Pays de Gex - A Return to the Springs


			
			
			
			
					
				
		
							

			

								
					
A Return to the Springs

											
								
							

			

			
		

				

			
				

	
		

			
			
Allondon Springs

			

			

			Right in the heart of a remarkable site like the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park, the Allondon springs trail leads you to the discovery of canals, locks, remnants of old mills and paddle wheels that have witnessed the extensive use of hydropower in the region. The villages were in fact built near the springs that fed the mills, beater mills, sawmills and tanneries. Around 1800, there were seven sawmills or beater mills around Mijoux. Leave from the springs parking area upstream from the hamlet of Naz-dessus (Echenevex). Educational and recreational trail accessible to all.
			

			

			 
			

			

			 
			

			

			 
			

			

			 
			

			

			 
			

			

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			Old lock at the Allondon spring

			

			

			

			

			

					
			
			
Divonne Springs

			

			

			The Jura massive of La Dôle (alt. 1,680 m) dominates Divonne (alt. 480 m) and constitutes a real water tower for the Gex piedmont. At the center of Divonne, there are five “Divona” springs (the water was deified by the Romans) arising from the depths and bringing beneficial mineral properties. There are different kinds: resurgent springs - including the Great Divonne Springs - fed by the melting snow and summer storms, tuffaceous springs flowing into small streams, the never-ending springs of Piedmont and mineral springs that feed the thermal baths. Three springs arise from the core of the town: “Emma” with boiling glacial sands, "Vidart" which literally means arising out of the ground and "Barbilaine" which have fed the thermal baths for 140 years. At the foot of Mont Mussy, just a short distance from the center, the great Divonne Springs gushes.

			

			

			

			

			

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			Source Paul Vidart 
			

			

			  
			

			

			

			

			

			

			

			

			

			

			

				
					

						 
						 
						 
					

					

						 
						
						

						Visits organized by the Tourism Office depart from the Casino and lead you on a discovery of the Vidart, Emma and Barbilaine springs before coming back to the main thermal spring. From June to September. Town map and information at the Divonne-les-Bains Tourism Office.

						

						www.divonnelesbains.com 

						

						Tél: 04  50 20 01 22 
						

								
						 
					

					

						 
						 
						 
					

				
			

					
		

	



Les Pertes de la Valserine in Bellegarde















This informative walk begins in the parking area at the railway viaduct and heads along rue Louis Dumont.  Here you will find the oldest hydro-electric power plant in France, which was established in 1884. Along the river banks, the customs booth demonstrates the importance of trade with the tax-free zone of 19th century Pays de Gex. From the corbelling on the footbridges, the trail winds along the right bank all the way to the remains of the telemechanical power plant, which moved the water power to a mill. Cross the Valserine on a footbridge, continue following the banks to discover a site molded by erosion. There are wonders to discover: potholes, small cavities and canyons, before the water will be entirely lost under the rock. Years ago, the natural bridge of Oulles created at this location was used as a passageway by smugglers, peasants, traders and warriors. Following its collapse, this bridge is no longer natural. The trail takes you to a series of stairs and footbridges. From there, retrace your steps to get back to the railway bridge. 




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Duration: 2 hrs, difficulty: easy, 200 m change in altitude.

Trail equipped and marked. Brochure available at Tourism Offices.