Trévoux, capital of the Dombes region

Whether you arrive by bike, boat or car, you’ll quickly realize Trévoux’s strategic position: as a border post and capital of the Dombes region, its fortified castle dominates the landscape, while its narrow streets and traboules conceal beautiful townhouses dating from the time of the Grande Mademoiselle and the Duc du Maine. But its treasures are not limited to architecture, as you’ll soon discover in this land of Art and History.

A major city

The history of Trévoux is unique in the Kingdom of France. At the confluence of river routes and routes to the Empire, Trévoux was an important place, a border post, as evidenced by its 15th-century fortified castle, whose octagonal keep dominates the landscape at 360°. A Bourbon stronghold and capital of the Dombes principality, the town was strategic.

Even today, it’s an essential stopping-off point. The gentle way of life on the banks of the Saône, which is ideal for boating and cycling, and its narrow streets and traboules, home to artists’ and craftsmen’s workshops, give this former capital of the Dombes region a very special atmosphere.

The Voie Bleue, which runs along the banks of the Saône, is a great way to approach the city: it’s great fun to cycle through this stopover town on sunny days.

Trévoux's treasures

The view from the château is breathtaking! In town, don’t miss the apothecary of the former hospital of the Duchesse de Montpensier (granddaughter of Henri IV) and the Palais du Parlement de la Dombes, whose courtroom is still dressed in its original splendor.

The Musée des Trésors de Trévoux, meanwhile, preserves traces of an industry that made the town rich: in tax-exempt Trévoux, gold and silver working flourished. Precious metals were drawn into gold and silver wire for use in Lyon silks, for example. It was here that the diamond die was invented. The tool for stretching gold through a small-diameter hole, through a diamond that erodes much less than metal. Suffice it to say, the museum’s treasures are precious in more ways than one, and a visit here is a dream come true!

This tradition of arts and crafts may well have inspired Trévoux’s arts market and the fifteen or so artists’ and craftsmen’s workshops that can be discovered on a pleasant stroll through the town.

83earthenware pots

Preserved at the Apothicairerie

6 000ingots

Gold production in the 15th century

1river stopover

for a cruise on the Saône

31,33km

from Trévoux on La Voie bleue to Lyon

GOOD TO KNOW

The 1st dictionary printed in Trévoux

Trévoux was once home to Europe’s leading printing house. Authorized as early as 1605 by Parliament, the printing privilege was passed down until the end of the 18th century. The meeting of learned minds, in particular Jesuits at odds with the encyclopedists, and craftsmen typographers led to the printing of reference works of international renown.

The Société de Trévoux, a veritable academy, published the Journal de Trévoux (Mémoires pour l’histoire des Sciences et des Beaux-Arts between 1701 and 1775) and the Dictionnaire de Trévoux, one of the first works in the French language, then entitled “Dictionnaire universel françois et latin”.

Ars, Shrine Town and Trévoux, land of Art and History

01600 Trévoux