Want to chill out? I tested for you a family trip around the Ain river and its famous pebble beaches.
Off to the swim!
Who says family says Organisation et programming : with a one-year-old baby and a 9-year-old granddaughter, it's not always easy to find areas of common interest, but if there is one area that appeals to young and old alike it's swimming ! So we leave the Lyon heat in search ofa small cool spot where to spend a great day with the family. Direction the Ain river!
We don't want to drive a lot, that's good because the beach that I was advised is located just 40 minutes from Lyon in the commune of Villieu-Loyes-Mollon. We stop at Mollon, behind the church. We opted for this place which is particularly accessible and which does not require a lot of walking before reaching the Ain river. This detail is important when traveling with baby and you have to be careful not to forget anything in the car!
Playground for children
We are pleasantly surprised, I who was expecting a place very popular with Lyonnais like so many others on the Ain, we easily manage to find space to feel comfortable with a perfect balance between areas of shadows and sunny areas. The Ain river is rather calm around here, the current is not strong which reassures us because swimming is not supervised. The level is low and it's a little less cool than usual, that's a good thing, baby can take a dip without risking catching a cold!
Equipped with his bucket and his watering can, he begins to play, amazed by his big sister's somersaults in the water. We start a ricochet contest, it amuses him all the more and the bursts of laughter mingle with the lapping of the water.
It's almost time to leave, we look carefully around us if we haven't left any waste and continue our journey.
Friendly break on the terrace
Hunger begins to be felt after all this energy expenditure. We are heading to a place that I have not yet had the opportunity to test: the essential in Blyès. As soon as we arrive, I feel despite the health protocol, great friendliness with a guinguette spirit that we really like. The place seems to be a regular meeting place for employees of the PIPA only a few kilometers away, but also for locals looking for a nice summer program.
We take a look at the menu and set our sights on the traditional butcher's cut / fries as well as a steak tartare accompanied by draft beers. The dishes are simple but delicious and we are quickly satisfied.
Walk between trees and river
We decide to do a small digestive stroll in the surroundings and set off for the beginnings of the interpretive trail: the Ain, the gemstone river that we already know but always take pleasure in rediscovering. We do not do it entirely but know that we will return, as often, over the seasons.
Summary of the day: we will come back to cool off in search of new spots, near waterfalls or crystal clear waters of the Albarine and we will follow the advice of Lyon City Crunch to prolong the experience.
