ViaRhôna 04 - Vulbens > Seyssel

in Vulbens

27.3 km

Bike routes

1h 48min

Easy

Difference in height

438 m
Documentation
- GPX Trace
GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)

Accepted customers
- Individuals

See all reviews

Points of interest

1 ViaRhôna

2 Génissiat Dam

3 Fort l'Écluse

1 ViaRhôna

ViaRhôna

2 Génissiat Dam

Europe’s first major hydroelectric dam. The construction began in 1936 and it was finished in 1948. Things to see: the surface spillway on the right bank. This is a long channel ending with a spectacular “ski jump”.<br/>CNR offers an interactive and educational guided tour that combines hydraulic art, history and technology. There are some movies, models and objects that will help you to discover the great adventure of the river Rhone as well as all the different renewable energies such as the water, the wind and the sun that CNR has been developping.

3 Fort l'Écluse

At the Pays de Gex gateway, Fort l'Ecluse, a formerly military site, is one of three examples of mountain fortifications in France during the first half of the XIXth century.
The fort now welcomes the public and offers a rich and varied cultural season from June to September.<br/>At the gateway to the Pays de Gex, Fort l'Ecluse is one of three examples of mountain fortifications in France during the first half of the XIXth century. A staircase hewn into the rock (1,165 steps) links the lower and upper forts. Interactive multimedia stations and historical and art exhibitions during the summer. A unique and unforgettable site!
During the summer season, this historical and cultural site is open for visits, exhibits and animations. Built on a hillside, the lower fort was equipped in the 17th and 18th centuries with an enclosure, reinforced by a round tower (the Porte de France) and a parade ground leading to another gate (the Porte de Genève).

At the top of the Porte de France, the terrace overlooks the Rhone Valley from an exceptional viewpoint. The the upper fort buildings were erected in the middle of the 19th century, high up, in order to protect the fort from an attack from the mountains and to increase its housing capacity. 1165 steps carved into the rock form the underground staircase linking the two forts. Several artillery casemates and battery terraces supplement the fortifications.

Classified site, Fort l'Ecluse presents today the remains of several centuries of military architecture: towers, watchtowers, loopholes, watchtowers, casemates, ammunition chambers.
Visiting Fort l'Ecluse is the opportunity to discover the way of life of the 150 men who composed the garrison, and also the importance and diversity of the defence and troop withdrawal system.

Fast food on site with regional products. Refreshment bar.