Holiday apartment in Villemoirieu: Nature, Village Life and Historic Sites

Villemoirieu combines tranquil landscapes, distinctive historic buildings and vibrant traditions. A holiday apartment in Villemoirieu is therefore appealing to anyone who would like to shape their stay around walks, cultural discoveries and regional village life. The local sights range from a species-rich wetland to former parish churches, fortified houses and a mineral museum.

Nature between Plains and Hills

The Marais de la Besseye has been designated an Espace Naturel Sensible by the Isère département. The 35-hectare natural area comprises reed beds, Cladium stands, alder forests, wetlands and dry meadows. It provides a habitat for amphibians and endangered wetland plants. Together with the landscapes of plains and hills, the Marais de la Besseye defines the tranquil side of Villemoirieu. Walks and hikes are an obvious way to explore the surroundings at your own pace.

Historic Sites with Different Stories

The Maison forte de Mallin was built by the Fayer family towards the end of the 15th century. Its most distinctive feature is the square, four-storey keep with a hipped roof. A four-storey open gallery connects it to the main building; the gallery has a lean-to roof. The Maison forte de Bienassis was built by the de Vallin family towards the end of the 14th or at the beginning of the 15th century. Its present appearance dates from work carried out in 1897, when Casimir Gournet sought to give the former feudal residence the appearance of a medieval fortress. Between 1804 and 1808, Alphonse de Lamartine stayed at the Maison forte de Bienassis several times.

The Maison forte de Beptenoud has been documented since 1332; its construction appears to date from the 14th century. Beptenoud is also home to the former parish church of Saint-Maurice, which is now a chapel. The Saint-Maurice church has the form characteristic of the Romanesque churches of the canton: a single-nave body, a small choir with a bellcote in the form of a bell gable, and a portal with a lintel resting on moulded corbels.

The Saint-Jean-Baptiste church also reflects several construction phases. It has been documented since 1172. The present church was rebuilt in 1837 with a coffered ceiling over the nave and rebuilt again in 1890; the foundation areas of the old bell tower were preserved. The Chapelle de Moirieu is a former parish chapel on the edge of the road to Moras. Its interior was restored in 2020.

Minerals at the Château de Montiracle

Mineralogica is a private museum in Villemoirieu, located in the Château de Montiracle, a former Templar commandery. On display are more than 2,500 mineral specimens and 200 related objects. The collection is distributed across around 30 display cases in four rooms.

Communal Bread Ovens and Festivals

While walking through the village, you can discover several communal bread ovens: Le Marais, Beptenoud, Mallin, Les Granges and Moirieu. Today, they are fired up for festivals organised by local associations. The annual events in Villemoirieu also include the Fête des Fours, a festival held at the beginning of summer. At “Courir à Villemoirieu”, Foyesses and bread are sold. Alongside nature and architectural heritage, such events give a stay a distinctly village-like character.

Holiday Apartment in Villemoirieu to Suit Your Interests

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house in Villemoirieu, you can base the focus of your stay on these themes: natural areas and hiking, historic architecture, minerals or local festivals.

Further Destinations

For orientation, find further destinations at Saint-Marcellin, Villefontaine, Le Péage-De-Roussillon, Porcieu-Amblagnieu, Chatte, Vaulnaveys-le-Haut, Corbelin and Janneyrias.

For the higher-level travel overview: Isere.