Trevoux

Visit Trevoux, Rhone-Alpes

Trevoux is a quiet little town on the edge of the Saone river however it has a number of very impressive buildings, evidence of the town's importance in the past.

If you head for the tourist office they can give you a map which highlights the key sights in the town. The tourist office is housed in the 'Sires de Villars house'. This has an attractive stone oriel window  and is home to an exhibition of diamond dies - the things that a wire is passed through to make it smooth and even.

From the tourist office head up the Rue du Port and you will see some fine 15th and 16th century houses.  A little further east is the Hopital Montpensier which was opened in 1686 and contains an interesting apothecary collection.

One of the main buildings to see in Trevoux is the old parliamentary building, the Hotel du Gouvernement de Dombes, which was built in the 17th to 18th century. Inside its 'Salle d'audience' has practically every inch of its walls and ceilings covered in beautiful paintings. It really is something to see.

Other sights to see include the printing houses where the famous 'Trevoux Dictionary' was produced; the Villars gateway - a stone entranceway through the medieval fortifications, and a 17th century clock tower.

At the top of the town is Trevoux's fortified castle with its unusual octagonal tower. The chateau was built in the 14th century and has an attractive striped pattern built into its brickwork. Guided visits are available on weekends from April to September.

A little history

Trevoux was once the capital of the Principality of the Dombes and part of the Germano-Roman Empire. It has a medieval fortified keep built during this period of its history. During the 18th century Trevoux was the seat of Parliament for this area. Trevoux was also famous for its dictionary - the dictionnaire de Trévoux' - which was known throughout Europe in the 18th century. In recent times Trevoux has established an important industry of wire making using diamond dies.

Close to the village

There is an aquapark called Les Cascades which is popular with families.

See Rhone-Alpes and Ain (the region and department for Trevoux) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Trevoux: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Photos of Trevoux

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Suggested places to visit near Trevoux, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Eveux 18km; Dombes 19km; Belleville 19km; Lyon 21km; Perouges 31km; Solutre-Pouilly 40km; Macon 41km; Cremieu 44km; Bourg-en-Bresse 46km; Vienne 47km;

Trevoux tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Jardins du Château de Saint-Bernard - remarkable garden (7km) : Parc du château de Laye - remarkable garden (14km) : Ecully - ville fleurie 4* (19km) : Parc de la Tête d'Or - remarkable garden (19km) : Parc de Gerland - remarkable garden (21km) : Abbaye Saint Martin d'Ainey (Lyon) - religious monument (21km) : Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Lyon) - religious monument (21km) : Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne - recommended detour (24km) :

See more places and a map at places near Trevoux