Bièvre-Valloire and Chambaran
Bièvre-Valloire and Chambaran
From the Bièvre plain to the Chambaran Natural Park, this region of ever-changing colours was the birthplace of some illustrious figures such as famous composer Berlioz or Mandrin the bandit.
It now benefits from its strategic location between Grenoble, Lyons, Valence and the nearby Saint-Geoirs Airport.
La Côte Saint André
This town was the birthplace of Hector Berlioz, and organises a highly-reputed classical music festival every summer in memory of the great composer.
Tel. 04 74 20 61 43
> www.cc-bievre-liers.fr
Bressieux
In times gone by the village of Bressieux, dominated by the ruins of its 13th-century brick chateau (now in ruins), was a major seigniorial fief and one of the biggest baronies in Dauphiné.
Tel. 04 74 20 15 45
> www.musee-bressieux.com
Marnans
Marnans church is a fine example of Romanesque art in Dauphiné, and is used for an original music festival every summer
> www.tourisme.fr/tourist-office/marnans.htm
Roybon
On the edge of the Bièvre plain, at the heart of Lower Dauphiné, Roybon is the main town in the Chambaran area.
On the main square in the village there is a replica of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from sculptor Bartholdi.
> roybon.fr
Worth seeing
Hector Berlioz museum
This 17th-century town house is where the composer was born and has now been converted into a museum dedicated to his life and work
Tel. 04 74 20 24 88
> www.musee-hector-berlioz.com
Chambaran Natural Park
This vast plateau covering 300 hectares is covered by an oak, beech and chestnut forest and provides a habitat for a large number of plant and animal species.
Tel. 04 74 20 14 93.
