The Gimond dam - Monts du Lyonnais - Grézieu-le-Marché

A route combining paved passages and varied trails, between panoramas of the Brévenne valley, Pomeys woods and picturesque villages. The Gimond dam and the church of Grézieu-le-Marché complete this rich and captivating setting.

You'll love:
• A route that, despite some paved sections, alternates between elevation changes, perfect for cardio training and trail running.
• The Gimond Dam and its peaceful landscape.
• The variety of spaces traversed, between undergrowth and panoramic views: the plunging view of the Brévenne Valley from Grézieu, the crossing of the Pomeys Forest with openings onto the southern mountains facing the Coise Valley, the villages of Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise and Larajasse.
• The church of Grézieu-le-Marché, built from local red granite and black Volvic stone. Its architect, Sainte-Marie-Perrin, designed Fourvière Cathedral with Pierre Bossan.

You'll enjoy it more:
• A four-season hike in the Monts du Lyonnais: cool in summer, beautiful in winter when snow covers the massif, and a must-do in spring or fall to observe the colorful transformations of the vegetation.
• By planning an autumn evening, picking mushrooms, chestnuts, and blackberries along the paths.
• By having a picnic at the dam, then doing a few stretches before heading back out onto the trails.

A bit of culture:
The Gimond Dam
Ducks have been splashing on the surface of its peaceful waters for almost 100 years. The structure belongs to the Loire commune of Chazelles-sur-Lyon, which built it in 1925. It provided the water needed for the hat industry, a local skill that had thrived for several centuries. The factories gradually disappeared after the Second World War. The Hat Museum and Hat Workshop in Chazelles tells its story. Since its creation, the dam has also supplied Chazelles with drinking water. This use, which requires strict regulations on agricultural land around the reservoir, contributes positively to the preservation of the natural environment. Peace and quiet prevail in this peaceful place, highly sought after by fishermen.