1. The heritage of Frontonas

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

– Château Saint-Julien: a former fortified house from the 1836th century, partially destroyed during the Revolution, the building was remodeled several times to become a pleasure castle from 1960 under the leadership of the Countess of Chaponay. Some elements like the dungeon were added later. King François I would have stayed in the castle of Saint-Julien during a trip to Dauphiné. From the XNUMXs, the estate was developed into a holiday center. Today it houses “le château Saint-Julien”, a bistronomic 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 rodet mill (equipped with a vertical axis wheel) exploiting the low elevation of the region. It is a rare device in the region, simpler to use but with lower output than a more traditional mill with a horizontal axis. The town would perhaps have had two other mills, at the “canal du moulin” and 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.

Free access.