A refreshingly bucolic getaway

A BUCOLIC GETAWAY TO THE BUGEY LAKES AND A REFRESHING DIP IN THE BRIVE WATERFALL

Why not take the car and explore the Bugey lakes?

For this day connected to Nature, we invite you to discover the Bugey lakes, classified as a sensitive natural area. There are so many natural sites to discover, inviting you to take a walk and fill up on fresh air. You don’t need to be a keen walker to discover these different places.

The aim of this day is to offer you a range of different sites: a way of optimizing your time and making sure you don’t miss a thing along the way.

Discovering the Bugey lakes

First stop: the village of Contrevoz to buy organic bread baked over a wood fire in the oven installed in the store. As soon as you enter the store, the smell of warm bread will awaken your taste buds and all your senses. Tasty sandwiches and delicious pastries are prepared every day for the enjoyment of “little gourmands”. On the same premises, you’ll also find a grocery store where local products are given pride of place. Your picnic basket is finally ready, so let’s hit the road again.

Once you reach the village of Appregnin, you’ll find the Lac d’Arboreaz. (filmed in 1998: les enfants du marais). With a surface area of 7 hectares and an average depth of 12 meters, it’s a fishing lake where you’ll find: carp, tench, pike, perch, roach, redheads. 2 km of lovely walks along the lake and enjoy the peace and quiet.

On the way, a stop at the orientation table is a must. Your eyes will be drawn to the Bauges massif. What a beautiful panorama! On a clear day, you can see Mont Blanc. There’s a picnic table where you can eat and a parking lot where you can stop without any problem. in complete safety.

The road becomes winding, and the landscape gradually changes. You will pass through the Ambléon national forest, with its lake classified as a Sensitive Natural Area. A pretty lake covering 5.58 hectares that has remained untouched by nature. Dragonflies are numerous along the banks in summer. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see some birds such as herons and grebes.

The charm of this place? It’s a high-altitude lake at 712 meters, surrounded by fir trees. It is renowned in the region as one of the most beautiful . It groups together exceptional environments that are geographically close to each other. Swimming is prohibited in order to preserve the rich fauna and flora.

This road is well known to cyclists. You’re likely to come across several. Just a few kilometers away are the Col des Fosses and the Col de Portes. Away from the noisy main roads, this route has become emblematic for cyclotourists. For the more “toqués”, the “toqués” brotherhood of the Col de Porte challenges you to climb this pass several times in a day.

The paleoecological museum

and the “quarrymen’s” trail

Next stop: the small village of Cerin, with its paleoecological museum. This is an exceptional site where numerous fossils have been discovered (reptiles, fish, giant tortoises).

In the footsteps of the quarrymen “Created in 2020, interactive panels and reading tables allow visitors to discover the site. The trail also offers magnificent views. The trail starts at the Cerin paleoecological museum (2 km trail – 1 h walk) and is open all year round.

The Brive waterfall

Last stop for a break at the foot of the Brive waterfall.

1 km after the village of Cerin , you park at the Marchamp cemetery. You cross the village with its pretty traditional houses with lauze roofs and its communal oven. The trail starts quickly and the view is panoramic and lush. Cows and goats love the tall grass.

After a 15-minute walk through the forest, a gentle slope leads to the first waterfall. Nestled between the trees, the water falls and flows between the rocks. The transparent water reveals the purity of this place. Be careful, the path can be slippery.

Numerous waterfalls appear along the river.

1h round-trip walk

After a busy day, head for the Vaugrais campsite where you can share your emotions with us. There’s nothing like enjoying a glass of Bugey wine (in moderation) on the terrace of the campsite snack bar, and sharing your photos with other campers.