Saint-Jeure-d'Ay: Hiking at Lac des Meinettes and culture in the village

Saint-Jeure-d'Ay offers several distinct reasons to stay: trails and scenery at Lac des Meinettes, hikes with views of the Vercors, and sights in the village center. For planning your trip, the specific details about the lakeside route are especially useful; the church, fountain and festival offer different points of interest.

Trails and scenery at Lac des Meinettes

Lac des Meinettes is a 14-hectare irrigation lake, created in 1990. There is a constructed path around the lake, 3.5 kilometers long, with information panels about local fauna and flora. The Tour du lac des Meinettes is a separate route: an easy, waymarked circular trail covering 4 kilometers, with an elevation gain of 20 meters and a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The starting point is at the welcome sign by the car park at Lac des Meinettes in Saint-Jeure-d'Ay. These route details give you a concrete basis for planning your time.

The two lakeside routes have different focuses, which can help you choose between them: the 3.5-kilometer path centers on information panels about local wildlife and plant life, while the Tour du lac is described as a circular route with a set distance, elevation gain and duration. This lets you weigh up the nature-related information and the route profile. The promenade at Lac des Meinettes also offers views of nearby church towers and, in the distance, the Alps.

Hiking with views of the Vercors

Hiking routes from Saint-Jeure-d'Ay lead to Montbard and into the Rhône Valley, with views of the Vercors. These hikes have a different focus from the Tour du lac: the lakeside loop is defined by its waymarked route and specific trail details, while Montbard, the Rhône Valley and views of the Vercors are the destinations and landscapes mentioned for the other hikes. This gives you several points of reference when planning your time outdoors.

Fountain and church in the village center

In the village center is the Fontaine Jeanne d'Arc. An iron-cast statue of Joan of Arc rises above its roof. Another sight is the Romanesque church. Its furnishings include Gothic choir stalls with canopies dating from the 15th century. Also dating from the 15th century is a wooden figure of Christ in the church, which is listed as a historic monument. The combination of a Romanesque church and Gothic choir stalls brings together different styles; the figure of Christ adds another work from the same period as the choir stalls to this historical focus.

Riddle trail and festival

The Saint-Jeure-d'Ay riddle trail gives children a way to discover Lac des Meinettes and the village. The activity booklet is available from the tourist office; check its availability locally. This combines a nature experience at the lake with discovering the village, although the two activities offer different things: the trail is aimed at children, while the information panels along the constructed path cover local fauna and flora.

An event date may also be important for planning your trip: the Festival des Singes Heureux has been held in Saint-Jeure-d'Ay since 2002 and takes place on the last weekend in July. Check the program for the relevant edition before your trip. This lets you consider the festival date as a distinct focus for your trip alongside the natural and cultural attractions described as available year-round.

Discover more destinations: Nonières, Vallon Pont D'arc, Saint Pons, Saint Thome, Valvignères, Bourg-Saint-Andéol, Satillieu, Chalencon.

For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.