Nature
The Espace Naturel Sensible des Mares de Craquenot contains ponds and flood zones where rare and protected amphibians can be found, including the great crested newt and the green toad. The protected area covers more than 7 hectares and comprises a mosaic of natural habitats. It is located in the agriculturally dominated plain of the commune of Charette.
Paths and Transport
Charette is located at the junction of the RD 52c, an old route connecting Crémieu, Quirieu and the road to Lyon. Marked paths lead through the forests around Charette. The circular trail “Petit tour en famille aux mares de Craquenot” is a shaded round-trip hike through former gravel pits.
Renting a holiday apartment in Charette can be part of your personal travel planning.
Culture and History
Several buildings provide historical points of reference in the area: the Chapelle de La Craz already existed in 1613, while the Maison forte d’Ecottier dates back to 1413. The Maison forte de Chassignon is characterised by its mullioned windows. The Château de Vernay was built under Napoleon III and was the site of experiments by Count Hilaire de Chardonnet, the inventor of artificial viscose silk.
The present-day Eglise de Charette dates from 1893 and has stained-glass windows made of synthetic resin. Two Fontaines de Charette are still in operation: one in the village centre near the Croix and one in the hamlet of Chapieu. The five Fours de Charette all have the same construction; each oven is protected by a traditional roof frame.
The Lavoir de Charette is a covered washhouse below the small stone bridge over the Furon. It bears witness to the communal washing practices once used by washerwomen, which became a thing of the past after the connection to the water supply in 1962–1963.
Other destinations: Claix, Noyarey, Mens, Valencin, Vénosc, Villemoirieu, Saint-Pierre-de-Chérennes, Bellegarde-Poussieu
