Lac du Val

Lac du Val is a small lake in the commune of Doucier, in France's Jura department, sitting along the course of the Hérisson river at the heart of the area known as the Pays des Lacs, the "Land of Lakes." Depending on depth, the water shifts between deep blue and turquoise, and tree-lined shores reach almost to the water's edge.

Where is Lac du Val?

The lake lies right next to Doucier, a small village in the Jura, not far from the better-known Lac de Chalain. The Hérisson river flows through Lac du Val on its way to the smaller, privately owned Lac de Chambly, before joining the river Ain a few kilometres further downstream. Its coordinates sit at roughly 46.626°N, 5.814°E.

How did the lake form?

Lac du Val owes its existence to centuries of erosion by the Hérisson, which cut its valley through the limestone plateau of the Jura and, in doing so, shaped the whole chain of lakes and waterfalls that defines this part of the region. A small island splits part of the water surface, and the shoreline is broken up by numerous small inlets and coves.

What can you do around the lake?

The area around Lac du Val is one of the more popular hiking destinations in the region. The "Tour des lacs" loop (Boucle 12) passes this way, linking several of the Pays des Lacs' lakes, while longer multi-day itineraries cover as many as eight lakes and seven waterfalls across roughly 54 kilometres of marked trails. Routes right around the lake range from a short after-lunch stroll to longer walks continuing toward the Cascades du Hérisson.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A short distance away, within the Hérisson valley, the Parc Héria wildlife park keeps aurochs (a bred-back version of the extinct wild cattle), bison and Highland cattle — a good extra stop for families exploring the area. Close by, the Cascades du Hérisson trail follows seven waterfalls over less than 4 kilometres, with a combined drop of more than 250 metres.

How do you get to Lac du Val?

Doucier, reachable via the D39 road, is the most convenient starting point. From there, marked trails lead both to the lake itself and onward to the Hérisson waterfalls. The Pays des Lacs draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, and the Hérisson valley alone sees around 300,000 visitors during the season.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn suit longer walks best, with milder temperatures and the woods around the lake at their most colourful. In summer, the peak season, the area gets busy with visitors, especially at weekends, so an early morning start is worth planning for.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Lac du Val? In the commune of Doucier, in France's Jura department, close to Lac de Chalain.

Which river flows through the lake? The Hérisson, the same river that later forms the well-known waterfalls before joining the Ain.

Can you hike around the lake? Yes — both short walking routes and longer loops connecting nearby lakes, such as the Boucle 12 "Tour des lacs," pass by Lac du Val.

What's worth visiting nearby? The Parc Héria wildlife park with its aurochs and bison, and the Cascades du Hérisson, a chain of seven waterfalls in the neighbouring valley.