Camping in one of the four countries of the Ain

Paysage de l'Ain © iStock

 

Composed of several cultural and historical territories, of which the Savoyard Bresse, the Dombes, the Bugey and the Pays de Gex are the main ones, the Ain can be proud of its natural heritage made up of mountainous reliefs, forests, vineyards, ponds and lakes, valleys and cliffs, which are also a delight for nature lovers. A wealth of architecture with charming villages, fortified houses and typical Saracen chimneys found on the roofs of farms confirm the generosity of its heritage. What reassures the campers who will certainly find here what they came for.

Campsites in the Ain

More than 60 campsites in the Ain will welcome you during your future holidays in order to discover, in the best conditions, this department full of preserved and varied treasures. The Plaine Tonique campsite **** located in Montrevel-en-Bresse offers a stay in the middle of nature and with your feet in the water thanks to its lake and beach as well as its aquatic area with a covered and heated pool. The La Grange du Pin *** campsite in Val-Revermont is quiet and shady, in the middle of nature and overlooking a lake. It also has spacious pitches and recent bungalows. The campsite Domaine de la Dombes **** in Saint-Paul-de-Varax has direct access to the beach, 30 hectares of greenery and a beautiful pond. You will be accommodated in comfortable mobile homes and enjoy many daytime activities.

 

Direct access to the lake at the campsite© LA PLAINE TONIQUE (Montrevel-en-Bresse - 01)

A heritage to discover during your camping holidays in the Ain

Haut Jura Regional Nature Park

The Haut Jura Regional Nature Park covers an area of 165,000 hectares in three departments. In the Ain, there is the Faucille pass, which owes its name to its sickle-shaped silhouette and culminates at 1320 metres, the Fort l'Écluse site located in a classified area of 1900 hectares, and the Monts Jura resort, which offers the largest skiable area in the Jura massif and is the ideal destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities.

Pérouges, a medieval city of absolute charm

Overlooking the Ain plain, the town of Pérouges, located in the south of the Dombes, is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its pebble and brick walls, its atypical and rounded shape, its 15th century church and its corbelled houses have made the reputation of the village where several films have been shot. Finally, the Maison des Princes, which houses the Musée du Vieux Pérouges, is worth seeing, as well as its garden, which was called Hortulus at the time and which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area from its tower. Every year in spring, the village of Pérouges organises a big medieval festival as well as a music festival, a great opportunity to travel back in time!

Village of Pérouges© iStock

The Royal Monastery of Brou, a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic art

Located in Bourg-en-Bresse, the prefecture of the Ain department, which houses old timber-framed houses from the 15th and 16th centuries in its historic centre, the Royal Monastery of Brou has become the town's emblem. It first attracts visitors with its lacy stone facades and then seduces them with the love story that led to its construction. It is the story of the Duchess of Savoy, Margaret of Austria, who had the monastery built in memory of her husband who died in a hunting accident. Its church, which contains the magnificent tomb of Philibert II of Savoy, is topped by a roof of polychrome and glazed tiles. The chapel of Marguerite of Austria, in which the stone lacework is found, is also remarkable. The two sets of wooden stalls and stone rood screen and the stained glass windows in the choir are magnificent. In the three cloisters is the municipal museum, which houses paintings from the 15th to the 20th century, earthenware, religious sculptures and Renaissance furniture.

 

Brou Monastery in Bourg-en-Bresse© iStock

The Bugey and its rich and varied landscapes

Ideal destination for lovers of outdoor activities and sports, Bugey is composed of Haut-Bugey and Bas-Bugey and will make you discover, along its footpaths, an important natural and built heritage, a wild and preserved nature with the forests of Haut-Bugey, the Albarine gorges, or the picturesque village of Cerdon. At the top of the Bugey, the Grand Colombier site reaches a height of 1535 metres and is accessible by a footpath. At the top, a breathtaking panorama awaits you with a view of the Rhone valley, the Alps, the Mont Blanc massif and the lakes of Geneva, Annecy and Bourget. Considered one of the most difficult passes, it is a real challenge for cyclists. Note that it is closed in winter. Located in the Haut-Bugey, the lake of Nantua, of glacial origin, is a vast expanse of water of more than 140 hectares, where you can swim (supervised in summer) but also pedal and sail. The town of Nantua, which is home to the lake of the same name, was founded in the 7th century and its church of Saint-Michel, listed as a historical monument, is the last vestige of the former Benedictine abbey. Famous for its sauce, which accompanies quenelles, the town is particularly attractive. Surrounded by fir trees and spruces and classified as a natural site, Lake Genin is nicknamed the little Canada of the Haut-Bugey thanks to its landscapes that are reminiscent of Canada. With a surface area of 8 hectares and located at an altitude of 830 metres, it attracts hikers, fishermen and even swimmers in summer.

Lake Genin, known as "Little Canada" © iStock

The Parc des Oiseaux, the largest bird park in France

For more than 40 years, the Bird Park has been offering visitors a real world tour thanks to its 3500 birds. It is indeed one of the largest collections of birds in Europe. Located in the heart of the Dombes region with its thousand ponds, in Villars-les-Dombes, in a 35-hectare nature reserve and around a pond lined with vegetation, you can observe 300 species from all continents. It is with respect for the environment and with a real policy of raising awareness and defending biodiversity that the birds live here in an environment that is in keeping with their native surroundings. Bird shows in flight, activities and a guided tour in a small train are offered around the large pond. The park is closed from November to March.

the Parc des Oiseaux in Villars-les-Dombes© iStock