Loop 6: The great lake crossing by bike

ATTENTION: The D20 between Crillat and the junction with the D28 is closed until further notice due to a collapse. A diversion has been set up from Bonlieu to Clairvaux, staying on the D678.

Eight lakes, archaeological sites, Moirans-en-Montagne, city of toys and children, the landscapes of the Pays des Lacs and Petite Montagne, typical villages... And water everywhere! This 134km route is well worth the effort!
From Clairvaux-les-Lacs, a pretty tourist resort on the shores of its two lakes, and also a Unesco World Heritage Site, the RD27 and then the RD470 catch up with Lake Vouglans (35km long, France's 3rd largest man-made reservoir) at the Pyle bridge before heading towards the Petite Montagne and its rolling countryside. Before Cernon and the descent to the Vouglans dam (built in 1968), the view of the meandering lake is magnificent. The route then follows the River Ain as far as Lac de Coiselet. The climb up to Martigna takes in the Côte de Montcusel (a remarkable ascent), with sections at 15%, then passes the Gallo-Roman site of Villards-d'Héria before passing through Moirans-en-Montagne and its famous toy museum. The return journey passes through Maisod, reaches the Pyle bridge and continues to Pont-de-Poitte, skirting the northern part of Lac de Vouglans.
From there, the route climbs back up through Blye and Chatillon to the turquoise waters of Lake Chalain (another Neolithic site). A few kilometres uphill takes you to the plateaux where the legendary lakes of Vernois, Ilay, Narlay, Petit and Grand Maclu nestle. Before heading back down to Clairvaux via Bonlieu, the route skirts the fabulous Hérisson waterfalls.
A dream route!