Come on! With summer in full swing, this weekend it’s decided: we’re taking to the open seas for an out-of-town jaunt. As with the Gorges de Thurignin, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Raisins or the Lac Bleu d’Ambérieu-en-Bugey, there’s no need to take a leave of absence to escape to this little-known gem in the Lyonnais region.
The village of Malleval and its Saut de Lorette waterfall
Like Yvoire on the shores of Lake Geneva, Malleval is a small village (with a population of less than 700, but a highly recommended tourist office) brimming with treasures of all kinds. The remains of a fortified castle, the church of Notre-Dame de Pitié and a number of Renaissance houses give the village a timeless charm. Nestled in its rocky setting on the heights of the Rhône, the little town is easy to stroll through its narrow streets. Take your time zigzagging around to admire the different panoramas, and don’t forget to visit the famous waterfall…
It’s the queen of the place! If you park in the large parking lot, you can reach the waterfall via a steep path (remember to wear shoes), but it’s well worth the detour. The ten-metre-high waterfall awaits you in all its splendour.
A place full of magic and legends…
This waterfall hides many mysteries, and the village’s name even comes from a local legend. Lorette, a young shepherdess, went there to escape the advances of an overly insistent lord. Distraught, the young girl had no choice but to jump to escape him. He himself followed her in her fall, shouting “Mal va!“, thus giving birth to the name Malleval. All’s well that ends well for Lorette, who is said to have been saved in extremis, held back by her skirt during her fall.
What time of year is Malleval open?
Although the village can be visited all year round (each season brings a new facet), we’d be tempted to recommend a visit during the summer. The local tourist office organizes a free tour of the site every day at 11am, until September 1. We still recommend that you call directly to confirm.
Office du Tourisme du Pilat Rhodanien – Malleval
📍 Moulin de Virieu, 42410 Pélussin
📞 04 74 87 52 00
📅 Open during the summer every day from 10am to 1pm and from 3pm to 6pm.