Camping and Hiking at Lake Monteynard: Isère’s Most Stunning Spot

Camping at the foot of the Vercors for a breath of fresh air

I’d like to take you to the Diois region in the lower Dauphiné, near Lac de Monteynard.

Well, specifically, I’m taking you to the southern part of the Diois, in the southern Vercors (more precisely, the Trièves area). It’s an absolutely beautiful mountain range overall, packed with thousands of hiking trails, skiing, caves to explore, mushroom foraging, rock climbing, cycling, you name it.

I didn’t discover the area around Lac de Monteynard until August 2016. Back then, I wasn’t exactly a camping or hiking enthusiast, but you know how it is, it grows on you, doesn't it? Especially once you figure out how to fold your tent in under 30 minutes! Ultimately, you realize that camping offers a kind of freedom that hotels struggle to match, regardless of the extra comfort they provide.

So, this was one of my first times camping. The idea came from a friend who was already well-versed in what I called "wandering" at the time. I was about to discover this incredible spot right by the water, nestled near the mountains and sheltered from the sweltering heat of the valley floor. Grenoble, located 30km to the north, is a furnace in the summer. Treffort and its surroundings provided the breath of fresh air that finally cooled my sweaty skin. These days, I absolutely love a good bivouac.

Things to do around Lac de Monteynard

While many people pack themselves onto the beaches of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic, I’ve always preferred the mountains. This used to shock my childhood friends, who always spent their summer vacations where the water is salty and the sand gets into every pore of your skin. Yes, I love the mountains because I love the greenery and the hiking. But I realized that Lac de Monteynard offered me something more: a place where I could swim and go boating! The Camping d'Herbelon, where I stayed with my friend, was right on the water, and I enjoyed the peace and quiet of a destination that was still off the beaten path.

Château d'Herbelon

Even if this spot is mostly known to locals, it doesn't lack points of interest: the beautiful Château d'Herbelon and its two towers by the lake. It was built in 1603 by François de Sarrazin just after the Wars of Religion between Protestants and Catholics, which shook France during the Renaissance. You can eat there, and if you want to see the interior, which has since been renovated, you'll need to stay the night. A hotel-restaurant manages and maintains the building, which has saved it from falling into ruin. In fact, before it was bought by new owners, the castle was slated to be torn down in the 60s because it was too dilapidated. As for their restaurant, the food is very good and the service is pleasant. However, as you might have guessed, I didn't get to test out the beds.

There is also a church in Treffort, though I suppose that’s true for most French villages. Still, it’s quite beautiful and the village square is lovely.

The Petit Train de la Mure

I assume you'll have a car, as it’s really the best way to get to Treffort and its beach. If you do have a vehicle, I highly recommend driving to La Mure (about 40 kilometers to the east) to check out the Petit Train de la Mure. This tourist railway, often touted as the most beautiful in the Alps, was closed for a long time for renovations. The line is now open again on certain sections starting from La Mure. It’s definitely worth the detour! From the train’s winding route, you get some great views of the lake.

Enjoying the great outdoors

You can also go tree-top climbing in Trièves, go fishing, and of course, enjoy countless hiking or cycling trails. But what I perhaps enjoyed the most were the two Himalayan footbridges at Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet: the Drac bridge and the Ebron bridge. They are perched high above the lake and are sure to leave hikers breathless. Essentially, they allow you to cross the two canyons formed by the Drac and Ebron tributaries.

There are also plenty of water activities like windsurfing, water-skiing, or simply swimming.

I 100% recommend visiting this place. Especially if you live nearby, in Lyon or Grenoble!