Presentation
The micro-adventures of the Beaujolais Geopark guide you through wide open spaces and introduce you to local producers. Along this route, the hidden treasures trail invites you to discover the architectural gems of Villefranche-sur-Saône.
During this route, the hidden treasures circuit invites you to discover the architectural gems of Villefranche-sur-Saône.
In the heart of the historic center of Villefranche-sur-Saône, the hidden treasures circuit invites you to discover the architectural gems of the capital of Beaujolais.
Throughout history, builders have erected remarkable monuments, but it is especially those of the Renaissance period that have given the city its prestige. Beyond their architectural appeal, the Renaissance courtyards and houses offer a wonderful glimpse into the geological resources of the Beaujolais region and beyond.
The iconic golden stone is, of course, present, its ease of working allowing its use in numerous applications (rubble, columns, lintels). It is not uncommon to observe gryphaea fossils embedded in the gray stone, often used in the form of slabs (door steps, stair treads) that correspond to the limestone beds. The white stone of Lucenay adorns, among other things, the Gothic façade of the Notre-Dame des Marais collegiate church. Thanks to its fine grain, it allows for the creation of exceptionally delicate pieces, which can be found in some courtyards and on the walls of houses. The Rue Nationale, which houses the main buildings, has a distinctive north-south profile.
At the collegiate church, we are at the lowest point of the street. This characteristic stems from the fact that the town was built on the banks of the Morgon, a tributary of the Saône, now hidden by urban development and visible only in a few places in Villefranche. The Morgon ensured the prosperity of the town until the second half of the 19th century, allowing for the establishment of laundries, tanneries, and dye works.
STOP PRODUCERS at the Villefranche Covered Market
Type : Roaming
Distance : 2km
Elevation : 60m
Duration : 1h
Difficulty : Easy