Just thirty kilometres from Lyon, Villefontaine is an island of greenery in the heart of the Isère department. Known in the region for its brand village, ‘The Village’, the Isère town has much more to offer than just retail outlets. With its rich architectural and, above all, natural heritage, the town is sure to win you over with its many assets. JOOKS takes you on a guided tour of Villefontaine, on foot, by bike or in a wheelchair!
A small village with just over 450 inhabitants in the 1960s, Villefontaine became part of the new town of L'Isle-d'Abeau in 1968, following a government decision. It is now part of a new conurbation that covers the municipalities of L'Isle-d'Abeau, Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, Vaulx-Milieu and Four.
Villefontaine saw its population grow and its infrastructure multiply. Today, the town is one of the most dynamic in the Nord-Isère region, with roots rooted in 2,000 years of history.
Heritage
Although its development only began in the mid-1970s, Villefontaine's history spans several centuries, as evidenced by the historic sites and monuments that can be seen in the commune.
Traces of human activity dating back to Antiquity and the Middle Ages have been found in Villefontaine, but the vast majority of the town's historic heritage dates from later periods. The current church, for example, dates from the 18th century and replaces an older building. A remnant from medieval times has survived in the form of a sundial, which has been incorporated into the new building. For the more curious, take a tour of the church to admire the tympanum of the portal and its mosaics.
In the heart of the Parc du Vellein, Villefontaine's green lung, your steps will lead you to the château of the same name. It was built in the 18th century on the remains of an older building and, although it is now in ruins following a fire, it remains an important reminder of the town's historic past. It is the only one of the three seigniorial buildings to have survived the French Revolution, unlike the châteaux of Vaugelas and Layet.
An emblematic monument in the town, the Pavillon des Quatre-Vents (Four Winds pavilion) is also the most enigmatic. There is nothing to date the building or determine its function. To add to the mystery, a necklace of human teeth was found at the foot of the monument. According to historians, this necklace dates back to the 19th century and would have belonged to a tooth puller who used it as proof of his skills. With the ‘Patrimoine en Isère’ label, the Pavillon des Quatre-Vents is certainly worth a visit!
Nature
Although the town became highly urbanised from the 1970s onwards, nature is still omnipresent in Villefontaine. Urban development has been spaced out in such a way as to preserve green and natural areas. Numerous infrastructures have been developed so that everyone can enjoy this important natural heritage. Your walk will take you along footpaths and discovery trails, where you will encounter a wealth of biodiversity. You'll also discover the Fallavier, Vaugelas and Saint-Bonnet ponds, veritable jewels of unspoilt nature, where the flora and fauna offer a spectacle that changes with the seasons.
The Domaine de Vaugelas was also chosen as the site for the Jardinons ensemble (Gardening Together) community garden. This convivial meeting place has been managed by Villefontaine's CCAS since 1998, and boasts over 200 varieties of vegetables and flowers. Every year, more than 4 tonnes of vegetables are grown and shared among the participants. It's a real little corner of paradise that you'll be able to spot on your walk.
Created in 1985, the Domaine de la terre is an architectural complex that is unique in Europe. It is a social housing district built in ‘pisé’, or raw earth, with the aim not only of reviving a regional tradition - building with earth - but also of experimenting with sustainable urban planning and architectural techniques. Listed since 2008 as one of the 45 treasures of sustainable development in the Rhône-Alpes region, this initiative fits in perfectly with the natural surroundings of the commune and the ecological transition required by climate change.
Street art
As well as its historic heritage and natural beauty, Villefontaine is a resolutely modern town with an artistic bent. Since 2016, the town has hosted a festival devoted to street art, Les Roches en couleur, and has an urban art exhibition hall, the Bloc [155].
The street art trail proposed by the municipality will enable you to discover several works along the streets, including some by well-known graffiti artists such as Besss, Le Môme and Kalouf. Some of the frescoes, such as the one in the Carpentier tunnel, have been created in collaboration with local residents. It's an opportunity to discover the city of Isère in a different light.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from Étang de Fallavier to Château du Vellein!
Find all the routes in Villefontaine and over 1300 others on the JOOKS application.
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