Saint-Clément-sur-Valsonne offers several themes for a voyage of discovery: the village church and its building history, Circuit 28 “Le long du Soanan,” and tours that must be arranged in advance. There is also the wayside cross at the hamlet of Le Perroux. These attractions offer different focuses for planning your trip: the church and wayside cross reflect the area’s history, the circuit showcases the landscape, and the tours take place at pre-arranged times.
Village church: building history and local stone
The village church of Saint-Clément-sur-Valsonne was rebuilt from 1887 onward. It contains a holy water font dating from 1610. The dates point to different periods: the font is from an earlier century than the rebuilding. The building material also has a specific local connection. The church was built from local stone sourced from a quarry below the retirement home.
For a look at the area’s cultural history, the building phase, a furnishing and the source of the materials all come together here. The holy water font and the rebuilding are two distinct points in time; the quarry adds the origin of the material to the building’s history. Those interested in religious buildings can therefore consider not only the building phase but also an older furnishing and the source of the stone used.
The wayside cross at the hamlet of Le Perroux
Another historical landmark is the wayside cross at the hamlet of Le Perroux. It is listed as a historic monument; it was added to the register on 16 December 1982. Its location is also precisely specified: the cross stands at the intersection of the Ruisseau du Tuillier stream and municipal road no. 3. The listing status and the location answer different questions: one concerns its historical classification, the other its precise position at the intersection. Le Perroux thus complements the details of the church’s history with a separate monument associated with a specific location.
Circuit 28 and views across the Soanan Valley
Circuit 28 “Le long du Soanan” follows sunny and shady paths between woods and meadows. The route includes the Haut Soly viewpoint, with views across the Soanan Valley. Along the way, different landscape features combine with a specifically named viewpoint. If you would rather focus your stay on landscapes and outdoor activity than on historic buildings, the circuit offers a distinct option. The valley views from Haut Soly add a specific viewpoint to the stretches between woodland and meadow.
Tours by appointment
At the Jean-Paul Decourd winery, tours of the wine cellar and press room, with a complimentary tasting, are offered by appointment. As the visit must be arranged in advance, you should confirm the time beforehand. The focus here is on the two named rooms and the tasting.
MINI’ MAUX offers guided tours exclusively by appointment, for groups of six or more. Visitors can meet two miniature mares, a miniature donkey, an alpaca, two domesticated sheep and a domesticated dwarf goat. MINI’ MAUX also has facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility. If these facilities are important for your plans, it is best to discuss your specific needs when arranging your appointment.
The difference between the two tour options is clear: the winery focuses on the wine cellar, press room and tasting; MINI’ MAUX on guided group tours and direct contact with the animals. Both require an appointment, while MINI’ MAUX also has a minimum group size of six.
Discover more destinations: Givors, Ambérieux, Limas, Dareizé, Pierre-Bénite, Fontaines-sur-Saône, Villié-Morgon, Chaponnay.
For the broader travel overview: Rhône.
