Fringed by the River Bourbre, Colombier-Saugnieu is a sprawling commune and agricultural area in the French department of Rhône. It encompasses the terminal buildings and runways of the Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in France.
Things to do in Colombier-Saugnieu
You can watch the planes taking off and landing at Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport from the Plane Spotter’s Field, which lies on the western edge of the runway. Located atop a small hill, it features two wooden tables where you can enjoy a picnic, accompanied by a clear view of the airport. On the other side is the railway track of the Rhônexpress, which connects the airport with Lyon.
A short drive from Colombier-Saugnieu is the Château de Chamagnieu, which was originally established in the 13th century as a feudal residence. Since 1929, it has been managed by the city of Villeurbanne, with its surrounding forests, meadows and plains serving as an outdoor education site. Period furnishings and antiques decorate the château’s interior.
Colombier-Saugnieu makes a good base for visiting Lyon, a riverside city with a fascinating history that dates back to Roman times. Wander between the Renaissance and Gothic-style residences that cluster in Vieux Lyon and soak up the majestic views from the hilltop Fourviere Basilica. Occupying a former abbey is the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, which exhibits works by Renoir, El Greco and van Gogh.
Getting around Colombier-Saugnieu
Colombier-Saugnieu is around 35 minutes’ drive from the centre of Lyon and 15 minutes from the terminal buildings of Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains also stop at the Lyon Saint Exupery railway station. Buses connect to Colombier-Saugnieu and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.