Valserhône - La Ferme du Retord

(S) Leave the station and follow Rue de Lafayette to the roundabout.

(1) Take the second exit at the roundabout and follow Rue de l'Industrie for 250 metres.

(2) Turn right onto Rue du Ponthou and join Rue de l'Avenir.

(3) Turn right onto Rue de la Grimpette, which lives up to its name.

(4) Continue straight ahead on Rue du Lotissement for 60 metres. Then turn right onto Route d'Ochiaz.

(5) At a place called "En Châtenay", continue straight ahead and ignore the path on the left.

(6) At the Champ Bottu intersection, continue on the GR® and reach the PR®.

(7) Continue to follow the red and white marked GR® trail to reach Bouveira.

(8) Continue straight ahead on the road for 500 metres.

(9) At Place du Retord, take the D991 on the left, then Route du Four Banal on the right.

(10) At Route du Retord, take the street on the left towards the church and follow the road on the right for 100 metres.

(11) Then follow the GRP® on the right.

(12) Cross the road to take the GR®.

(13) At Catray d'en bas, continue straight ahead.

(14) At Catray, turn left and continue straight ahead, following the GR® for 2.5 km.

(15) At La Gabouille, continue right on the GR®. Then turn right twice. At the track, continue left and then turn right.

(16) At La Jalinière, turn left and continue straight ahead, keeping an eye on the red and white markings for 2 km.

(17) At La Charnay, turn right towards La Ferme du Retord and continue for 1.5 km. Arrive at La Ferme du Retord (E) for a well-deserved rest before continuing this exotic journey.

Be well equipped
Good equipment is the key to a successful hiking trip. Bring a suitable rucksack (around 10 kg) and don't forget the essentials:
- Technical clothing for cold and wet weather
- Sleeping bag or groundsheet
- Sunglasses
- Food and water
- Head torch
- Walking sticks
- Complete first aid kit

Water is essential. Find out where you can get water along your route and bring purification tablets in case you don't have access to clean water.

Before you leave
- Check the weather forecast to make sure there will be no precipitation.
- Find out about the approach walk, the height of the route, the walking time, and possible escape routes (IGN map, GPS, guidebook, etc.).
- Assess the possible risks by consulting mountain professionals, refuges, and lodges.
- Inform a friend or family member of your plans and contact them again in case of any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with each person's phone number, vehicle(s), parking.
- Avoid setting off alone. Use equipment that is suitable for the activity, properly adjusted and in good condition, including a head torch, a complete first aid kit, a survival blanket, etc.
- In case of an emergency, call 112(European emergency number).

Additional advice and recommendations
To find out more about our destination, visit our website: Pays de Gex Tourisme.

The Retord Chapel is located in the hamlet of Vézeronce on the Retord plateau in the Ain department.

The surrounding area has been a parish since 1674. A chapel once stood on the same site. It was replaced in 1852 by the current building. In 1909, the last parish priest, Émilien Favre, left the area when the parish was merged with that of Grand-Abergement. The chapel then fell into ruin. Abbot Frédéric Tarpin-Bernard, parish priest of Grand-Abergement from 1940 to 1978, then undertook its restoration.