Sentier de l'Abri Freymond
The start of the walk is in the village of L'Isle, where you will find the yellow hiking signs. First, follow "Sources de la Venoge" and then "Col du Mollendruz".
The way up to the Mollendruz pass is a forest path, very uneven with stones or holes. The ascent is very physical with steep ends. Once you have reached the Mollendruz, most of the descent is on a pebble path or an asphalt road.
You will see the Mont-Blanc on your descent on a clear day.
You should wear good walking shoes, take plenty of water and be aware that this is a very physical hike.
There are no picnic tables along the entire route of the hike. You will find a bakery in L'Isle if you wish to buy a sandwich for your hike. If you run out of water, you will find drinking fountains in the villages.
Sentier de l'Abri Freymond (©MRT)
Randonnée à pied sources de la Venoge L'Isle 2019 (© Raphaël Dupertuis)
Sentier de l'Abri Freymond (©MRT)
Sentier de l'Abri Freymond (©MRT)
Le Château de l'Isle (© Sacha Fehlmann)
661.96588134766
L'Isle
L’Isle is a charming Jura foot village, accessible by the train MBC. The Castle of L’Isle, built in the 17th century, was given the surname “Petit Versaille vaudois” (Little Versailles of Vaud).
The Castle was built in 1696 by Charles de Chandieu, a Lieutenant General of the Swiss guards of Louis XIV. After having passed into possession of different families, the Castle of L’Isle was finally bought back in 1876 by the commune of L’Isle and converted into schoolrooms and a town hall. The Castle can not be visited.
The Venoge river, immortalized in 1954 by Jean Villard-Gilles, has its source in the upper village. The Venoge has not only one but six sources: The blue and white hiking trails lead to the two main springs, Le Chaudron and Le Puits.
"On the Steps of Huguenots", this track of 76 km is a tribute to the 200'000 refugees who have avoided France, further to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. It is a path of tolerance that we make eyes opened on the history.
(©Raymond Gruaz)
(©Sacha Fehlmann)
(©Sacha Fehlmann)
(©Sacha Fehlmann)
663.53448486328
L'Isle Castle
Built in 1696 by Charles de Chandieu, the Château de l’Isle is a monument steeped in history. Originating from around 1700 during the classical era in France, this building greatly resembles that of the architectural movement of the time, where the Château de Versailles was built.
The, “La Vénoge” river has enabled the Château to benefit from a beautiful French garden, as well as a river basin bordered by two tree-lined paths. At first the Chandieu family lived in the old residence until the end of the 18th century. François Louis Roulet of Neuchâtel was the first to live there in the 19th century, and then it was handed down through marriage to the Cornaz Family of Montet Cudrefin.
In 1876, the commune of l’Isle bought and restored the château. Today it houses the municipal department of housing and classrooms. Since 1941, the château has been a listed building.
Château de L'Isle leaflet (Château de L'Isle)
Le Château de l'Isle (© Sacha Fehlmann)
Le Château de l'Isle (© Sacha Fehlmann)
Intérieur du Château (© MRT)
Le Château en automne (© Raymond Gruaz)
714.28668212891
Sources de la Venoge
A seventh source is a few metres to the east of Le Chauderon. It feeds the Venogette, a tributary of the Venoge. The space between these two rivers formed an "island", which probably gave the name to the village of L'Isle.
The main source, Le Chauderon, is located in the lower area of the City. It is a Vaucluse source. 700 m further upstream is Le Puits, which is in fact an overflow of Le Chauderon.
This source only comes into action during heavy rains or when the snow melts. At a still undetermined period, perhaps Roman, a dam was built to direct the water into canals located on either side of the river in order to irrigate the fields or bring water to an inhabited site.
Randonnée à pied sources de la Venoge L'Isle 2019 (© Raphaël Dupertuis)
Randonnée à pied sources de la Venoge L'Isle 2019 (© Raphaël Dupertuis)
Randonnée à pied sources de la Venoge L'Isle 2019 (© Raphaël Dupertuis)
1177.8596191406
The Mollendruz
From Lausanne or Morges, the pass is one of the main accesses to the Vallée de Joux, a kind of link between the Lake Geneva area and Lac de Joux.
The road is very well maintained, is pleasant to ride and has numerous turns. At the top, you will find a large car park, which is very frequented during weekends and holidays. This car park enables you to park your vehicle in order to discover the ridges of the Jura, on foot or by mountain bike during the summer.
In the winter, the Mollendruz region offers winter ambiance and landscapes. Many cross-country ski trails, snow walking trails and snowshoeing trails are the delight of outdoor enthusiasts and winter enthusiasts.
Mollendruz (© Morges Région Tourisme)
(©MRT)
(©MRT)
(©MRT)
1179.0723876953
Nordic-sport - Mollendruz pass
Located at the start of the slopes of Mollendruz pass, the shop is impossible to miss. Skiing and hiking instructor, Jean-Pierre Clerc and his team welcome visitors, athletes or beginners, with a smile and enthusiasm. You also have the possibility to buy drinks and ice creams in the shop.
Cross-country skiing:
At Le Mollendruz you have 65 km of marked and groomed tracks for cross-country skiing in classic and skating.
Snowshoes:
For those who like non-skating, there is a 4 km (~1h30) course with the possibility of a lunch break at the Chalet restaurant La Breguettaz in the middle of the course. An 8 km (~3h30) course that will take you to la Croix de Châtel and you will pass in front of the Chalet du Mollendruz where you can stop for lunch. These are marked and maintained tracks for snowshoeing.
