Walking - Le Régrillon - Pélussin n°2

Caution: Crossing the Régrillon stream ford can be difficult when the water is high.

This walk explores the area around the stream. Vegetation and human settlement share the floor of this deep valley, which was once the heart of the silk industry. From the 18th to the early 20th century, the silk trade brought prosperity to Pélussin. Around 1845, over 2,000 workers were employed in silk throwing and weaving, often for major Lyon-based silk houses.

Start: Place du 8 Mai car park (near the roundabout by the state school). It is also possible to start from the Maison du Parc by following the brown and white waymarkers for the "Tour du Parc" trail. (This adds 2 km and 74 m of elevation gain). At the far end of Place du 8 Mai, take the pedestrian crossing in front of the school. At the crossroads, turn left onto Rue Antoine Eyraud.
Continue straight on Rue Antoine Eyraud, passing the church and the town hall. At the cemetery, take a right onto Rue des Berlettes and follow it for 900 m. At the fork, take the path on the right, lined with low stone walls, which runs alongside old orchards and horse paddocks. Go around a "loge" (a small stone hut) and continue to the D7 road. Follow the road to the right for 500 m, walking alongside the retaining wall.
At the signposted crossroads, turn right and follow a path down to the Régrillon stream.
The path descends the "adret" (the sunny side of the valley); succulents, soapworts and stonecrops turn the rock into a natural rock garden. The ravine is home to many birds, including cuckoos, thrushes and warblers. Out of sight, this slope is a corridor for many mammals (foxes, beech martens and roe deer) and nocturnal birds of prey (tawny owls and long-eared owls).
Ford the stream with care, as the rocks can be slippery depending on the water level, before climbing back up into the woods. On the plateau, fork right and continue to La Chauderie. Take the road on the right for 500 m. Go through the hamlet of La Vialle, then take a dirt track on the right. Cross the equestrian centre and head down towards the stream, following it to reach the hamlet of Les Rivières. Please note: This section was badly damaged by flooding in 2024.
The remains of silk throwing and weaving mills stand alongside houses that are still inhabited today.
Turn right, and after the bridge, turn left. Then go up the steps, turn left again and climb a narrow path up to the road (view of the viaduct on the left; you can cross it if you wish).
Take the road to the right, which will lead you back to the starting point.

⚠️ Caution: This is a busy road, please be careful.

You are responsible for your own safety. All hiking is undertaken at your own risk. Please stay on the waymarked trails to protect these fragile environments.

General advice:

• Check the weather forecast before you set out.


• Some routes cross busy roads: Please be careful.


• Keep dogs on a lead.


• Do not light any fires.


• Take your litter home with you.


• Admire the flowers, but do not pick them.


• Tick bites can lead to serious diseases; to prevent them: wear clothing that covers your skin, use repellent, check your body upon your return, remove any ticks with a tick remover without applying anything to it, and consult a doctor if a rash or flu-like symptoms appear, or if you are in an at-risk group.


• For emergency services, dial 18 or 112.