The Girodon silk weaving mill and the workers’ town were listed as historic monuments on 17 July 1990. The Tourbière des Planchettes is designated in Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux as an Espace naturel sensible (ENS) with site code SL040 and comprises wetland, pond and heath habitats.
Anyone planning a trip to Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Culture
With the opening of the Girodon silk weaving mill, Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux became a workers’ community in the 19th century. The present-day buildings of the Manufacture de soierie et cité ouvrière Girodon were constructed between 1873 and 1875. The Girodon silk weaving mill consists of two sections connected by a central glass roof. In 1875, a workers’ boarding house built from rammed earth was also added.
The historic buildings also include the Maison en torchis. It is a former 17th-century tannery built entirely of clay and timber framing. It was restored while preserving traditional construction techniques. The Eglise St Siméon is open during the day.
Nature
The discovery trail to the Tourbière des Planchettes leads through the forest to a footbridge over the wetland, from which the wetland can be observed at close range. The Tourbière des Planchettes also has a marked circular trail that takes about two hours. The car park for the Tourbière des Planchettes is signposted from Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux.
Hiking
The “De soieries en châteaux” circular trail is of moderate difficulty, 6.1 kilometres long and takes about two hours. It leads to architectural heritage sites dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century and is signposted with yellow markings for “Promenade et Randonnée”.
Local crafts
Moulin Pion Vignon produces walnut and hazelnut oil in a traditional water mill.
