Fortified medieval village built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Azergues valley.
Entirely classified as a historic monument and newly labeled "Small Towns of Character", Ternand, with its remains of an enclosure wall dating from the 12th century and a section of its keep still standing, has kept its charm of yesteryear.
Ternand name has a Celtic origin and would mean "three streams". The lordship belonged to both the Archbishop of Lyon and the Abbey of Savigny. A dungeon was built at the request of the Archbishop Jean de Bellesmains.
The village is divided into 2 parts: the "Grandes Planches", the "modern" part which is in the valley and the "old village" on its rocky spur. A thematic path following the old "coursières" will allow you to go up to the Old Village. There, you will be plunged into another time and along the cobbled streets you will discover the ruins of the old castle and the remains of the dungeon, the Church of St Jean Baptiste and several houses with beautiful facades of the 14th and 15th centuries with mullioned windows, ironwork, doors of the 14th. Don't miss the "Brèche" and the "Maison du Tailleur" on the round path.
Silver lead mines were exploited in the commune at the end of the 19th century.
Geosite within the Geopark Beaujolais. The particularly disturbed geological context in the area of Ternand has contributed to the formation of high points, made of rocks resistant to erosion, and low points, softer rocks. Thus the rocky spur on which the old village was built is composed in large part of white marble, a relatively hard rock compared to the other rocks of the sector.
Walking through the old streets of the village, with its remarkable built and historical heritage, and on the covered way, it is possible to see traces of this marble which makes the particularity of Ternand. Two trails (6 and 9 km) allow you to discover the landscapes of the words and hills of Beaujolais.
The church is open from May to September on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 6 pm.
Maison des Expositions is open on weekends from May to September with the presentation of works by a wide variety of artists.
