The château of Iserand
Sécheras
The château of Iserand
Easy
Difficulty2h30
Duration6,9km
Distance+225m
Positive Elevation-226m
Negative ElevationCourse type
Network
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3 points of interest
PanoramaViewing point
Facing you take a look at the Montbard hill and its quarry with the Pilat mountains in the background- Panorama
Viewing point
To your left you can see the village of Sécheras and in the background, on a clear day the Vercors mountain range. A little further on, facing you, notice the church of Cheminas 
The château of Iserand
This feudal château had three of its sides surrounded by ravines that acted as moats. On its fourth side, towards sunset, the old dungeon was attached to the slope with a narrow roof structure. This was the main entrance with drawbridges and turrets for its defense. From the top of the large square tower you could see the Rhône river. It was easy to see signals sent from the château of Serves indicating forthcoming attacks or the arrival of boats in order to charge toll taxes. However, it did not prevent the château from being taken by surprise in 1685 by the adventurous Captain Clavel, leader of the Huguenot partisans and his gang. After having burnt the church of Lemps they then attacked the château of Iserand. Apparently the place was opened by a traitor who was one of the servants there. The place was pillaged, set on fire and the inhabitants were killed.The château ruins have never been re-erected. The people from villages closeby were said to hear strange noises and see ghosts in blood-soaked attire at night and therefore refused to build their homes there !
Description
Go up the main road for fifty metres then turn left uphill going through the village of Sécheras. Go past the townhall then turn left at the cross in front of the school.
1 - Sécheras - 425 m Follow Boffard 1.7 km Cheminas 3.1 km
Keep straight on on the small road for 500m. When the road veers right carry on ahead on a track through fields. At the junction continue straight on. Carry on ahead past a path on the right then bear left 50m further on. High-voltage cables are overhead.
2 - Boffard - 445 m Follow Bertha 900m Sécheras 1.6 km
Continue on the large path, cross the road to Cheminas and go straight on. Go under the high-voltage cables once again. At the following fork turn left and continue to the road.
3 - Bertha - 428 m Suivre Lemps 3.3 km
Go opposite onto the path. At the fork turn left onto the path taking you to the road. Go down the main road for about 100m turning right onto the path l’Iserand just before the houses. Keep following the main path going down into the woods. Cross a stream and go up the other side.
4 - Château d'Iserand - 320 m Follow Vion 4.6 km
Continue along the track as far as the château ruins, on your left at a large right bend. Retrace your steps.
4 - Château d'Iserand - 320 m Follow Sécheras 2.3 km
Keep to the same route as coming until you get to the rambling trail crossroads Bertha.
3 - Bertha - 528 m Follow Sécheras 700m
Follow the road to the right back to the village.
1 - Sécheras - 425 m Follow Boffard 1.7 km Cheminas 3.1 km
Keep straight on on the small road for 500m. When the road veers right carry on ahead on a track through fields. At the junction continue straight on. Carry on ahead past a path on the right then bear left 50m further on. High-voltage cables are overhead.
2 - Boffard - 445 m Follow Bertha 900m Sécheras 1.6 km
Continue on the large path, cross the road to Cheminas and go straight on. Go under the high-voltage cables once again. At the following fork turn left and continue to the road.
3 - Bertha - 428 m Suivre Lemps 3.3 km
Go opposite onto the path. At the fork turn left onto the path taking you to the road. Go down the main road for about 100m turning right onto the path l’Iserand just before the houses. Keep following the main path going down into the woods. Cross a stream and go up the other side.
4 - Château d'Iserand - 320 m Follow Vion 4.6 km
Continue along the track as far as the château ruins, on your left at a large right bend. Retrace your steps.
4 - Château d'Iserand - 320 m Follow Sécheras 2.3 km
Keep to the same route as coming until you get to the rambling trail crossroads Bertha.
3 - Bertha - 528 m Follow Sécheras 700m
Follow the road to the right back to the village.
- Departure : Sécheras -Cemetery square
- Arrival : Sécheras -Cemetery square
- Towns crossed : Sécheras and Cheminas
Altimetric profile
Information desks
6, place du 8 mai 1945 - BP 70019, 26601 Tain l'Hermitage
Transport
Bus route N° 11 Tournon sur Rhône - Saint Félicien - Lalouvesc
Access and parking
Follow the D86 from Tournon sur Rhône towards Sarras then the D17 as far as Sécheras.
Parking :
Cemetery square
More information
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