The Ain is a multi-faceted department that combines nature, heritage and gastronomy. Whether you’re passionate about history, nature or local produce, the Ain will win you over.
Pays de Gex is part of the Ain département. Now that you’ve explored it, it’s time to discover the other nuggets it has to offer. Ready for an adventure?
The natural treasures of the Ain
The Ain offers a wide variety of landscapes, from the mountains of the Jura to the plains of the Bresse, including the shores of Lake Nantua and the Gorges de l’Ain, a spectacular natural site. The region is ideal for outdoor activities: hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing and even caving in the many caves dotted around the département.
The Pertes de la Valserine in Valserhône is also worth a visit. This unique site, accessible by a path winding through dense forest, allows you to watch the water disappear into the cracks in the limestone before re-emerging further down the valley, offering a breathtaking spectacle.
Don’t end your discovery of the department’s natural treasures without making a diversion to the Plateau de Retord. A veritable jewel to be explored in any season, this emblematic site will win you over with the diversity of its landscapes and the wealth of its activities.
In winter, it is transformed into a vast Nordic area, renowned for its 150 km of cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing itineraries, Nordic ski courses and dog-sled rides. When the weather’s fine, it’s time to enjoy the lush green pastures, go hiking, mountain biking, trail riding and discover the local flora and fauna.
A rich historical heritage
The Ain also has a rich historical heritage, with sites such as the Royal Monastery of Brou, a Gothic masterpiece that attracts many visitors every year.
A number of museums are also worth a visit, including the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l’Ain. Located in Nantua, it provides a moving account of the history of the maquisards and local people who played a key role in the Second World War. In Trévoux, the Maison d’Izieu, a memorial dedicated to the Jewish children deported in 1944, offers a poignant and essential place of remembrance.
The authentic villages of the Ain also invite you to take a trip back in time. Pérouges, one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, is a remarkably well-preserved medieval town. Strolling along its cobbled streets lined with stone houses, discovering its fortified church and tasting its famous galette de Pérouges are all must-dos in the region.
Gastronomy in the Ain
The Ain is a veritable reservoir of culinary specialities. You’ll discover local produce such as Bresse chicken, renowned for its quality, and Bresse Bleu® cheese. The wines of the Ain, particularly the Bugey vineyards, are also worth tasting, with unique grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
