Around Paladru Lake

A beautiful blue pearl in a green setting, Lake Paladru is the privileged setting for this itinerary, which also goes to meet archaeological and heritage pearls, such as the Charavines museum or the Virieu castle.

From Charavines, head towards the leisure center then continue along the shores of Lake Paladru.
In Montferrat, just after the 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 loop takes you around the 5th largest natural lake in France. It offers beautiful views of Lake Paladru and its turquoise waters and the discovery of a rich built heritage.

Free information : Loop

History, culture and heritage : Lake Paladru: Of glacial origin, Lake Paladru is the fifth largest natural lake in France. It bears the pretty nickname of "blue lake" for the color of its waters, suitable for swimming, with a temperature often close to 25°C in summer. The main beaches are located in the municipalities of Charavines, Montferrat and Le Pin. There are also rowing, pedal boating and fishing. The wooded hills that surround it, and give it a special charm, culminate at 800 meters above sea level. But the lake of Paladru also represents an archaeological site of great wealth, thanks to the remains found through underwater excavations. These remains of civilizations from both the Neolithic era and the beginning of the year XNUMX have acquired international renown and are presented at the archaeological museum of Paladru lake, in Charavines.

La Grange dîmière: not far from the lake, in the town of Le Pin, you can discover a very beautiful building called Grange dîmière. Dating from the XNUMXth century, this former outbuilding of the Carthusian monastery of Sylve Bénite, listed as a Historic Monument, was used to collect the royalties collected in kind (including the tithe) and the harvests of the estate. It is now a magnificent setting for hosting contemporary exhibitions. Another splendid vestige of the past, the castle of Virieu, in Virieu-sur-Bourbre, dating from the year one thousand. You can visit its lounges, bedrooms, chapel, kitchen and its French gardens.

The Château de Pupetières: nearby, the Virieu family had also had the Château de Pupetières built in Châbons. Built in the XNUMXth century, then destroyed during the French Revolution, it was rebuilt in the neo-medieval style by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, to whom we also owe the restoration of Notre-Dame-de-Paris. The polychromy of the glazed tiles and the interior decorations bear witness to the renaissance of the decorative arts at that time. A romantic place that inspired Lamartine and the painter Jongkind.

Tips and Suggestions : Jams:
-Les vergers de Louisias, in Charavines, is a farmhouse with a thatched roof and adobe walls, listed as a Historic Monument.
Built in 1805 but still in operation, it offers delicious home-made products, using fruit from the orchard (jams cooked in a cauldron without additives, quince jelly, fruit in syrup, etc.), as well as seasonal fruit (strawberries, raspberries, plums, vineyard peaches…).
Louisias orchards. Such. 04 76 06 66 14.