Saint-Marcel-Lès-Annonay: Lake Ternay and Via Fluvia

For a stay in Saint-Marcel-Lès-Annonay, you can focus on several things: trails around Lake Ternay, the Via Fluvia, the La Croix de Chirol panoramic hike and historic buildings. You can plan your stay around a specific route, a circular trail or historical sights.

Lake Ternay and the Ternay Dam

The Ternay Dam was built in 1858 by Étienne de Canson to create a drinking water supply for Annonay. The structure was inaugurated on 19 May 1867. Its original role in supplying water makes it part of the history of Annonay’s water supply. Today, the dam area is suitable for walking, jogging, inline skating and cycling. This brings together historic infrastructure and various ways to get active in one place.

Lake Ternay covers 30 hectares. The Chemin de Ronde is a roughly four-kilometre path around the lake, lined with cedar trees and a few giant sequoias. Its approximate length and circular route give it a different focus from the La Croix de Chirol panoramic hike. Swimming is prohibited in Lake Ternay. If you choose trails by their character, you can opt for a circuit around the lake or a hike to a viewpoint.

Via Fluvia and the La Croix de Chirol hike

A 10-kilometre section of the Via Fluvia connects Saint-Marcel-Lès-Annonay with Annonay. The Via Fluvia runs along the Deûme River towards Annonay. The route is accessible to cyclists, pedestrians, inline skaters, scooter riders and people with strollers. These different ways of getting around make the Via Fluvia an alternative to trails focused on hiking or activities at the dam. Route infrastructure may change. So check current route conditions before setting off and be considerate of other users.

The La Croix de Chirol hike starts and ends at Place des anciens combattants in Saint-Marcel-Lès-Annonay. It is a panoramic hike that leads to the Croix de Chirol viewpoint. The shared starting and ending point gives you a specific reference for planning, while the viewpoint defines the character of the hike. Unlike the Via Fluvia, it is not a connecting section between two places, but a route to a named viewpoint. Local hiking conditions may also change, so it is advisable to check them before setting out.

Church and local history

The Église Saint-Marcel in Saint-Marcel-Lès-Annonay dates from 1894 and is neo-Gothic. It adds another cultural and historical aspect to the story of the Ternay Dam. The church dates from after the dam’s inauguration in 1867, so the two buildings represent different chapters in local history. If you would like to include culture in your travel plans alongside trails and activities, the Église Saint-Marcel offers another historical point of interest.

When choosing a hotel in Saint-Marcel-Lès-Annonay, these differences may help you decide: the Via Fluvia connects two places and is accessible to several types of users; the Chemin de Ronde goes around the lake, while La Croix de Chirol offers a hike to a viewpoint. The dam and church add history to the choices. You can shape your stay around the activities and subjects that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Albon-D'ardèche, Dunière-sur-Eyrieux, Dornas, Chomérac, Viviers, Rocher, Saint-Désirat, St. Andeol-De-Vals

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