Dry stone walls, historic building styles and paths with different destinations give Dullin a distinctive character. Historic buildings stand in the village center; hikes lead, among other places, to a viewpoint or along a stream. The village can be explored through its architecture and individual trails.
Dry stone and architectural history in Dullin
Dullin has numerous dry stone buildings. Dry stone walls mark property boundaries and are therefore part of the village’s layout as well as individual structures. Houses feature stone lintels, small openings, stone sinks, shingle roofs and accolade-shaped features. These details tell of different building styles, without any one building having to stand as a representative example.
Some barns and houses date largely from the late 18th century. During renovations, their stone walls were brought to prominence. The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste stands in the center of the village and is listed as a historic monument. The lower part of its bell tower may date from the 14th or 15th century. The Chapelle Saint-Joseph is among the remains of what is thought to be the oldest still-recognizable church in Dullin.
Bridges are also part of the village’s architectural history. The Pont de Téloncin is very old and was recently restored. Another dry stone bridge, rescued and partially rebuilt, spans the Ruisseau du Rondelet and has been incorporated into the Sentier du Follaton hiking trail. The two bridges can thus be seen as different examples of local structures.
Hiking trails with different highlights
La vache et le Follaton is designated as an easy hiking trail. The loop is 4.6 kilometers long and takes two and a half hours. It passes through the village, by the washhouse and farms, and continues to the Belvédère du Grand Bec viewpoint. Route details may change; check them again before setting out.
La boucle du Follaton offers different highlights: it runs along the Ruisseau du Rondelet and includes a short detour to its waterfall. From the Banc des Dames, you can see across the Guiers valley. When comparing the trails, you can focus on the specific destinations mentioned: the Grand Bec viewpoint on one, and the stream, waterfall detour and valley view on the other.
The Follaton is also a figure from local folklore. People once believed that this legendary creature protected residents and their homes. On the return leg of the La vache et le Follaton hike, there is a cooperative shop where you can sample cheese made from the milk of the cows you encountered along the way. The tasting is therefore specifically linked to this trail.
Village center, landscape and activities
From the village center, you can look out over the lake valley, the Montagne de l’Épine and the Chartreuse. Lac d’Aiguebelette lies three kilometers away, at the foot of the Montagne de l’Épine. Motorboats are prohibited on the lake—a detail that may be relevant when choosing between hiking destinations in the village and a trip to the lake.
Children can try the Parcours ludique du village de Dullin, a fun orienteering course in the village center. The challenge is to find ten hidden checkpoints, each with a question. Dullin also has a large play area with a course and a bike park. These options provide activities in their own right, alongside the hiking trails.
Discover more destinations: Gilly-sur-Isère, Albiez Montrond, Verrens-Arvey, Notre-Dame-Du-Pré, Bozel, La Côte-D'aime, Myans, Saint-Pierre-D'entremont.
For the regional travel overview: Savoie.
