A spacious city park, waterside leisure activities and a dedicated cultural centre give Décines-Charpieu a variety of sides. Raymond Troussier City Park covers 96,000 m², 60 percent of which is green space. It was redesigned in 2019. There is also the Biézin natural area, the banks of the Canal de Jonage and La Rize, as well as places for culture and dining. When planning your trip, you can choose different focuses between nature, activity and local history.
Green spaces and trails
Raymond Troussier City Park offers a clear sense of scale for spending time outdoors: its total area is 96,000 m², with green spaces making up 60 percent. For those who want to compare different natural areas, Biézin offers a different scale. This natural area covers 25 hectares between Décines-Charpieu and Chassieu. At 25 hectares, it is larger in area than the city park. Biézin also has a 3.2-kilometre route and outdoor exercise equipment. These figures and facilities can help you choose between a city park and a more extensive natural area.
La Rize is also part of the leisure offering. The small river flows through Décines, Vaulx-en-Velin and Villeurbanne and serves as a place for leisure and exploration. Its banks offer options for walks on foot or by bicycle, including an outdoor fitness trail, children’s play areas and an introductory fishing course. There is also a diverse range of wildlife and plant life. At La Rize, nature watching and various leisure activities go hand in hand.
Along the Canal de Jonage, the banks in Décines-Charpieu form a route for pedestrians and cyclists. Another reference point for planning a cycling trip is the pedestrian and cycle bridge built as part of the Anneau Bleu: it crosses the canal and is part of a protected cycling connection between the town centres of Décines-Charpieu and Vaulx-en-Velin. These two features describe different ways to explore the area on foot or by bicycle.
Canal de Jonage and Grand Large
The Canal de Jonage and the Grand Large reservoir were built at the end of the 19th century to supply the Cusset hydroelectric power station. Their origins explain the connection between these two waterworks and energy supply. Today, sailing, rowing, windsurfing, swimming and fishing take place at Grand Large. The options range from activities on the water to spending time on the shore. If a particular water sport is important to your plans, check its current availability before your visit.
Culture, history and food
Le Toboggan is the cultural centre of Décines-Charpieu. It includes an event hall with 664 seats, the Ciné Toboggan cinema with 150 seats, and the La Spirale exhibition space. These different venues give the cultural programme a variety of formats: events, film screenings and exhibitions. If a particular event is central to your stay, it is worth checking the programme when planning your visit.
One historical landmark is the Motte féodale du Moléron, a medieval castle mound dating from the 11th century. It adds a testament to Décines-Charpieu’s older history to its cultural venues. Those who want to include both contemporary cultural offerings and historical sites in their trip will find different points of interest here, without conflating the two.
The Halles Décinoises in the town centre are a place for food and local produce. The venue opened on 15 November 2019, with a focus on gastronomy, local products and responsible eating. Regular market days include Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is also the permanent Café des Halles. Alongside nature and culture, this provides a specific culinary focus for planning your trip.
Plan your stay around your interests
Which of these sides you prioritise depends on your plans: Biézin combines a natural setting with opportunities to exercise; La Rize adds riverbanks and leisure activities; while the Canal de Jonage offers both a waterside route and water sports at Grand Large. For culture, there are Le Toboggan and the Motte féodale du Moléron; for gastronomy and local products, the Halles Décinoises.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Genis-Laval, Sathonay-Camp, Jullié, Vourles, Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, Vernay, Solaise, Denicé.
Back to the broader travel overview: Rhône.
