Ternay offers cultural and historical sites and green spaces as distinct points of interest for visitors. In the centre, you’ll find a Romanesque-style church and a priory; the visit described also includes the Parc de Chassagne, the Parc du Grand Clos and the Complexe sportif du Devès for experienced hikers. This lets you decide in advance whether you’re mainly interested in the historic town centre or would like to include the outdoor sites mentioned in your hiking plans. The Parc du Grand Clos also offers a place to relax beneath the trees.
Church, Priory and Local History
The Prieuré Saint-Pierre de Ternay comprises the Église Saint-Mayol, the former cloister, the convent buildings, the historic perimeter walls and the Jardin aux Moines. The site thus includes several distinct elements that together form the priory’s historic focal point. In the 10th century, a community of monks from Cluny settled there. The site had probably been dedicated to a monastery before then—so this earlier use should not be taken as an established fact.
The Château de La Porte is also part of Ternay’s cultural heritage: it is classified as a historic monument. The historic centre therefore offers both ecclesiastical and monastic history, as well as a distinctive château, as themes for your visit. If you’re especially interested in the historical character of a place, you can make these buildings the focus of your exploration without limiting your stay to just one type of building.
Visit Options and Walking Tour
A brochure for self-guided visits to the historic town centre is available from the Syndicat d’initiative. Guided visits are available there on request for a fee. You can choose between two different ways to explore: discover the town centre on your own with the brochure, or ask the Syndicat d’initiative about a guided tour. Check the current arrangements with them in advance if you’re planning a guided visit.
The visit to Ternay described here covers the historic town centre and, for experienced hikers, also the Parc de Chassagne, the Parc du Grand Clos and the Complexe sportif du Devès. The reference to experienced hikers is a useful distinction for planning: the additional sites are part of a hiking option specifically described for this group. If you’re mainly interested in architectural history, however, the historic town centre, with its church and priory, is the main focus.
Route and Green Spaces
The starting point for the Le jardin des moines route is clearly specified: it begins at the Parking Grand Clos on chemin de Combe Mayol. Access is via route de Sérézin (RD D612). Check that the route is currently accessible before setting out, as conditions may change. Knowing the starting point helps you distinguish this route from a visit to the historic town centre and plan your way accordingly.
Each green space also has its own character. The Jardin aux Moines is next to the church. A garden stretches across the château terraces, while the Parc du Grand Clos offers a place to relax beneath the trees. So when making your choice, it’s not only a question of whether history or hiking should take centre stage: you can also consider whether you’re most interested in a garden near the church, a terraced garden or a break surrounded by greenery.
Discover more destinations: Jullié, Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, Villefranche Sur Saône, Les Ardillats, Jons, Vaux-En-Beaujolais, Albigny-sur-Saône, Arnas.
For the regional travel overview: Rhône.
