With nearly 7800 inhabitants, Les Avenières-Veyrins-Thuellin is the most populated commune in the Balcons du Dauphiné. A new municipality created on January 1, 2016, it brings together two historic municipalities, Les Avenières and Veyrins-Thuellin.


1. Les Avenières Veyrins-Thuellin and its heritage

The silk trade has marked the history of the town.
In the 20th century, silk weaving flourished mainly thanks to orders from Lyon silk workers. A thriving trade, which has shaped the village.
In 1880, a factory dating from 1750 was operated by a silk industrialist, Mr. Dullian, located in the hamlet of Quinquet, at a place called “Les Nappes”.
This factory was originally a silkworm farm, then a reeling workshop, before becoming a handloom weaving workshop and finally a mechanical weaving workshop in 1904, thanks to the new owner, Mr. Margand, also a silk industrialist.
The “Tissage Margand” factory operated until 1965. The buildings, completely renovated, now house a 5-star guest house, also a reception venue: Le Domaine du Manoir.

– 1, 2, 3 and 4 churches! The church of Buvin, that of Thuellin, the church of Veyrins and of course the church of Saint-Pierre des Avenières. Each has their own story to tell! Please note: the Avenières church is now closed to the public for security reasons.


In Thuellin:
– The castle (private property): you may see it while walking. This castle has a fascinating historical past: requisitioned by the German army in 1940, it then served as a refuge for the maquis. And did you know that its former owner was none other than Madame Beyle, Stendhal's sister?

– A former convent, dating from 1856, where the nuns of Providence ran the Free School for girls until 1903.


In Veyrins:
– The wash house: in addition to its primary function, each autumn it housed the large still, a device used for the distillation of alcohol, filling the air with the smell of marc.


In Avenières:
– An old press, Rue du Mollard Bresson, which bears witness to the town’s wine-growing past.

The town was formerly served, until the beginning of the 1909th century, by two secondary railway lines: the eastern railway from Lyon to Lyon and Aosta and the La Tour-du-Pin – Les Avenières tramway. “Departmental Tramways of Isère”, then by the “Tramways de l’Ouest du Dauphiné” to La Tour-du-Pin, which ran from 1935 to XNUMX.



2. The story of smuggling and the bandit Ginot

Lovers of juicy stories will not be left out. Smuggling was indeed very active in the town in the 19th century.
At that time, Savoy was not yet French and the commune, thanks to its proximity to the Rhône, which served as a border between the States, was an ideal playground for smugglers.
The lônes and marshes, known only to locals, offered perfect hiding places.
We will remember the name of the “Bandit Ginot”, a local Robin Hood, who, like Mandrin, stole from the rich to give to the poor (and kept a little in the process…)

Pierre Ginot lived isolated on the Champ hill, in the middle of the marsh. From there, he could see the police officers coming after him from afar!
The adventures of the bandit Ginot came to an abrupt end (in what year?): he was arrested and sentenced to be guillotined in a public square in Lyon. According to legend, on the day of the sentence, he addressed the crowd present: “If some people from Avenières are here, let them come closer, I will show them where I have hidden what I have left” . But none of the curious people approached. The mystery of the bandit Ginot's hidden treasure therefore remains unsolved!

Today, only one building bears witness to the past as a border outpost of Avenières: customs barracks, located in Sablonnet. (Private residence)


3. Les Avenières Veyrins-Thuellin nature side

The commune is one of the 13 communes covered by the Haut Rhône Français National Nature Reserve: a protected area of ​​1707 hectares extending over 26 km along the Rhône to discover:
– on foot, via the Envirhôna trail: for an immersive experience, follow this 3,5 km route which allows you, thanks to fun terminals, to discover the alluvial fauna and flora with your family.
– by canoe-kayak: several professionals offer supervised or independent outings, from May, for a total disconnection in the heart of the reserve.
– by bike on ViaRhôna: a 5 km shared path connection allows you to join the cycle route.


4. Les Avenières Veyrins-Thuellin, leisure side: the Walibi Rhône-Alpes amusement park and the Micro-Folie digital museum.

– Walibi Park, labeled an emblematic site of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, brings together 3 thematic areas, 11 restaurants and takeaway points. The perfect place for those who like to have fun: 34 attractions to discover, including 21 accessible from 90cm.
Thrills guaranteed for young and old alike!

– Micro-Folie: this digital museum, a feature of the La Vilette museum, installed next to the media library, presents the collections of the greatest museums in the world. Animators will guide you in this discovery, every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from Wednesday to Friday open on request and by reservation from 5 people.

Free access.