Hôtel Dieu de Chatillon sur ChalaronneMusée de Châtillon sur Chalaronne Hotel Dieu
©Musée de Châtillon sur Chalaronne|Michael Zeilfelder
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne

Medieval town

in the heart of the Dombes

Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, formerly Châtillon-les-Dombes, lies in the heart of the Dombes region in the department of Ain, about an hour away from Lyon. This medieval town of character has been officially recognised as one of the Plus Beaux Détours de France (Most Beautiful Detours in France), a Ville Fleurie Quatre Fleurs (Town in Bloom), a Station Verte (Green Resort), a Ville & Métiers d’Art (Craft Town), a Maison des Illustres (House of the Illustrious) and an Apicité (Bee-friendly town). You’ll soon be won over by its wealth of preserved heritage and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape!

Visit

Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne

A medieval city of character

Let yourself be tempted by a visit to the 15th-century market building, occupied every Saturday morning by the local market, as well as the vestiges of the fortified ramparts and the old castle, or the Apothecary with its 120 Meillonnas jars. Or take a stroll on the flower-festooned bridges, in the medicinal plant gardens, through the tree-lined parks, or between the boutiques of craftspeople, chocolate makers, a traditional coffee roaster, and many other stores…

A gastronomy town

The traditional terroir market at Les Halles on Saturday mornings, voted the most beautiful market of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in 2018 and 3rd most beautiful market of France in 2021, has been around since 1898! And there’s also a new organic producers’ market on Wednesday mornings.

More than fifteen restaurants invite you to spend quality time with your family, friends or partner, sampling the local specialties.

A town in bloom

Châtillon sur Chalaronne is festooned with 50,000 plants of 200 varieties over 3 main periods of the year. The various flowers bloom in different seasons, which is a great excuse to visit in every season. Not only that, but every September brings an opportunity to browse the rare plant market.

You’ll also find plenty of melliferous plants at the arboretum where you can visit an educational tree farm. Remember to book ahead!

A dynamic town

You can also go hiking, fishing (ponds and river), or swimming at the indoor pool with wellness area (open all year round), and there’s plenty for culture buffs (festivals, cinema, media library…) and horse lovers too (Racecourse and Equestrian Centers), not forgetting the miniature trains and the history museums.

So when are you coming to Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne?

Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne

To the rhythm of sound

Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, la cité médiévale au cœur de la Dombes
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, la cité médiévale au cœur de la Dombes
Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, la cité médiévale au cœur de la Dombes
Discover the secrets of the Saturday morning market

in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne

Unique experiences

Unlock the secrets

of the must-sees

of the Dombes
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