Grézieu-le-Marché lies on the watershed at the western end of the Monts du Lyonnais. The Gimond valley forms the commune’s southern boundary, and the Brévenne valley its northern boundary. Hills, meadows and farmland define the area, along with a viewpoint, hiking options and the Église St Barthélémy. This makes it easy to tailor a stay to your interests: scenery and outdoor activities, architecture or local food.

Hilly scenery and views

The landscape is hilly, with meadows predominating. The commune also has numerous corn and grain fields. This mix reflects the agricultural character of Grézieu-le-Marché. For a view across a wider area, head to the Table d'orientation de Champesan: from there, an unobstructed panorama stretches across the landscapes of the Monts du Lyonnais. The viewpoint is on a marked hiking trail, making it easy to combine the scenery with a walk around a specific point of interest.

The Église St Barthélémy

The Église St Barthélémy was completed in 1886. Sainte-Marie-Perrin designed it with Bossan in the Romanesque-Byzantine style. The bell tower also has a distinctive feature: it houses a complete carillon of eight bells. Its completion date, style and carillon offer architecture enthusiasts several specific points of interest to help them appreciate the building.

Hiking and cycling

The “Le barrage de la Gimond” hiking route starts at the car park by the town hall in the village centre. It is suitable for hiking in all seasons, is marked in yellow, and forms part of the “Sentiers du Rhône” and “GR® de Pays Monts et Coteaux du Lyonnais” networks. Check seasonal conditions before setting out. The named starting point and trail markings make this hiking option easy to follow.

The Barrage de la Gimond is well suited to family walks. For planning purposes, this can be distinguished from the named hiking route: the route starts at the town hall in the village centre, while the barrage itself is a destination for family walks. The Table d'orientation de Champesan is also on a marked hiking trail. There are therefore several ways to enjoy the landscape, without having to combine them into a single outing.

For a cycling trip, the Circuit VTT 124 – Brévenne Gimond is another named option. It is identified by a red FFC-VTT marker and the number 124. This route information makes it easier to distinguish a hiking plan from a mountain-biking option; the marker and number specify how the route is identified.

Agriculture and local produce

Les Jardins du Pré sells seasonal vegetables, eggs, preserved vegetables and jams from organic farming. Its offerings may vary by season, so check availability before planning a purchase. Some farms also welcome visitors for farm tours by prior reservation and sell farm produce by prior reservation. Confirm availability and make a reservation before your visit.

Grézieu-le-Marché’s peri-urban location supports the development of direct sales and farm processing of cheese, fruit and vegetables. Together with Les Jardins du Pré’s offerings and farm visits that require reservations, this provides a distinct way to experience local agriculture: from buying seasonal produce to visiting a farm. If you would like to combine nature, culture and regional food, you can take these different interests into account when choosing your stay.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Cyr-Au-Mont-D'or, Vaugneray, Ternay, Jons, Thurins, Saint-Lager, Theizé, Aigueperse

For the full travel guide: Rhône.