Vourles offers travellers three distinct themes: local history, regional production and countryside. The Maison Forte brings the history to life in a particularly tangible way; the Marché de Vourles and L’Alambic offer insights into local production and processing.
Countryside and River
Natural areas and land used for agriculture account for half of the municipality’s area. These include forests, orchards and fields. These details give the countryside a clear place in Vourles’ character, alongside the town’s cultural and historical themes.
The Garon, a small river flowing down from the Monts du Lyonnais, runs along the western foot of Vourles and empties into the RhĂ´ne at Givors. Its course creates a clear geographical link between the Monts du Lyonnais and the RhĂ´ne. For your travel plans, this aspect of the landscape complements the history and themes related to regional produce.
Traces of Different Eras
The Maison Forte de Vourles has Gallo-Roman origins. Remains of channels made from bricks and roof tiles are consistent with this. Frescoes dating from the 16th century form another historical layer, depicting discoveries about the solar system made at the time. The Maison Forte thus brings together archaeological traces and a later depiction of the understanding of the world.
The Église Saint Bonnet is also associated with specific artists: its stained-glass windows bear the signatures of Baron Mauvernau, Dufêtre and Jean Fusaro. The Fresque des Vourlois offers a different perspective. The Cité de la Création painted it in 2005, portraying figures from the history of Vourles. For travellers interested in culture, these provide different ways of presenting local history side by side: archaeological remains, frescoes, stained-glass windows and a mural.
Market and Regional Produce
The Marché de Vourles was established in 1956 as a wholesale market at the initiative of producers. It initially accepted only fruit growers from the south of Lyon, the Monts du Lyonnais and the Loire. Today, the market offers fresh and processed produce from farms in the region; individual producers and product ranges may change.
The Marché de Vourles is the only market in the Rhône department with the “Producteur de Pays” label. If this is important to your travel plans, check the label status again before your visit. This makes clear the difference between the market’s historical role and its current offering: its establishment as a wholesale market is part of its history, while regional produce describes what it offers today.
L’Alambic is another facet of local craft. The renovated L’Alambic distils grape pomace as well as fruits such as plums, pears and apricots. These fruits illustrate the types of produce distilled there, but do not imply that visitors can access the site.
Guided Tour and Accompanying Booklet
The guided tour “Les trésors cachés de Vourles” takes visitors through the lanes of Vourles. Before booking, check whether it is running on your chosen date. A free accompanying booklet for the Sentier découverte du patrimoine de Vourles is available at the tourist information offices of the Monts du Lyonnais destination. As the booklet’s availability may change, it is advisable to enquire in advance if you plan to use it.
The two offerings differ in format: the tour is explicitly a guided exploration through the lanes, while a free accompanying booklet is available for the Sentier. If you are looking for a hotel in Vourles, you can weigh these cultural themes, regional production and the landscape as different factors when choosing your destination.
Discover more destinations: Brignais, Frontenas, Anse, Brullioles, Lamure-sur-Azergues, Dième, Sathonay-Camp, Avenas.
For the broader travel overview: RhĂ´ne.
