Ruta de San Martín, de Pont-de-Beauvoisin a Val-de-Virieu pasando por el lago de Paladru

Built in 1010. Military heritage and french gardens characterize this monument which offers visitors some beautiful rooms : you would particularly enjoy Louis XIII's room, the medieval kitchen, the XVIIe chapel and the peculiar dunjeon.Come and discover the Virieu's castle during a one hour visit with our team of tour guide. You will start your visit in front of an impressive entrace door with 2115 original nails, topped by its pediment, bearing the Virieu coat of arms. Then, you will be in the castle's court of honor, just in front of its dungeon. You can see at your right the cannons offered by Louis XIII in 1622, placed under the arcade gallery in brick of Italian style. A few steps and you will be in the peaceful atmosphere of Virieu's chapel. Inside of it, you will discover the Way of the Cross sculpted by Stéphanie de Virieu at the age of 80. With a few steps under the gallery, you can access to the ancient kitchen, which now used as a dining room. You will discover the monumental fireplace with its low arch and its XIIIth century fireback, a souvenir of the ancient Chartreuse de la Sylve Bénite. You will also be able to appreciate its furniture before entering the Great Hall full of history. The King's bedroom, impressive and majestic room, called like that because the King Louis XIII slept there in 1622, has kept its original aspect and part of its furniture. You will then reach the White Room, which should have been a chapel. The visit touch to its end near the dungeon, which is now a memorial place dedicated to the Resistance during German's occupation from 1940 to 1944.

Welcome to MALP for a captivating time travel to the Neolithic and the year 1000. Through the exceptional remains discovered under the waters of the lake, meet the men who lived there so long ago.Thanks to its remains and many legends, Lake Paladru has always been able to feed the imagination of its visitors. It was only during the 19th century, with the discoveries of Ernest Chantre, and the 20th century, with the excavations of Hyppolite Müller, that the history of the first archaeological sites, which emerged from the waters of the lake, was revealed. Over the years, the work of archaeologists escalated and became more specific. It was in 1972 that the archaeological sites of Lake Paladru received both national and international recognition. The lake soon became a site of experimentation for innovative excavation techniques, as well as a unique site in France, for the rarity of its findings. The museum is a history of encounters, sharing, discoveries, secrets and ideas which intertwine in and around the lake. It is also a history of a village and its inhabitants, all of whom, in one way or another, have encountered the lake and its history.

The highest point of the village, this place of contemplation surrounded by fir trees is the perfect opportunity for a lovely walk. An office is celebrated there every 3rd Sunday of June.Saint-Martin-de-Vaulserre invites you to discover its gentle, peaceful countryside, dotted with adobe houses and views of Mont du Chat, Épine and Chartreuse, along a network of small roads and woodland paths.