Bellegarde

A pleasantly cool route along a wild river, a five-minute walk from the station. This walk follows the banks of the Valserine River to the gorges where the waters of the river are lost in the surrounding canyons.

Distance: 5 km - Duration: Two hours

It is a 30-minute walk from the railway station.

©Daniel Gillet – OT Terre Valserine

Discover six walls painted by comic strip artists, five minutes from Bellegarde Station. Created in 2006, they not only brighten up the heart of the city, but also tell its story.

©Daniel Gillet – OT Terre Valserine

Built on the side of the mountain, the lower fort was equipped with a wall in the 17th and 18th centuries. There is an exceptional view of the Rhone Gorge from the terrace. The buildings of the upper fort were erected in the mid-19th century. The underground staircase connecting both forts counts 1165 steps and is directly cut into the rock. Fort l'Ecluse is a classified site that offers the remains of several centuries of military architecture.

New in summer 2021: Come discover the history of the Fort in a free sound-and-light show projected onto the façade of the monument!

There are also occasional exhibitions and a jazz festival.

Fort l'Ecluse also has a via ferrata and adventure course. 12 minutes by TER bus number 33 from the station and 10 minutes on foot from the Léaz Longeray stop.

© OT Pays de Gex

This Via Ferrata offers a thrilling outing, with a splendid view of the Rhône and the Écluse Gorges. It ends at the Fort, making it that much more interesting.

Access is free, equipment is not provided but can be hired from Fort l'Ecluse Aventure.

12 minutes by TER bus number 33 from the station and 10 minutes on foot from the Léaz Longeray stop.

© N. Gascard - PaysdeGexAgglo