel-Aux-Baronnies, Beaumont-En-Diois, La Roche-De-Glun, Saint-Barthélemy-De-Vals, Bésignan
For the broader travel overview: Drôme.
