Insolite-Tours

Discover Morestel, the cité des peintres in Isère. Explore La Muette, Saint-Symphorien Church, and the artists who made this village famous.

Up above the curving Rhône Valley in Isère, is Morestel.  Yes, another pretty village! This one however has just a bit of insolite making it so much more interesting. Even in the midst of winter it’s a place where light becomes color, (🤭my red cord’s), streets glisten, and as with François-Auguste Ravier (1814-1895) artists have long felt at home. Known as the cité des peintres – the city of painters — Morestel’s charm goes far beyond postcards.

A Place Shaped by Light and History

What makes Morestel remarkable isn’t only its medieval roots, but the way its light and landscape have inspired generations of painters. Certainly the most celebrated here was François-Auguste Ravier, a 19th-century landscape artist who spent the last twenty-eight years of his life here, captivated by the region’s luminous atmosphere. Today, his former home is the Maison Ravier, is a museum dedicated to his work and that of other artists who found a voice here.

As you walk through the old part of town you’ll find narrow cobblestone streets, stone houses, and the remains of medieval ramparts; as a reminder of a time when Morestel was a fortified settlement below its castle. The surviving tour médiévale – the medieval tower – still stands as a testament to that past. Starting from spring and through the summer and fall seasons the tour hosts various art exhibitions. Once you’ve reached the top the panoramic the views across rooftops, gently rolling countryside, and the distant Alpes make for daydreaming moment!

The inoslite – La Muette – The Path Upwards

One of the most insolite routes to the upper town is along La Muette, a historic pebbled path that once allowed residents to move quietly between the heights and the heart of the village. Today its an insolite moment where the surface and ancient steps almost force visitors to slow down. Unique the  light from this part of the path; understandably that which once drew painters to set up their easels here.

It’s not just about reaching the top; it’s about feeling every stone underfoot and sensing a viewpoint that has inspired artistic eyes for centuries!

Saint-Symphorien – Gothic Echoes and Bell Tones

At the top of your climb is the Church of Saint-Symphorien, a Gothic church with roots going back to the early 15th century. Originally part of an Augustinian convent, it became the parish church after the Revolution and has since been recognized as a monument historique. Its impressive bell tower, finished in the 19th century with a Gothic lantern and adorned with a distinctive turret, punctuates the skyline and calls the village together at each chime. 

Stop and listen…

Inside the église, at the far end is the Chapel of the Virgin; here you will see a remarkable Gothic inscription from 1518. Carved in long, tight medieval letters, it marks a mass foundation by Claude de La Balme. Above the text, a carved fronton shows the seven-sworded heart of Mary, Saint Sebastian, Saint John, and even a tiny scene of the legend of Saint Nicholas. These figures and letters link Morestel’s church to the late Middle Ages, preserving a piece of the village’s history in stone.

Morestel Today

Morestel’s artistic tradition continues.  Not only the Maison Ravier, there are numerous contemporary exhibitions, galleries, and cultural events continue to encourage creativity.

Whether you’re wandering up La Muette, pausing beneath Saint-Symphorien’s tower, or simply watching light dance across a stone façade at dusk, as said in Isère : Morestel reveals itself slowly – like a painting. 

We’ll be back  to share the spring version of Morestel ᥫ᭡ ᥫ᭡.ִֶָ𓂃