Amplepuis lies on the ocean-facing slope of the Monts du Beaujolais, in Beaujolais Vert. Its wooded surroundings, marked by hedgerow landscapes, range in elevation from 336 to 868 metres. Nature and culture sit side by side in Amplepuis: the Musée Barthélémy Thimonnier displays sewing machines and bicycles, the Déchelette district reflects the town’s textile-industry past, and paths wind through the expansive green space of Clos du Crêt Park. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between focusing on the museum and industrial history or spending time in the park, with its paths and nature trail.
Sewing machines and bicycles at the Musée Barthélémy Thimonnier
The Musée Barthélémy Thimonnier is located in the centre of Amplepuis, in a former hospital and its chapel. The collection includes sewing machines and bicycles; it is also home to France’s first public collection of sewing machines. Since 19 July 2005, the museum has held the designation “Musée de France” under French heritage law. Its clearly defined collection makes it a special destination for anyone interested in sewing machines; the bicycles broaden the focus to include other objects on display. The museum thus showcases not just a single object, but a collection that brings together two distinct themes.
Textile industry and geopark in the Déchelette district
The Déchelette district offers another cultural perspective. Its buildings, made from local microgranite, form a distinctive architectural ensemble from the industrial era. The district is also a rare testament to the region’s textile-industry past and a geosite within the Beaujolais UNESCO Global Geopark. Here, architecture, industrial history and the geopark context come together at the same named location. If you want to broaden your cultural itinerary beyond the museum collection, the district complements the sewing machines and bicycles with an architectural theme.
Walking routes and a nature trail at Clos du Crêt
Clos du Crêt Park offers a different focus. It covers 22 hectares; the municipality of Amplepuis acquired most of the land in 2011. A nature trail about local fauna and flora was created there in 2023. Check the trail’s current condition locally before your visit. Two urban circular routes cross the park and can be explored on foot or by bicycle. As routes may change, it is worth checking the latest information. The “Des dégringoules au vert” hiking trail in Amplepuis can be combined with the wooded grounds of Clos du Crêt, its fitness trail and nature trail. This gives you different ways to explore the park: follow the circular routes, or combine them with the named hiking trail and the park’s facilities.
Cultural programme and Saturday market
The cultural programme extends beyond the museum. The Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture d’Amplepuis is located in a former girls’ school and offers family shows, a film club, café debates and concerts. The programme may change, so check the dates in advance if you want to attend a particular event. A food market takes place on Place de l’Industrie on Saturday mornings. Market arrangements may also change, so it is a good idea to confirm the date before your visit. Saturday morning is therefore a specific time to bear in mind if you want to include the market in your plans.
A hike with a TER connection
The “Amplepuis via Saint-Jean-la-Bussière” hiking trail is accessible via Amplepuis TER station. Before planning your hike, check the connection that suits your travel day and the route details.
Discover more destinations: Pollionnay, Saint-Germain-Au-Mont-D'or, Le Perréon, Saint-Sorlin, Le Breuil, Les Ardillats, Saint-Cyr-Au-Mont-D'or, Feyzin
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