The best traffic-free bike rides around Les Côtes-D'Arey

beautiful bridge with great views

The Condrieu suspension bridge spans the Rhône between the towns of Condrieu in the Rhône department and Les Roches-de-Condrieu in the Isère department. The suspension bridge consists of two spans separated by a central concrete pylon forming an arch, in which the metal suspension cables are anchored. The entrance to the bridge is marked by two concrete pylons that receive the cables on the banks. These are connected to the deck by hangers. The deck, with its metal frame and reinforced concrete cover slab, carries a two-lane, two-way roadway, bordered by sidewalks lined with guardrails. The current Condrieu bridge is the second bridge to be built at this location; it replaces an earlier structure constructed in 1832 and declared to be in very poor condition in 1929. The 1934 work was barely completed when the bridge was closed in June 1940 due to an act of war. A cable ferry was put back into service to restore the river crossing. In spring 2025, due to structural weaknesses, the bridge was closed to traffic for several months while new cables were installed and reinforcement work was carried out.

Large painting commemorating the annual event in Condrieu: The first weekend in August is the Condrieu vogue, organized every year by 18-year-old conscripts. The Condrieu Nautical Society organizes the conscripts' joust, a tournament that sees both boys and girls compete on the tabagnon, not to mention the (almost) novices who sometimes display natural talent, watched over by veteran jousters and recruiters. Red boat, white boat, engines in action, lances ready... to the point of thrust. Lances in every square. Fall in the water! A large crowd in the stands: connoisseurs, augmented by cyclists from the Via Rhôna, walkers, tourists... seeking shade and, with voices and gestures, sparing neither encouragement nor advice.

View from the bridge between Roches de Condrieu and Condrieu.

Saint Martin, to whom the church of Les Cotes-D'Arey is dedicated, is - along with Saint Nicholas - probably one of the most popular saints of all. The memorial day of the former officer in the Roman army is November 11th. On the night after the famous “parting of the coat,” when he leaves half of his army cloak to a freezing beggar, Jesus Christ appears to him in a dream. He then converted to Christianity and was later elected bishop of Tours (France) - initially against his will. Many people will have fond childhood memories of making lanterns in kindergarten and primary school, the evening lantern parade through the dark village/district - and of course the delicious “Weckmann”.

From the cycle path along the Rhône.

Public place, accessible from the side. It was in the 11th century, in a primitive Romanesque style, that this chapel was built on a property belonging to the order of Cluny. It is dedicated to Saint Mamert, one of the first bishops of Vienne, whose tomb is kept in the former church of the Abbey of Saint-Pierre in Vienne, now a lapidary museum. Around 470, Saint Mamert had instituted the Rogations in order to protect agriculture from the frosts: these were processions that took place during the 3 days preceding the Ascension. It is part of the popular tradition of the saints of ice with Saint Pancrace and Saint Servais (11,12 and 13 May).

Located on a promontory, it offers a view of the agricultural plains and, in the distance, of the Pilat massif.