Discover Dullin: Dry Stone, Village Trails and Lakeside Surroundings

Dry-stone walls, historic buildings and several named trails shape the described sides of Dullin. The building styles stand out in the village centre, while viewpoints, streams and Lac d’Aiguebelette offer different points of interest. When planning a stay, you can therefore weigh up different interests: village history, a walk with specific route details, or an outing centred on the water.

Dry Stone and Village History

Dullin has numerous dry-stone buildings. Dry-stone walls are also used to mark property boundaries. The houses feature stone lintels, small openings, stone sinks, shingle roofs and accolade-shaped details. Some barns or houses date largely from the late 18th century and have been renovated, bringing their stone walls to prominence.

Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste stands in the centre of the village and is classified as a historic monument. The lower part of the bell tower may date from the 14th or 15th century; this is therefore a possibility, and the dating refers to this section. Chapelle Saint-Joseph is among the remains of what is believed to be Dullin’s oldest still-identifiable church. Another historic trace is the very old Pont de Téloncin, recently restored.

The Sentier du Follaton hiking trail also includes a dry-stone structure: a rescued and partially rebuilt bridge over the Ruisseau du Rondelet. The Follaton itself is a local legendary creature. People once believed it protected the residents and their homes. So the name appears not only in trail names, but also in a traditional belief from Dullin.

Village Scenery, Landscape and Lake

From the village centre, there are views across the lake valley, towards Montagne de l’Épine and the Chartreuse. Dullin’s landscape is semi-open and shaped by substantial forage farming. Three kilometres away, at the foot of Montagne de l’Épine, lies Lac d’Aiguebelette. Motorboats are prohibited on the lake.

The trails offer different perspectives. La vache et le Follaton is an easy 4.6-kilometre walk that takes two and a half hours. It passes through the village, by the washhouse and farmsteads, and reaches the Belvédère du Grand Bec viewpoint. La boucle du Follaton has different highlights: the route follows the Ruisseau du Rondelet and includes a short detour to its waterfall. From Banc des Dames, there are views across the Guiers valley.

On the return leg of the hike The Cow and the Follaton, there is a cooperative shop. You can taste cheese made from the milk of the cows you encountered on the walk. Route details may change, so check the latest description before setting off.

Getting Your Bearings and Activities in the Village

The Parcours ludique du village de Dullin is a fun orienteering course suitable for children. There are ten hidden checkpoints in the village centre, each with a question. This activity offers a different kind of exploration from the hiking trails: rather than a stated distance, the focus is on finding the checkpoints and answering the questions. Dullin also has a large play area with a course and a bike park.

When choosing a hotel in Dullin, these differences can help you match the village to your travel interests: the village architecture and its history are one focus, while the hiking trails differ in their stated duration, streams and viewpoints. This keeps the focus on the village’s specific features without combining the trails into a single outing.

Discover more destinations: La Thuile, Saint-Paul, Termignon, Val-D'isère, Bramans, Seez, Montchavin, Brison-Saint-Innocent

For the broader travel overview: Savoie.