Hiking: Gex - Vesancy via Chapelle Riantmont

With an area of 10 909 ha spread over 18 towns, the High Jura Nature National Reserve is among the largest in France. It shelters a wealthy heritage, to be discovered and protected.It stretches from the Franco-Swiss border in the north to the Rhône gap in the south, it is 580m to 1720m high, at the “Crêt de la Neige”. It hosts a wide biodiversity of flora, fauna, geology, landscape, architecture, ... By respecting the rules, you allow the protection of the natural environments and their hosts.

Riantmont Chapel is a testimony of the local religious history and is also a beautiful point of view on the Leman valley and the Alpes. Since 1868, the chapel shelters the "Lady of Riantmont", guardian of the Pays de Gex.In 1854, Bishop Chalandon from Belley ordered his priests to erect a statue in honour of the virgin. Father Monet, from Vesancy, chose a place called Riantmont. They decided to build the statue at the top of this hill. Soon after, a pilgrimage was created, attracting the believers from the pays de Gex and Geneva. In 1868, the Bishops from Belley and Geneva decided to build the chapel. Pope Pie IX established this sanctuary for the protection of the Pays de Gex and Geneva. It is said that all the young people from Vesancy who went to war in 1870 came back alive thanks to the good protection of the Virgin. In 1875 the bell tower was built, and the chapel was more and more renowned for its miracles. In 1956 the centenary was celebrated by the Bishop of Belley and the local priests. A pilgrimage is held every Whit Monday.

Magnificent views of the entire Lake Geneva basin, Mont Mourex and Mont Blanc from the Riantmont chapel.The view is breathtaking: in the foreground, Mont Mourex and Lake Geneva, and in the background, the Alps with the majestic Mont Blanc.