Nature Published on 03/05/2022
Another week at 100 km/h: work, children, home. You are starting to feel tired. And what if this weekend, you took the time to rest?
Away from all the hustle and bustle, our relaxing areas are made for you: pond, river, lake and marsh. Ever notice that these areas all have one thing in common? Water! 💧 Water is well known for its soothing, stress-reducing and energy-boosting benefits! Perfect for a little health boost? You’ll see, you won’t want to leave!
The Marais de l’Etournel for bird lovers
The Marais de l’Etournel, a preservation area and Natura 2000 site, is a vast wetland of 190 hectares, with nine ponds. It straddles the Ain department and the Haute-Savoie, in the communes of Pougny, Collonges Fort l’Ecluse, Chevrier and Vulbens.
Formerly a pebble quarry, this marsh is a prime biodiversity reservoir. It is an essential migratory stopover site, providing an ideal spot for birdwatching.
Here you can walk along the disabled-friendly interpretation trail. It will be an opportunity to meet deer, black woodpeckers, beavers, marsh copper butterflies and other protected species! Keep your eyes open, a nice surprise may await you 😉
A place for lovers of spa towns: the Lake of Divonne-les-Bains
Located in the town of Divonne-les-Bains, on the edge of the Jura mountains, the artificial lake of Divonne is a great place to stroll around!
It spreads over an area of 45 hectares and has a small vegetal island (not accessible), a sandy beach – accessible in summer – and a base for water sports activities.
There are several activities available over the 3 km it takes to walk around it. Walking, biking, rollerblading, jogging, sport courses, yoga, the list is long and all without a car!
On sunny days, a artisanal ice-cream purveyors will delight the gourmets while the children will play in the nearby playground or will try to tame the wild swans!
Right next to the racecourse and its golf course, a media library and a nautical centre, the Divonne lake stands out as a figure from where you will be able to see on the heights its castle which watches over this pretty spa town which is certainly worth a visit.
The Valserine for nature-addicts
Between the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the Valserine is a river full of treasures. It springs at 1200m altitude and meanders in turn through the pastures and rich forests of the surrounding Haut-Jura mountains, swollen by multiple springs fed by melting snow, to then hide, hemmed in by limestone walls at the level of the Valserine losses, with spectacular gorges.
The clear, fresh waters of the Valserine are enchanting, fragile, wild, tumultuous, and changing, and are home to fario trout, which are prized by fly fishermen. As well as numerous insects which appreciate these high-quality places.
The lush surroundings of the river offer a variety of colours and discoveries that will leave you amazed.
The pond of Cessy for fishing enthusiasts
The Cessy pond is a real haven of peace, a place to walk and relax, popular among all the inhabitants of the Pays de Gex and especially among fishermen.
This is a fishpond of 2.7 hectares. To practice your favourite sport, you will need a fishing permit (on sale at the Pays de Gex Tourist Office, Gex branch). You can fish mainly for carp, tench, roach, catfish and, in small quantities, pike and perch.
Or, if you prefer, you can enjoy a picnic with family and friends on the barbecues, benches, and tables! Then make the most of it with a fitness trail or a game of pétanque! A relaxing day as we like them!x
The Allondon springs where tranquillity is a philosophy
These are fed by water seeping from the Jura. This watercourse is abundant during the melting of the snow in March, and weak during the summer months. For the record, the liveliness of its waters was, until the last century, an opportunity for its inhabitants. Indeed, they knew how to take advantage of it, as the ruins of the Naz-Dessus and Crozet mills that you will see on your way!
This refreshing walk is ideal during the hot summer months. A themed trail on the role of water will give you the chance to learn more about the history of this spring. Picnic tables are also available for a peaceful stop in the middle of the forest, with the only sound in the background being the flowing water!
These places make us want to relax! Which of these places seduce you the most? We are waiting for you on our social media channels to share your most beautiful photos #paysdegextourisme #stationmontsjura!
