Frontonas

1. The heritage of Frontonas

In the Middle Ages, this town had 3 fortified houses:

– Château Saint-Julien: a former 12th-century fortified house partially destroyed during the French Revolution, the building was remodeled several times, becoming a pleasure castle from 1836 onwards under the impetus of the Countess of Chaponay. Some elements, such as the keep, were added later. King Francis I is said to have stayed at Château Saint-Julien during a trip to the Dauphiné region. From the 1960s onwards, the estate was developed into a holiday center. Today, it houses "Château Saint-Julien," a bistro-style restaurant and reception venue.

– The Château de La Tour (private site), at a place called Massonas: built in the 14th century on a slight relief dominating the Charamel valley, the main tower is original and the current dwelling dates from the 17th century.

– The remains of the Certeau fortified house (private site): built in the 15th century, it was extended with a tower on the north facade in the 16th century. Two round towers surround a dwelling.
The southern one has a spiral staircase, the northern one has a keep with mullioned windows.


Other monuments:

– The Saint-Julien de Frontonas church: a 19th century historic monument listed in the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage.

– The Rebat oil mill: restored in the 1990s, it is a waterwheel mill (equipped with a vertical axis wheel) that takes advantage of the region's gentle slope. This type of mill is rare in the area, simpler to operate but with a lower output than a more conventional mill with a horizontal axis. The town may have had two other mills, one at the "mill canal" and the other at the Charamel pond.

– The Pignieu lime kilns: built on the hillside, they made it possible to produce lime by heating limestone stones. When limestone is heated to high temperatures, it turns into lime which is used in construction to make mortar and plaster, or in agriculture to improve soil quality.

– The Saint-Martin cross: equipped with an orientation table, this site offers a beautiful panorama of the territory.



2. The Sensitive Natural Area of ​​the Charamel Peatland

It constitutes the boundary between the commune of Frontonas and Panossas. This 150 hectare site is characterized by its peat bog and pond, as well as the presence of wet and dry environments which allows for a great diversity of species such as the pond turtle.



3. The traditional celebration of the Turkey Fair

An unmissable event that has celebrated tradition for over 200 years, taking place every year at the end of August.