Ski school:
During the week and at weekends, the cross-country ski instructors offer beginners' and advanced courses on request.
You have the possibility to rent equipment directly from the shop. You will find all prices on the Nordic-sport website.
Electric mountain bikes:
New at Mollendruz, hire of "Lapierre HT 5.5" e-bike with helmet and, on request, the possibility of having a guide.
Electric mountain bike rates:
Half day (13h-17h): CHF 40.-
Full day (10h-17h): CHF 60.-
2 days: CHF 120.-
3 days: CHF 160.-
4 days: CHF 200.-
5 days: CHF 240.-
6 days: CHF 280.-
7 days: CHF 320.-
8 days: CHF 360.-
9 days: CHF 400.-
10 days: CHF 440.-
Half-day guide: CHF 150.-
Full-day guide: CHF 220.-
Minimum age:
14 years old with moped licence, 16 years old without licence
Hiking:
For all your outings in this beautiful region we offer guided and unguided hikes.
For example, to go to the Chalet des Croisettes via La Croix de Châtel. (~3h)
Nordic Sport Mollendruz (Marie Contreras )
Nordic Sport Mollendruz (Marie Contreras )
Nordic Sport Mollendruz (Marie Contreras )
Nordic Sport (Marie Contreras)
Ski de fond famille arbres hiver 2019 (©Nicolas Gascard)
Itinéraire ski de fond 2 (©Nordic Sport)
Itinéraire ski de fond (©Nordic Sport)
(©Eric Hoyois)
(©Eric Hoyois)
Le Mollendruz (© MRT)
Le Mollendruz en hiver (© MRT)
Piste de ski de fond au Mollendruz (© MRT)
VTT Mollendruz (©JadeRochat)
663.66174316406
Confectionery Yves Hohl
The confectionery welcomes its customers on an old restored farm from 1904.
Its specialities range from: Sunday brunch at 10am and 12.30pm upon reservation, breakfast, artisanal drinks, patisserie and chocolates, bread twists, daily specials with perch fillet, veggie dishes, Papet vaudois (local sausage speciality), as well as kids’ menus. A catering service is also available upon request.
Chocolat chaud, Hohl (©Hohl)
Confiserie Yves Hohl (©YvesHohl)
(© MRT)
662.11785888672
661.42248535156
660.84844970703
659.45788574219
659.54327392578
659.49652099609
661.19940185547
679.08776855469
689.09240722656
691.70141601562
693.90350341797
702.2890625
715.42242431641
719.80889892578
724.95355224609
738.3828125
740.21057128906
746.07916259766
755.58850097656
780.51770019531
784.54278564453
789.38732910156
804.86730957031
823.05413818359
846.54705810547
847.37084960938
866.23217773438
878.03546142578
906.43914794922
925.06683349609
962.21624755859
982.37261962891
997.74169921875
988.06750488281
992.41314697266
1023.3871459961
1028.5085449219
1033.2401123047
1041.6262207031
1058.2822265625
1057.4665527344
1064.1505126953
1072.1569824219
1092.5736083984
1100.6440429688
1114.5895996094
1100.6440429688
1099.9881591797
1100.6440429688
1109.8947753906
1098.5247802734
1096.0198974609
1092.9060058594
1084.6541748047
1085.486328125
1076.1831054688
1075.1805419922
1062.96875
1051.0733642578
1047.4747314453
1042.1030273438
1039.0981445312
1039.0487060547
1045.7271728516
1060.5576171875
1080.9125976562
1093.4738769531
1108.6397705078
1127.0260009766
1138.8579101562
1143.3295898438
1147.2261962891
1160.0200195312
1161.9117431641
1156.4045410156
1158.3540039062
1149.2053222656
1146.005859375
1147.0689697266
1141.9666748047
1140.0162353516
1132.9870605469
1134.0444335938
1134.6633300781
1125.6749267578
1128.3575439453
1130.8026123047
1140.4443359375
1139.68359375
1149.4366455078
1158.9393310547
1171.6573486328
1176.0594482422
1184.7733154297
1170.4409179688
1164.1513671875
1180.8500976562
1171.5257568359
1175.0676269531
1171.5257568359
1178.4744873047
1157.7786865234
1144.8675537109
1127.6212158203
1116.1417236328
1108.1165771484
1103.0460205078
1081.6315917969
1070.4370117188
1054.3151855469
1044.6584472656
1040.76953125
1033.3793945312
1025.9219970703
1011.6127319336
1006.8060913086
1002.0296020508
991.52178955078
974.76135253906
962.99755859375
948.95922851562
924.88726806641
913.66809082031
886.01898193359
863.86004638672
853.97998046875
849.29803466797
838.10906982422
834.55255126953
832.40979003906
818.314453125
811.71807861328
805.62268066406
804.99230957031
800.21618652344
798.59558105469
790.51251220703
784.75592041016
774.47937011719
774.56481933594
777.97576904297
773.05120849609
767.28228759766
764.20556640625
756.87670898438
738.630859375
746.28503417969
743.31475830078
744.24957275391
742.90411376953
739.97735595703
720.77294921875
723.31390380859
728.78479003906
736.64636230469
726.82440185547
729.62255859375
724.25476074219
708.33087158203
686.76837158203
675.92602539062
672.54742431641
671.26147460938
665.40631103516
662.37066650391
661.13720703125
660.89495849609
663.07232666016
663.41479492188
661.57647705078