Start in Charavines: head towards the leisure centre, then continue along the shores of Lac de Paladru.
In Montferrat, just after the La Véronnière marsh, turn right towards Saint-Pierre-de-Paladru.
Then turn left towards Valencogne and continue on the D17 to Le Pin.
Continue on the D17, then turn left to return to the starting point.
This circular route follows the shores of France's 5th largest natural lake. Enjoy beautiful scenery of the lake with turquoise water and explore the rich heritage of the area.
Tips
Jam
-Les Vergers de Louisias in Charavines is a thatched farmhouse with adobe walls surrounded by orchards, It is listed as a historical monument.
Built in 1805, it is still in operation, offering delicious home-made products made from the fruits of the orchard (jams cooked in a cauldron without additives, quince paste, fruits in syrup, etc.), as well as seasonal fruit (strawberries, raspberries, plums, vine peaches, etc.).
Vergers de Louisias. Tel. 33 (0)4 76 06 66 14.
History, culture and heritage
Lac de Paladru: Of glacial origin, Lac de Paladru is the fifth largest natural lake in France. It's nicknamed the “blue lake” because of the color of its waters, which are ideal for swimming, with temperatures often close to 25°C in summer. The main beaches are located in the communes of Charavines, Montferrat and Le Pin. Other activities include rowing, pedal-boating and fishing. The wooded hills that surround it, and give it a special charm, rise to an altitude of 800 metres. But Lac de Paladru is also a richly endowed archaeological site, thanks to the remains uncovered by underwater excavations. These remains of civilizations from both the Neolithic and the early Middle Ages have gained international renown and are on display at the Musée Archéologique du Lac de Paladru.
Not far from the lake, in the commune of Le Pin, you can discover a beautiful building called the Grange Dîmière. Dating back to the 17th century, this former outbuilding of the Carthusian monastery of La Sylve Bénite, listed as a Monument Historique, was used to store the royalties collected in kind (including the tithe) and the estate's harvests. Today, it is a magnificent showcase for contemporary exhibitions.
Nearby, another splendid vestige of the past is the Château de Virieu, in Virieu-sur-Bourbre, dating back to the year 1000. You can visit its salons, rooms, chapel, kitchen and formal gardens.
Another castle close to the route is Château de Pupetières: the de Virieu family also built Château de Pupetières in Châbons. Built in the 13th century and destroyed during the French Revolution, it was rebuilt in the neo-medieval style by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who also restored Notre-Dame-de-Paris. The polychrome glazed tiles and interior decorations bear witness to the renaissance of the decorative arts during this period. A romantic setting that inspired Lamartine and the painter Jongkind.
