Visit the Ain

Ambronay and the Baroque art festival

Ambronay and the Baroque Festival

You don't have to be big to make a name for yourself. Ambronay, a small village of 2,600 souls near Ambérieu-en-Bugey in the Ain department, is one of the world capitals of Baroque music. For 40 years now, the church has resounded every late summer with the finest music of theBaroque age .
Pérouges, a medieval fortress

Pérouges, medieval city

Perched above the small City of Meximieux, Pérouges dominates the Ain plain to the south and the Dombes to the north. This location has made it a fortress where people have sought refuge since the dawn of time. Remains attest to life in the Chalcolithic period (around 2500 to 1800 BC). Classed as one of France's most beautiful villages, Pérouges is a must-see.
One of Europe's finest bird collections

Bird Park

Young and old, you're going to love it! 35 hectares in the heart of the Dombes region in the Ain, where over 3,000 birds from every continent frolic, nest and sing! The Villars-les-Dombes bird park is one of the biggest in Europe, and soon to be the biggest in the world... It boasts over 300 species spread over 26 sites.

A little paradise east of Bugey

The Retord plateau

The Retord Plateau is a little paradise perched in the Haut-Valromey, east of the Bugey region, just an hour from Lyon, Geneva or Chambéry. Its proximity to large conurbations has not, however, altered the wild side of this beautiful natural setting.
Pays de Gex, Land of Mountains

Pays de Gex

Between the Jura mountains and Switzerland, Pays de Gex lies in the north-east of the Ain département. A land of mountains, this territory nevertheless retains a strong identity, with the beautiful Albarine river to the west and the Swiss border to the east, branded by Fort l'écluse and the presence of CERN, one of the world's most prestigious scientific laboratories.
Bugey, a very natural destination!

Le Bugey

Do you love nature? Then don't hesitate. Bugey awaits you. From the banks of the Rhône to the plateaus of Retord and Valromey, the Bugey has a thousand wonderful surprises in store for you. Whether you're a hiker, a walker, a cyclist, a skier, a fisherman or simply a swimmer, the beauty, diversity and treasures of nature in the Bugey are sure to enchant you.

A paradise for riders and hikers

The Dombes of a thousand ponds

Located east of Lyon, the Dombes is a vast plateau dotted with ponds. Nicknamed the Dombes of a thousand ponds, this region of the Ain is a paradise for birds. Over one hundred and thirty species nest here before flying off to other lands. Many birdwatchers come to the foot of the ponds to spy on great crested grebes, whiskered terns and turdoid warblers.
La Bresse, a gourmet destination!

La Bresse Bocage country

Explore Bresse from both sides. On the plains, livestock farming is a thousand-year-old tradition. Many farms produce Bresse poultry, the only poultry in Europe to benefit from the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The farmhouses are typical: made of brick and earth, they are often topped by a "Saracen" chimney. Keep your eyes peeled. You'll also see the occasional rounded dovecote, the remains of a powerful seigneury.
Who hasn't heard of the Grand Colombier?

The Grand Colombier pass

This mountain, which rises like a gendarme's hat at the foot of Artemare in the Bugey Est area of theAin département, is a cyclist's bête noire. With a maximum gradient of 14%, the Grand Colombier massif has become legendary.

Ain Gorges circuit

Gorges de l'Ain

The Gorges de l'Ain, a natural gem in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a must-see destination for families, couples, outdoor sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. Explore the Hiking trails that wind along the steep cliffs and discover breathtaking views of the river and surrounding landscapes.