The second section of the Geneva Way will take you from St Genix sur Guiers through rural France to Chavanay. Look forward to cute villages, picturesque landscapes and local wine.
St Genix-sur-Guiers to Chavanay
Lac de Paladru
When passing the scenic region of Le Pin, why not take a break from hiking at the clear, deep blue Lac de Paladru and enjoy a cooling swim? And if you don’t feel like taking a dip, you can just relax at the beach and watch the little sailing boats passing by in the sunshine.
La Côte-Saint-André
Not only is it a great example of France’s quaint historical towns, La Côte-Saint-André is also the birthplace of Hector Berlioz, one of the greatest classical composers of the 19th Century. His house, where he was born on the 11 December 1803, is now an informative museum. In August, the town hosts the Festival Berlioz in honour of its most famous citizen.
Monastery of Carmel Notre-Dame de Surieu
Do you feel like taking a break from walking and experiencing some religious tranquillity? Then you should visit Carmel Notre-Dame de Surieu, a small monastery near Bellegarde-Poussieu and catch a glimpse at how the nuns lead their daily, humble lives in these beautiful old walls.
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SAINT GENIX SUR GUIERS
CHAVANAY
Services
Included in this package
Add-On
Not included: Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day
1
km
SAINT GENIX SUR GUIERS
Bienvenue – St Genix sur Guiers makes a great starting point for the second section of the Jacob’s Way. Enjoy some excellent local cheese and wine before you set off on your adventure, and definitely try the town’s speciality, the pink praline-studded Gâteau de Saint-Genix.
Day
2
18.5 km
SAINT GENIX SUR GUIERS SAINT ONDRAS
Starting out from St Genix Sur Guiers you will cross the Le Guiers and then follow the river for a while. You are now in the Department Isere having left the Department Savoie behind in St Genix Sur Guiers. Before you finish walking for the day, you will pass through the small town of Les Abrets. This area was given to the ‘Poor Knights of Christ’ back in the early 12th Century, who became better known as the hugely powerful order of the Knights Templars.
Day
3
36.1 km
SAINT ONDRAS COTE SAINT ANDRE
Leaving Saint Ondras, you will follow a rural route through the French countryside. Your destination for the night, Cote Saint Andre, was the home of famed French Romantic composer and conductor. You can learn about him in the compact Musée Hector-Berlioz.
Day
5
34.5 km
COTE SAINT ANDRE BELLEGARDE POUSSIEU
Although long, your walk today will be pleasant, passing by several small lakes. This section is relatively flat but there are a few shallow climbs that help keep the walk interesting. Before reaching Bellegarde Poussieu you will pass by the former parish church of Bellegarde and a protected natural area full of local fauna and flora.
Day
6
23.9 km
BELLEGARDE POUSSIEU CHAVANAY
Today is the day that you will cross the Rhone River into the Loire Department of the Rhone-Alpes region. As you approach the river, you will notice that the landscape becomes more built up. Crossing the Rhone, ahead lies your stop for the night and the final night of this section – Chavanay. Reward yourself for making it this far with a glass of one of the local wines of the region.
Day
7
km
CHAVANAY
Today we say Au Revoir and hope to see you on the next and final stage of the St Jacob’s Way. Chavanay is a charming town, typical of the Rhone-Alpes region, and is the perfect place to rest after your walk and enjoy local food, such as gratins, with good wine.
How to Get There
Getting to St Genix Sur Guiers, France
To begin your Camino, it is best to fly into the airport in Lyon.
Fly into Lyon
Getting home from Chavanay, France
It is easiest to return from Chavanay via Lyon Airport.
Fly home from Lyon
Planning to Travel Elsewhere?
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