Malafretaz offers several ways to explore: a Voie verte on a former railway line, circular routes through the landscapes of Bresse, water activities at La Plaine Tonique, and historical landmarks. When planning, it makes a difference whether you want to cover a route, choose a circular trail, or spend time by the water.
Explore La Traverse and the circular trails
The 14 km Voie verte La Traverse runs between Attignat and Jayat through Malafretaz. It follows the route of a former railway line and is reserved for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. As a named route, it differs from the circular trails, which are available in several lengths.
Around Malafretaz, a network of trails covers 200 km in total and comprises 21 interconnected circular routes. They are between 7 and 21 km long and take in the landscapes of Bresse and its local heritage. The stated distance provides a practical guide when choosing a route; check maps and trail markers locally.
Another option is the 25 km “St Etienne sur Reyssouze – Malafretaz” equestrian route. It is designed for riders and carriage drivers and is listed as open year-round. This makes it possible to distinguish the marked routes by their length and intended use, without assuming walking times or difficulty levels.
Water activities at La Plaine Tonique
La Plaine Tonique in Malafretaz combines swimming in the lake with the Carré Tonique aquatic centre. It has three swimming pools, two paddling pools, two slides and a water-play platform. The options range from swimming in the lake to using the various pools and water-play facilities.
Other activities include parasailing, electric surfing, rides on a towed inflatable ring and banana boat, canoeing and kayaking, and water skiing. Electric boats, pedal boats and catamarans are also available. Some activities may be seasonal; before your trip, check opening times and supervision requirements, as well as which activities are available during your travel dates.
La Plaine Tonique is accessible to wheelchair users both with assistance and independently. Listed facilities include an accessible entrance, adapted reception facilities, accessible toilets and a passenger drop-off point. This information can help with planning if you need particular access features or facilities.
Nature, history and heritage
Malafretaz is one of the municipalities included in the ZNIEFF Type 2 “Basse Vallée de la Reyssouze.” The ZNIEFF Type 1 “Île de Malafretaz” covers 37 ha. These two ZNIEFF areas add a nature-focused dimension to the trails and water activities.
The historic Moulin de la Bévière stood in Malafretaz on the Reyssouze. According to an account from December 2021, the mill was destroyed by the Germans in 1944 during the Battle of Montrevel-en-Bresse. The local history thus also includes an event from wartime, clearly distinct from today’s trails and leisure activities.
Malafretaz’s heritage also includes a confessional dating from 1800 and two stone holy-water fonts. One of the fonts contains the baptismal font. Along with the mill, these individual landmarks give the trip a cultural and historical focus that differs from a trip on the Voie verte or a day of water activities.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Trivier-De-Courtes, Lalleyriat, Lhuis, Vescours, Villebois, Attignat, Crozet, Châtillon-En-Michaille.
For the broader travel overview: Ain.
