The Rhône floodplains between Grigny and Millery

Car park of the Syndicat Mixte du Rhône des Îles et des Lônes (SMIRIL) in Grigny, Rue Adrien Dutartre.

(S/E) Head to the back of the car park and take the wide path that starts there, running alongside the railway line on your left. Ignore the side paths and continue straight on along this path as it moves away from the railway line. The route is flat and passes through a wooded area typical of the banks of the Rhône. Continue along this wide main path until you reach the educational pond (not shown on the IGN map, but it appears on the OSM map).

(1) Take the small path that crosses this discovery area. Walk alongside the various ponds and information boards dedicated to the flora and fauna of the wetlands. At the end of the route, rejoin the main path and continue towards the Wetlands Discovery Centre.

(2) At this point, continue along the main path. The trail passes through a preserved natural area consisting of woodland and vegetation typical of the Rhône floodplains. The terrain remains easy and presents no particular difficulty. Continue to the pumping station fed by water from the Rhône.

(3) Continue along the path running alongside the natural areas towards the Rhône and head south, parallel to the river. Several clearings in the vegetation offer views of the Rhône’s oxbow lakes and the surrounding wetlands.

(4) Enjoy the view of the river and the Rhône valley. Then follow the riverside path. The route offers several unobstructed views of the Rhône as well as the small natural beaches formed along the water’s edge. Continue along this path, which gradually leads back towards the starting point. Return to the SMIRIL car park (S/E) to finish this pleasant walk exploring the natural environments of the Rhône region.

• An easy route with very little elevation gain.
• The ground may be damp or muddy after periods of rain.
• The start of the walk is shaded, which is pleasant in summer.
• Opportunities to spot birds and other species associated with wetlands.
• Some sections may be less accessible when the Rhône is in flood or during periods of flooding.
• Benches and picnic areas are available.
• The route can also be walked in the opposite direction without any particular difficulty.

• The educational pond and its facilities dedicated to learning about wetlands.
• The pumping station that draws water from the Rhône, a key piece of infrastructure for the area’s water supply.
• Viewpoints over the Rhône and its natural banks.
• On the opposite bank, the Church of Saint-Mayol de Ternay is visible on the heights overlooking the river.