Monuments to visit Rhône-Alpes

Started in 1935, the construction of the Eagle Dam was completed only in 1945. It was nicknamed the «Resistance Dam», because its construction site housed the Cantal Army Resistance Organization during World War II. The shadow amée voluntarily delayed its construction, so as not to offer additional energy power to the occupier. The Eagle Dam is also distinguished by its architecture. It is 290 m long and 90 m high. The construction of a fifth production group in 1982 makes it the most powerful EDF in the Dordogne basin with an installed power of 360 MW. A guide will make you discover the operation of hydroelectricity and allow you to enter the heart of the EDF's EDF plant. An industrial heritage that contributes to the duty of memory: it is essential!

On foot or by bike, but definitely more by train, the old railway connecting Montluçon to the thermal city of Neris-les-Bains today offers a nice walk: a 6 km low distance route with views. And because of it! You will not free less than four viaducts, the highest of which is 51 meters high. Unless you have the verge, families and friends will surely find their happiness!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 6 km.

Difficulty: easy.

Because very few Lyon inhabitants know the true story of this tower, a must-visit in the landscape, Futé is proud to present it like a curiosity in this guide. This Lyon Eiffel Tower, making passing Parisians laugh, was opened to public on 3rd May, 1894. Its construction was decided by a group of craftsmen supported by the city, opposite to Fourvière, to... put the Basilica in a republican shade! Indeed, since its construction, Fourvière is not the highest point in Lyon anymore and it is this republican tower that dominates the city at an altitude of 372 m. Formerly, it hosted a restaurant and a belfry from where people could enjoy the view. The tower is sold in 1953 to the ORTF, in order to not demolish it. Since then inaccessible to the public, it supports now transmitters and continue on scoffing at Fourvière.

Located a few kilometres from Villié-Morgon, this superb castle deserves a great deal of attention. In the th century it was a defensive fortress, necessary since Burgundy was not far away. From that time remained the square dungeon, the walls, the mass and the towers. In the th century, the Lord of St. Lager became the master and bound to embellish him. In the th century, the Renaissance left a significant mark as evidenced by the inner courtyard and its galleries. Many sculptures adorn its walls. You can visit the courtyard, the kitchen with its huge fireplace, the Gothic chapel and the oubliettes. Don't forget to look in the air: Corcelles has exceptional structures.

Nicknamed "The Eagle's Nest", this residence you cannot visit, rises along the meanders of the Val d'Amby, at the top of a rocky escarpment which dominates the only route to access the plateau. It was in this admirable and solitary landscape that Edouard Herriot chose to end his life when he acquired this residence, built in the th century for the Laure family, and reworked in the th century.

Like most castles in the surrounding area, that of the Écherolles visits only from outside. But this is enough to be dazzled. Its vast park first planted, on the edge of the Allier, but also its neo-Gothic style. It is estimated that it was built between the th and th centuries. You can see the two tours towers, the sculpted windows, the échauguettes, and the round stable.

Bought by the municipality in 1876, the building housing the town hall was once a convent welcoming the nuns of Saint-Ursule. The statue of Michel from the Hospital stands in the courtyard. The stone stairs of Volvic are modern construction. Its belfry, built in 1771, houses a jacquemart to three characters of the th century and the old bells of Notre-Dame church.

Built in 1571 under the reign of Charles IX, the mill d'Arche is a magnificent dauphinoise building in nature, surrounded by the river and its tributary. It is now under restoration. A walk along the river will take you to the ruins of a 1570 walnut press to the mouth of the Chogne in the Rhône. It is a gourmet place where you can find exceptional breads in one of the best bakeries in the region.

This castle, built in 1470 by Guillaume Armuet, dominates the Jarrie valley and enjoys an exceptional location in the heart of nature. Although its roof collapsed in 1917, its facades made of pebbles and schist, as well as its four corner turrets give it a proud appearance in the middle of the landscape. The building had different owners until the commune bought it from the descendants of the Jouvin family in 1976. Since 1978, the Association for the Safeguarding of the Bon Repos Castle has been in charge of securing the monument and keeping it alive.

For a long time the castle perched in Montaigut dominates its high silhouette in the Couze-Chambon valley. The th century imposant tower flanked by its th-century stair turret has just regained its lustre. In the early seventies the dungeon threatens to collapse and the last owners do not want to repair. In 1975 the castle is redeemed by a clermontois architect who unfortunately dies before his restoration work is completed. The Sauvadet family then takes over and completes the restoration of the dungeon in which the guest rooms are installed by a beautiful vis staircase finished by a vault with the lion of the Montaigut. On the other hand, there are only a few remains of the large fortified polygonal enclosure, but we note the good state of the eastern door of the village, although there are only two corbeaux in support of the machicolated that protected it.