Janneyrias combines a wetland habitat with hiking destinations and historic sites. The Marais de Léchère-Merlan is characterized by peaty alder-ash woodland and specialized flora; the “Autour de Janneyrias” route leads to the Étang des Portions and on to the ruins of the Château de Malatrait. There is also a memorial and the history of former structures in the Malatrait fortifications. You can therefore make nature, a specific hike or local history the focus of your stay.

Wet Woodland and Floodplain Landscape

The Marais de Léchère-Merlan ZNIEFF area includes Janneyrias and covers 19.4 hectares. It is a peaty alder-ash woodland with rich specialized flora. Its characteristic habitats include floodplain forests of ash and alder on soils that are flooded during high water and drained at low water. This makes the changing water conditions as important as the tree species. If you are particularly interested in nature, you can make these features the focus of your stay rather than seeing Janneyrias only as a starting point for a hike.

Rules on access and paths apply to the Marais de Montanet to help preserve the biotope and the protected species found there. Check the current guidance before visiting, as the responsible authorities may update the rules.

Hiking to the Étang des Portions and Malatrait

The “Autour de Janneyrias” route is an easy 4.3-kilometer hike with 59 meters of elevation gain; the estimated duration is 1 hour and 25 minutes. It leads to the Étang des Portions, where hikers can take in the landscape and wildlife, and continues to the ruins of the Château de Malatrait. The route length, elevation gain and estimated time give you a clear guide for this hike. The duration is an estimate for the route, not for your entire stay. As route details can change, check the current route before setting out.

The “Autour de Malatrait” route also has a clearly identified point of interest: it passes the former Chapelle Saint-Ours, which also serves as an aircraft-noise monitoring station. The routes therefore offer different points of focus: “Autour de Janneyrias” features the Étang des Portions and the ruins along the way, while “Autour de Malatrait” passes the former chapel and its monitoring function. You can use these described destinations to help you choose between the routes.

Memorials and Local History

The Mémorial de la bataille d’Anthon is located in the Bois des Franchises. The Malatrait fortifications once included a chapel and a dovecote; both were demolished because they posed a danger to walkers. This local history adds specific former buildings to the named hiking destinations and explains why they are no longer there. The memorial and the history of the fortifications offer distinct points of historical interest alongside the landscape.

Plan Your Stay and Journey

When looking for accommodation, it is worth first deciding what you would most like to focus on: would you mainly like to hike to the Étang des Portions, or are you more interested in wetlands and historic sites? This does not require a particular order for your visits or a fixed daily itinerary. You can decide how to prioritize the different places and themes according to your preferences.

Transisère is a source of transport information for Janneyrias. Check the details before you travel.

Discover More Destinations

Saint-Étienne-De-Crossey, Saint-Alban-Du-Rhône, Chantelouve, Saint-Paul-lès-Monestier, Méaudre, Paladru, Auris, La Sône

For the main travel overview: Isere.