Glacières de Sylans
Glacières de Sylans, Former ice production facility in Le Poizat-Lalleyriat, France.
Glacieres de Sylans are the ruins of an ice factory by the lakeside with stone buildings and storage facilities from the 19th century. The site reveals how the landscape was used for harvesting and storing natural ice.
The operation began in 1864 and shipped natural ice to major cities including Paris and Lyon, as well as to Algeria. Production stopped in 1917 when artificial refrigeration made the natural ice business no longer necessary.
The site reveals how people harvested and stored ice from the lake before mechanical refrigeration existed. Workers cut ice blocks in winter and stacked them in specially designed buildings to keep them through the year.
A marked trail guides visitors around the old buildings, with information signs explaining how ice was cut and processed. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the weather is pleasant and the paths are easy to walk.
The storage buildings used sawdust insulation to protect ice from melting, a simple but effective method. At peak times, 20 to 30 wagons loaded with ice left the site each day for distant markets.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Viaduc de Nantua
3.6 km
Lac de Sylans
761 m
Viaduc de Sylans
337 m
Église Saint-Michel de Nantua
3.7 km
Musée départemental d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l'Ain et du Haut-Jura
3.6 km
Viaduc des Neyrolles
2.4 km
Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Nantua
3.7 km
Viaduc de Charix
2.4 km
Viaduc des Glacières
2.4 km
Mémorial aux Déportés de l'Ain
4.4 km
Église Saint-Amant de Charix
3.7 km
Église Saint-Félix du Poizat
3.5 km
Église Saint-Blaise de Lalleyriat
4.5 km
Église Saint-Clair des Neyrolles
2.7 km
Palais de justice de Nantua
3.7 km
Building of the Savings Bank of Nantua
3.9 km
Town hall of Le Poizat
3.6 km
Grotte du Burlandier
3.9 km
War memorial of Le Poizat
3.5 km
War memorial of Nantua
3.9 km
Cascade du moulin de Charix
2.3 km
Orgue de tribune de l'église Saint-Michel de Nantua
3.7 km
War memorial of Les Neyrolles
2.5 km
Town hall of Les Neyrolles
2.6 km
Town hall of Charix
3.5 km
War memorial of Lalleyriat
4.6 km
War memorial of Charix
3.6 km
Town hall of Nantua
3.8 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes