The Gier Aqueduct gives Chaponost a distinctive historical focus. Other attractions include a nature trail, a park, exhibitions and an educational farm. Together, these offer a range of themes for a stay: construction history, nature and natural history, art, and agriculture. You can start by considering which of these interests you want to shape your trip.

The Gier Aqueduct and its guided tours

The Gier Aqueduct dates back to the 2nd century AD. At the Plat de l'Air site, 72 of the 92 arches that once carried the channel in Roman times are still standing. The site also features the longest currently visible uninterrupted row of aqueduct arches in France. These figures describe different aspects: 72 out of 92 refers to the surviving arches, while the second statement compares the visible uninterrupted row. Construction date, original function and surviving structure are thus presented as distinct, concrete topics.

Guided tours at the Plat de l'Air site are organised throughout the year by reservation for groups of one or more people. Tours are available in French and English. Booking is important for planning; you can also take into account which of the two languages suits your group.

The tourist office organises full-day and half-day hikes that let you discover several surviving sections of the Roman Gier Aqueduct. The two formats differ in duration: you can set aside either half a day or a full day for this activity. This gives the hikes a different timeframe from the guided tours at Plat de l'Air.

Nature trail, park and Vallée en Barret

The Sentier pédagogique du Boulard passes through four habitats: the tree park, the stream, the pond and the forest. Twenty-eight illustrated panels explain animal and plant species. The trail draws attention both to the different habitats and to the species described there. At Parc du Boulard, visitors can stroll among century-old trees and picnic by the pond. While the nature trail focuses on information about animal and plant species, the park provides a setting for walks and a picnic by the water.

The Vallée en Barret is a sensitive natural area of ecological and historical interest. Its historical traces include the remains of the siphon bridge of the Roman Gier Aqueduct and the Guichardet Wall, with its pink, mesh-like masonry. Here, the natural setting and surviving architectural history come together as themes.

Exhibitions and agriculture

For a cultural experience beyond the history of the aqueduct, visit the Salle du Cuvier at Maison Berthelot in Chaponost. It is an exhibition venue where works by artists and associations are shown very regularly at weekends. The weekend schedule is a useful detail for planning if you would like to include art in your stay.

At Ferme du Milon, farm products and fresh produce from local producers are sold on site. The educational farm also offers group visits. Children can feed the animals and meet pigs, poultry, donkeys and Gribouille, the Highland cow. The visit then continues to the barn and sheepfold, before heading down to the pond and the Le Garon river. The offering thus includes both agricultural produce and a group visit with opportunities to meet the animals.

Discover more destinations: Mions, Blacé, Vaulx-En-Velin, Civrieux-d'Azergues, Saint-Martin-en-Haut, Brignais, Amplepuis, Saint-Georges-De-Reneins

For the broader travel overview: Rhône.