The ponds of the Jura Bresse

Between plains, vineyards and hills, discover Commenailles, a typical village in the Bresse region of the Jura, set in unspoilt countryside with rolling hills, ponds and forests, home to many protected species. Throughout the route, you will discover beautiful Bresse-style houses.

Details

59113
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.70 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 44 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 48 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 219 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 196 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Commenailles (39140)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.802757° / E 5.452053°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3125E, 3126E, 3225O, 3226O
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the town hall square in Commenailles.

(S/E) Take the D38 opposite for 300 m, then turn right towards La Réchassière for 1 km and enter the Bois des Burlets.

:1:: Turn left onto a beautiful forest lane. Cross the woods to rejoin the D38. Follow it to the right for 400m.

(2) At the crossroads, turn left and take the field path which crosses the woods again (650m), then turn right towards Les Ongrilles.

(3) Don't forget the path leading to the Magdelon sulphurous spring 300m further on (signposted).

(4) Retrace your steps and turn right, continuing towards Les Ongrilles.

(5) At the crossroads, turn left onto Rue de l'Haut.
Along the way, admire the beautiful, lovingly restored Bresse farms. Continue towards the Étang du Vernois.

(6) When you see the pond, turn right onto a small road towards Les Miconnets. Continue towards Étang du Crêt after crossing the D122 and go around Étang Vaillant.

(7) Leave the road and take the dyke path on the left. Observe the birds and nature in this beautiful place from the observation post. The path enters the forest, heading towards the hamlet of Bois d'Amont. Here again , there are beautiful farms.

(8) Continue towards Les Blands. Cross the hamlet towards the D122.

(9) Follow it on the left for 80 metres and turn right onto the path to Les Montarlots. Continue along the road towards Villarnier. Follow the woods of the same name and arrive at a crossroads.

(10) Make a round trip to the left towards the Étang de la Cailla. Continue for about 400 m.

(11) Turn left onto a path that enters the forest. Go around the Étang de la Nuisière and then the Étang Sarrassin.

(12) Turn right, walk along the Étang Curtil Chaffin and turn right onto the D38 to reach the town hall square in Commenailles (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 217 m - Town hall square in Commenailles
  2. 1 : km 1.3 - alt. 215 m - Fork in the forest path
  3. 2 : km 2.74 - alt. 212 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 3.63 - alt. 215 m - Round trip to the spring
  5. 4 : km 3.88 - alt. 210 m - Magdelon sulphurous spring
  6. 5 : km 4.8 - alt. 212 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 6.45 - alt. 203 m - Étang du Vernois - Étang du Vernois
  8. 7 : km 9.14 - alt. 197 m - Étang Vaillant - Étang Vaillant
  9. 8 : km 10.65 - alt. 212 m - Hameau du Bois d'Amont
  10. 9 : km 12.28 - alt. 205 m - D122
  11. 10 : km 14.55 - alt. 208 m - Return trip to the pond - Étang de la Cailla
  12. 11 : km 15.48 - alt. 217 m - Fork
  13. 12 : km 16.92 - alt. 217 m - Étang Sarrassin - Étang de la Nuisière
  14. S/E : km 17.7 - alt. 217 m - Town hall square in Commenailles

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Lukowiak Michel
Lukowiak Michel

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Apart from a few beautiful houses and ponds, you walk just for the sake of walking!

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Socié Claude
Socié Claude

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant circular to walk in a single day, especially on such a beautiful sunny day. Surrounded by nature. Beautiful views of the ponds and lots of birds. Weekday = no hunters! Lovely Bresse farms to discover. A bit of tarmac, but at this time of year it doesn't matter too much.

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MARTDomi
MARTDomi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, varied walk with no monotony

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Primot Masson
Primot Masson

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Several dry ponds, what a shame! Too much tarmac when there must surely be ways to find paths to avoid the roads. On the other hand, there are some very beautiful Bresse houses. Not recommended in hot weather!

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Nicolas DL
Nicolas DL

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. Long but not difficult. Having access to the guide on my phone made it easy, but the written description was not always clear. Best done when it's not too hot, as there are long stretches without shade.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion.

By "marked on the map", we do not mean evaluating the markings, but rather the accuracy of the route as it appears on the map in relation to the actual terrain.

Visorando does not recommend signposting as it can be modified or removed, whereas information about the terrain is stable.

See you soon!

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gr21
gr21

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

No markings on certain sections, only marked on the road. It seems they didn't have the courage to get out of the car and walk the route. Paint markings are barely visible or not visible at all, so this needs to be reviewed!!!!!

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pnicolle88
pnicolle88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike that isn't very technical, just flat terrain. I recommend it.

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mouflontaquin
mouflontaquin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The problem with ponds is that some of them are dry! That's well known. Work is planned to repair the leaky ones.
The perfect route for a gentle hike.
Grassy verges often mean you don't have to walk on tarmac, and even when you do, it's never for very long.
What's more, a careful reading of the 1:25,000 map allows you to bypass a few stretches.

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gucci71
gucci71

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

dry ponds, therefore no fish, no birds, bleak landscape

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ponsot
ponsot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant hike, best done in the colder months as there is a lot of tarmac and little shade. 150 m before junction 9, we turned left until elevation 214, then right until elevation 213, and right again at the next junction to reach point 9, which saved us from having to make a round trip to the Cailla pond.

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cuzcodom
cuzcodom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb route, with very well-equipped bird observatories. Remember to bring your binoculars...

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touareg7122
touareg7122

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The route was created by a Belgian walking club (Les Piverts de Courrière), who returned delighted
The fact that they set off with a reliable plan was a bonus for the club.

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