Coming to Printemps de Pérouges is the perfect opportunity to prolong the magic of the festival by visiting this part of southern Ain, just next to Lyon.
Take advantage of Perouges Spring Festival to explore the surroundings, very good idea! Before or after your concert, this sector in the heart of Ain has a lot to offer. The way to kill two birds with one stone! L'Tourist Office shares with you its good advice, good plans and good addresses to prolong the pleasure...
Must-see visits
The medieval city of Pérouges
He is the only “Most Beautiful Villages of France” of the Ain. What makes passers-by happy? Its narrow streets paved with pebbles, its imposing fortress church, its beautiful architecture and its gourmet sugar cake! This lively village, with passionate craftsmen, is absolutely unmissable. A quick hop is enough to enjoy this delicious timeless atmosphere. Changing with the seasons, the city has bewitched young and old alike for over 600 years.
Ambronay Abbey
This beautiful, almost thousand-year-old lady welcomes you to its walls for a moment away from the hustle and bustle. Freshness, light and silence accompany the visit of the cloister and the abbey. In complete freedom, all day long. A look at the agenda of the meeting center of Ambronay and you the thematic visit. Sensory, musical or investigation with the children, each to discover.
The pretty wine-growing villages
- Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey, the cousin of Pérouges cuts a fine figure with its half-timbered Renaissance facades. An astonishing mural fresco adorns the gable of a residence and roses dot the alleys in the warm season.
- Vaux-en-Bugey is the kind of secret and peaceful village. In its setting of vines, crossed by the Buizin stream, it can be explored thanks to a audio game. Appointment on the trail of a mysterious codex.
Both villages continue the historic wine-growing tradition with tasting cellars held by passionate producers.
The medieval city of Pérouges and the other villages can be visited with a guide all summer long. Theatrical, sensory or around a drink, the original visits to our pretty villages are to be booked as soon as possible. The fans of investigation games, riddle booklets and fun walks should find what they are looking for at the tourist office, in Pérouges or St-Sorlin.
Bonus: The balme caves
A superb cave between millennial stalactites and pools of crystal clear water. A free visit takes you in the footsteps of Mandrin the smuggler and bats.
Water points & bathing places
With a bit of luck, it will be hot when you come to the Printemps de Pérouges festival. As amazing as it is, in summer the waterfalls have no water in Bugey ! But rest assured, the tourist office shares you his tips for keeping cool.
Longeville lake
A stone's throw from the festival venue. the Longeville lake (Ambronay) will delight festival-goers in search of freshness. Here there is no swimming but a beautiful space where you can practice canoeing in complete serenity. Families will walk the path that surrounds it.
Leisure center and nautical club
On the other side of the Rhône, the Green Point has a lawn and picnic tables in store for you for a day at the water's edge. The program ? Sunbathing, free swimming (supervised in summer) or beach games. To complete the day on site, the instructors of the nautical club welcome you with a smile. The best between friends: a paddle session full of laughter. Families will choose the timeless pedalo or canoe.
Ain river and canoe
The river of Ain is very sensitive. With its changing moods, between dam releases and the vagaries of the weather, swimming is not easy. In addition, it is protective of its inhabitants, animals or plants. So the easiest way is to sail gently on its back. The canoe rental company the Eskimoe, very close to the festival, has even created an app just for her. There are OK corners for swimming or a picnic in the middle of nature. THE super plan to enjoy the freshness in complete relaxation.
Swimming is regulated in the department of Ain. For your information, see:
Simple ideas for walks
Sensitive Natural Areas
Our top tip for an easy family outing: the natural areas of Ain. At Serrière de Briord, the old dry bed of the Rhône stretches out its arms to you to walk between woods and marshes. If you want to identify the songs of the birds, the pretty drawings on the labels are there to help you. When history blends with nature, the Villebois Quarry Strong Men Trail should please you. Along bucolic paths, your steps lead you on the trail of a life and a profession of yesteryear.
Towpath and arboretum
In the past, the banks of St-Vulbas were teeming with activity. Today, if the world is gone, it is to offer the banks of the Rhône to the quiet steps of walkers. On foot, by bike, on a scooter, everyone has their own way of discovering the path to the chapel of Marcillieux. Families or lovers will stroll along the path to the arboretum, along a charming stream.
The Squirrel Trail
To spend an hour in the shade of the wood, nothing better than this adorable path. Designed for families, children will have the mascot of the place, a little squirrel, as a walking companion. To be found drawn on the spaces for games and fun activities. Enough to spend time together in the coolness of the trees.
The blue lake walk
It is quite possible that the waters of this pond are enchanted… Otherwise how to explain this color ranging from turquoise to emerald? To see this with your own eyes, just borrow the Gardon path, along the stream. The brave will then take the direction of the ruins of the castle of St-Germain. *swimming and nautical activities prohibited
Bonus: Greenway and Viarhôna
A bike ride along the banks of the Rhône puts the wind in your hair. Walk, the greenway from the Lagnieu park continues along the bike path of the Viarhona. To start the holidays in Ain at the Pérouges festival and finish them on the Côte d'Azur!
Other ideas for other weekends?
And since you came for the Spring Festival (from Pérouges), why not stay for the summer ? With all the beautiful addresses shared by the tourist office, a single weekend will not be enough. Now that you know the route, it would be our pleasure to welcome you for another occasion in Ain. Romantic getaway, holidays in family not far from home, active weekend and giggles with friends … All you have to do is choose or ask for more information at the tourist office.
