What to do in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne?

10 ideas for outings

in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne

1. Visit the Market of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne

Classified as an “outstanding market” in the national heritage list, it brings together some sixty producers from all over the region on more than 300 meters of stalls.

What day is the Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne market?

Châtillon’s traditional market takes place every Saturday morning in the old market building. Throughout the year, a whole succession of producers come to sell their cheese, poultry, game, Dombes fish, meat and charcuterie, as well as takeaway food. There’s also an area set aside for live poultry. An exceptional setting and quality products that earned this market the title of third “Most Beautiful Market of France” in 2021!

An Organic Market, organized by Lunab, saw the light of day in 2020. Every Wednesday morning, you’ll find around ten organic producers in the market building!

Where to park at Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne market?

The easy solution is to park in the AquaDombes swimming pool parking lot. The free Marguerite shuttle also takes you to the market from Espace Bel-Air, with round trips every 15mn. If you arrive before 9 a. or after 11.30 am, you’re sure to find space in the Post Office or cemetery parking lots.

2. Stroll around the medieval town

What is there to see in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne?

The medieval town of Châtillon is well worth a visit! Take a stroll through Châtillon, and you’ll discover a town full of character and history, with numerous listed buildings, flower-bedecked bridges and parks where you can relax.

Nicknamed the “Little Venice of the Dombes” because of the many flower-bedecked bridges straddling the river Chalaronne, Châtillon is a treasure trove of heritage gems! Take the opportunity to visit the 13th-century Gothic church of Saint-André, the 15th-century market building, the Maison Saint-Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), a “Maison des Illustres”, the Villars Gate, a vestige of the fortified walls, the old hospital, the remains of the feudal castle, the cobbled streets with their half-timbered houses…

The tourist map

3. Solve riddles as a family

Family puzzle game in Châtillon

“The Physalis Escape” is a puzzle game in the medieval town of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne. The story is set in the year 1766. Young and old alike will have to help Physalis, a 16-year-old girl with a passion for botany, to escape from the town and set off on a trip around the world.

This is a great way to explore Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and its historic past, while having fun as a family.

To play, simply buy a game kit, on sale at Châtillon Tourist Office for €10.

Discover the Physalis game

4. Visit the old hospital and apothecary of Châtillon

Discover the hospice of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, an old hospital operating as far back as the Middle Ages and home to a wealth of treasures.

Let Eolia guide you through these walls, as she introduces you to the 19th-century woodwork, the 1814 apothecary with its Meillonnas earthenware and “the Triptych of Lamentation” dating from 1527.

Also take the opportunity to discover the herb garden of medicinal plants, accessible via the courtyard of the former hospital.

The old hospital and apothecary.

5. Take an 11.5 km hike in Châtillon

Roam the medieval town of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and its surroundings with this 11.5 km hike.
Discover the medieval streets, the Old Château, the natural area of the Prés Gaudet, the Relevant valley and the Arboretum. Fans of beautiful stone architecture and nature lovers, take note!

6. Picnic in one of Châtillon’s parks

Where can you picnic in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne?

Enjoy the cool shade of the trees in the Clos Janin Park, with tables and benches all around.

Several tables also await you at the Arboretum of Châtillon, an ideal place to stroll, relax and recharge your batteries. Located 2 km from the center of Châtillon, the Arboretum is the former property of a passionate arboriculturist, Henri Navel, and has now been transformed into a 12-hectare site featuring 353 remarkable trees.
As you stroll through the park, you’ll be able to read the signs identifying the trees, some of which are very rare and even endangered.
To get to the Arboretum, all you have to do is follow the signs with a bee. There’s plenty of free parking right outside the entrance.
The Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne Arboretum is open free of charge 24/7.

It’s also possible to stop for a picnic on the benches on the banks of the Prés Gaudet pond or in the Medicinal Herb Garden, where you can enjoy the view over the ramparts of the ancient castle.

7. Enter a world in miniature

A sense of wonder for young and old

For enthusiasts or lovers of model trains, for young and old alike, travel to the heart of a magical world made up of real and imaginary landscapes and scenes from everyday life, all in miniature.

The Alps, Lyon, Provence, trains of all kinds passing through the landscapes, with many nods to the world of cinema. See if you can spot them all!

Allow an hour’s visit to appreciate all the hidden details of this Model Train Museum, located 20 meters from the market hall.

The Miniature Train Museum

8. Discover arts and crafts

Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne was awarded the “Ville et Métiers d’Art” label in September 2004. Our beautiful medieval town boasts a number of artisans whose workshops are on site or nearby. As you stroll through the town, don’t hesitate to visit the studios of Châtillon’s craftspeople. Award-winning stained-glass artists, a bookbinder, a traditional saddler and harness maker, an upholsterer and decorator, a ceramicist, a jeweller… A host of exciting encounters await you with these fascinating professions, which combine ancient techniques and modern creations.

These artisans are members of a craftsmen’s association called ARTIS. This association brings together the artisans of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and organizes the Potters’ Market in the market building once every two years.

The ARTIS Community

Vitrailliste Flavie Bereziat Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne

9. Attend a horse race

Bel-Air, the racecourse of Châtillon

From March to June, come and discover horse racing at the Bel-Air racecourse in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne.

Depending on the discipline (trotting, flat racing or jumping), the track is between 1000 and 1325m in circumference, and the grandstands can accommodate up to 5000 spectators!

Rare moments to be experienced with family and friends!

More info on horse racing at Châtillon

10. Swimming at AquaDombes

Where can you swim in Dombes?

Located near the center of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, AQUADOMBES is an aquatic center with several indoor pools and an outdoor pool with fun features for the whole family. There’s also a wellness area, accessible only to those over 18, with sauna, hammam and balneotherapy trail.

More info on AquaDombes

Outside Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, you can also visit NautiDombes in Villars-les-Dombes.

Are the Dombes ponds suitable for swimming?

You cannot swim in the Dombes ponds, most of which are privately owned and home to many coypu, carriers of Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that’s dangerous to humans.

We recommend bathing in the river Ain at Châtillon-la-Palud, Villette-sur-Ain, Priay or Chambod. Be careful, however, as swimming is not supervised.