Le tour du lac de 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 until you reach 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 panoramic views of Lake Paladru and its turquoise waters, as well as the discovery of a rich architectural heritage.
Jams:
-The orchards of Louisias, in Charavines, is a farm with a thatched roof and rammed earth walls, listed as a historical monument.
Built in 1805 but still in operation, it offers delicious homemade products, made from orchard fruits (jams cooked in a cauldron without additives, quince paste, fruits in syrup…), as well as seasonal fruits (strawberries, raspberries, plums, vineyard peaches…).
Louisias Orchards. Tel. 04 76 06 66 14.
Lake Paladru: Of glacial origin, Lake Paladru is the fifth largest natural lake in France. It is charmingly nicknamed the "Blue Lake" for the color of its waters, ideal for swimming, with temperatures often reaching nearly 25°C in summer. The main beaches are located in the towns of Charavines, Montferrat, and Le Pin. Rowing, paddle boating, and fishing are also popular activities. The wooded hills that surround it, giving it a unique charm, reach an altitude of 800 meters. But Lake Paladru is also a rich archaeological site, thanks to the remains discovered through underwater excavations. These vestiges of civilizations dating from both the Neolithic period and the early 20th century have gained international renown and are displayed at the Lake Paladru Archaeological Museum.
Not far from the lake, in the commune of Le Pin, you can discover a beautiful building called the Grange Dîmière. Dating from the 17th century, this former outbuilding of the Carthusian monastery of La Sylve Bénite, a listed historical monument, was used to store dues collected in kind (including the tithe) and the estate's harvests. Today, it provides a magnificent setting for contemporary art exhibitions.
Near the route, another splendid vestige of the past is the Château de Virieu in Virieu-sur-Bourbre, dating from the year 1000. You can visit its salons, bedrooms, chapel, kitchen and its French-style gardens.
Another castle near the route is the Château de Pupetières: the Virieu family also had the Château de Pupetières built in Châbons. Built in the 13th century, then destroyed during the French Revolution, it was rebuilt in the Neo-Medieval style by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who also restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The polychromy of the glazed tiles and the interior decorations bear witness to the revival of decorative arts during this period. A romantic place that inspired Lamartine and the painter Jongkind.