Tour of the Abbey lake

The historic heart of Grandvaux, the Abbey site saw the foundation of the first religious establishment in the "Grande Vallée" in the 6th century. The "Belvedere du Moulin", the "Silo à images" and the "Jardin du temps" punctuate this tour of the lake and reveal a few secrets as you climb up.

This territory has been shaped by the dynamic agriculture of the Grandvaux, which has contributed over the ages to the shaping of this mosaic of landscapes. The panorama from the viewpoint of the Moulin embraces almost the entire landscape of the lake, set between the two sides of a wide valley.

From L'ABBAYE-EN-GRANDVAUX, the route climbs the path alongside the cemetery (white and red markings) towards Les Cernois.

The path rises southwards through the meadows. At the entrance to the wood, it takes the path on the right, then further on, passes in the middle of a crossroads. Cut a hairpin bend in a road, then follow it to the right and join Les Cornes.

Turn right (yellow markings) onto a forest track which gradually descends and joins a road, to find the BELVEDERE DU MOULIN on the right very quickly.

A path descends to the right through a meadow. Below a reservoir, turn left onto the road and then right onto a track which descends to the D 437. Cross carefully and join the hamlet of Sur le Moulin.

Fork right, cross the hamlet and continue along the track in the pasture to reach La Madone, on the edge of the lake. Follow the road on the left (white and red markings) which runs alongside the lake and crosses a sawmill. Follow the road around the south of the lake, past La Motte and up to the right along a gravel path. Cross the D146 and follow the road to LES BEZ.

Leave the GR on the left and continue through the hamlet (yellow markings) in a small parallel street. Reach Les Bouviers and take a road to the left then quickly leave it for a grassy path. On the small ridge on the left you will reach the SILO A IMAGES.

Continue to the hamlet of Des Guillons by joining the D 146. You have the possibility to go up to the Pardon des Guillons which dominates the hamlet, 5 minutes on the left. (yellow markings).

Go along the road and reach the crossroads with the D 437. Turn right and follow a grassy path to get closer to the lake, then left to reach the Prélet. To the left and back, access L'Échappement, Jardin du Temps et de l'Espace, a war memorial erected in 2014, the work of the American artist Amy O'NEILL, 5 min away.

Follow the lakeside path to L'ABBAYE-EN-GRANDVAUX.