Walk of the Roman chapels around Vizille

Step by step

Along the way, discover three buildings dating from the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries.

Start at Place du Château in Vizille, then walk up Rue Jean Jaurès towards Laffrey. Cross the bridge over the Romanche towards Notre-Dame-de-Mésage.
Your first stop is the 12th-century Saint-Firmin chapel. Listed as a Monument Historique, it is built of tuff, a rock found near the site of its construction. It stands on a mound overlooking the Romanche valley.

Continue on to the church of Sainte-Marie, also listed as a Monument Historique. Mentioned as early as 1110, it is one of the oldest Romanesque buildings in the Vizille basin. It features an original architecture with a unique Carolingian nave and apse.

Continue on towards Saint-Pierre-de-Mésage. In the village, follow the signposted paths to Le Péage-de-Vizille. Cross the Romanche and return to Vizille on the "derrière les murs" path. It follows the surrounding wall of the Domaine de Vizille.

Back in Vizille, follow the road on your left into the town center. You can then continue your walk by following the "historical circuit" signs to the priory, located in the Vizille cemetery. The Romanesque portal remains from this building. Its tympanum, carved in Vizille marble, depicts the Last Supper. It is one of the most remarkable in the Dauphiné region. The heads and hands were mutilated by Protestants during the Wars of Religion.

You can return to Place du Château via Rue du Général-De-Gaulle.