Our villages are the true treasure of our heritage. It’s impossible not to be moved by thousand-year-old structures, such as the priory of Tournus or that of Pommiers-en-Forez. And what about the medieval town of Pérouges? The list is a long one just outside Lyon. This time, it’s not just about old stones, but also about art. Banksy’s predecessor might just be found here, in Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey!
Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey, a “colorful” town
The small village stretches between the Bugey Mountains andthe Rhône River, and its location alone provides fertile ground for enchantment. Its history goes back a long way, with traces dating back to prehistoric times and the Bronze Age. But the village truly flourished during the Middle Ages, and despite its small size, it was contested by the kingdoms of Dauphiné, Savoy, and France due to its strategic location.
All that remains from this medieval period is a Romanesque church at the top of the village, whose choir dates back to the 12th century. Over the centuries, the lands were fought over and castles sprang up like mushrooms. The Château de Saint-Saturnin, the Château de la Durandière, the Château du Molard, the Château de la Fontaine… there are no fewer than six in the town and its surroundings!
But the village’s most distinctive feature is found on a section of wall that bears the so-called Saint Christopher fresco , dating from the 16th century! Setting aside the cave paintings of the Chauvet Cave or Lascaux, the one in Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey is truly remarkable for its age. It was discovered in 1910 beneath the stucco of a house and was designated a historic monument in 1922 (the fresco has since been restored several times).
And picturesque through and through!
Saint-Sorlin… now that’s a funny name! Well, there are more Saint-Sorlins in France than there areLyon arrondissements without a “bouchon.” Six towns, from Charente-Maritime to Savoie, bear this unique name:
- Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey (Ain – 01)
- Saint-Sorlin-de-Conac (Charente-Maritime – 17)
- Saint-Sorlin-en-Valloire (Drôme – 26)
- Saint-Sorlin-de-Morestel (Isère – 38)
- Saint-Sorlin-de-Vienne (Isère – 38)
- Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves (Savoie – 73)
The village’s geographic location is enough to confuse matters a bit. Listen carefully: Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey is located in the Ain (the department, named after the river). However, the village doesn’t dip its toes in the Ain at all, but rather lies on the banks of the Rhône (the river, not the department) and is situated right next to the Isère (the department, not the river). Are you following? In short: we’re in the Ain, but on the banks of the Rhône, right at the edge of the Isère… that’s a lot of water for a single patch of land! His name is Juste Leblanc. Your first name is François, right? Well, it’s the same for him—it’s Juste. (Editor’s note)
