Pet Friendly
Loop of about 350km from Lyon, through Dombes, Revermont, Jura, and Bugey. Plan the full day. Winding roads, lake, charming villages and viewpoints line the route.
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After crossing the Dombes, you will chain valley and passes all day! The halfway point is towards Lake Nantua, ideal for a picnic and a siesta!
DOMBES and HAUT-BUGEY
The first stage will take you from Lyon to Priay (on the banks of the Ain), through the Dombes. You will cross the famous ponds, and some typical villages on roads in good condition, but not very fast.
You will then go up the Suran valley to the Jura, a valley that you will leave before Montfleur to investigate on the D56, a small narrow road which will take you over a small pass before descending to Valfin-sur-Valouse then Chemilla.
A junction via the D109, very rolling and in good condition, will take you to Thoirette on the banks of the Ain. You will descend along the left bank (D91) to Serrièr-sur-Ain, on a very narrow (and bumpy) road where caution is required. Many interesting points of view offer a panorama of any beauty on the high valley of Ain. Possibility of going through the right bank.
Third stage from Serrière-sur-Ain: you will branch off onto the D979 which will take you to the edge of Lake Nantua, via the magnificent (very rolling) road of the Col de Berthiand. You will continue down the Cerdon (rolling, but caution is required), and continue to Jujurieux (or Saint-Jean-Le-Vieux).
This stage will continue in the direction of Corlier, on a winding and narrow road in the first kilometers, before opening up and offering a coating of great beauty with superb bends.
ALBARINE and HEART BUGEY
In Corlier, on leaving the village, you will take the road to Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, very narrow, with random surfaces, but in a magnificent landscape.
Arrived at Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, we follow the Albarine valley to Tenay via a national road, then after Tenay, we take the climb towards Ordonnaz and Innimond via the D94 (it climbs, it turns, c is narrow, and it's bumpy, but how beautiful!). Mandatory stop at the XNUMXth century church in Innimond to enjoy the calm and the panorama of the Alps. Also the Col de Perthuis belvedere, indicated by green signs in the village. Breathtaking view.
Last stage, return to Lyon, with the descent from Bugey to the banks of the Rhône, via Lhuis. Then head for the "roundabout of the Lagnieu bridge". Via the D19 for a direct route. Either, if you want to prolong the pleasure by taking the portion walking between the vines, from Lhuis to Montagnieu (D79). Just cross the Plaine de l'Ain, and join the D1084 (national road) which will take you to Lyon. Least interesting part (after Lagnieu) of the course. And if it's not too late, take a short detour to the medieval town of Pérouges, before taking the A42 again at Meximieux, towards Lyon.
GOOD TO KNOW
Possibility of cutting to make it shorter (return to Lyon via Ambérieu-en-Bugey for example). Possibility of taking the motorway at several points to return to Lyon more quickly. Think about refueling (very few stations between Priay and Nurieux (about 80km). Few stations in the heart of Bugey as well (Intermarché de Briord or Carrefour Lagnieu)
Download the route for your GPS here
Visualize the plot here
DOMBES and HAUT-BUGEY
The first stage will take you from Lyon to Priay (on the banks of the Ain), through the Dombes. You will cross the famous ponds, and some typical villages on roads in good condition, but not very fast.
You will then go up the Suran valley to the Jura, a valley that you will leave before Montfleur to investigate on the D56, a small narrow road which will take you over a small pass before descending to Valfin-sur-Valouse then Chemilla.
A junction via the D109, very rolling and in good condition, will take you to Thoirette on the banks of the Ain. You will descend along the left bank (D91) to Serrièr-sur-Ain, on a very narrow (and bumpy) road where caution is required. Many interesting points of view offer a panorama of any beauty on the high valley of Ain. Possibility of going through the right bank.
Third stage from Serrière-sur-Ain: you will branch off onto the D979 which will take you to the edge of Lake Nantua, via the magnificent (very rolling) road of the Col de Berthiand. You will continue down the Cerdon (rolling, but caution is required), and continue to Jujurieux (or Saint-Jean-Le-Vieux).
This stage will continue in the direction of Corlier, on a winding and narrow road in the first kilometers, before opening up and offering a coating of great beauty with superb bends.
ALBARINE and HEART BUGEY
In Corlier, on leaving the village, you will take the road to Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, very narrow, with random surfaces, but in a magnificent landscape.
Arrived at Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, we follow the Albarine valley to Tenay via a national road, then after Tenay, we take the climb towards Ordonnaz and Innimond via the D94 (it climbs, it turns, c is narrow, and it's bumpy, but how beautiful!). Mandatory stop at the XNUMXth century church in Innimond to enjoy the calm and the panorama of the Alps. Also the Col de Perthuis belvedere, indicated by green signs in the village. Breathtaking view.
Last stage, return to Lyon, with the descent from Bugey to the banks of the Rhône, via Lhuis. Then head for the "roundabout of the Lagnieu bridge". Via the D19 for a direct route. Either, if you want to prolong the pleasure by taking the portion walking between the vines, from Lhuis to Montagnieu (D79). Just cross the Plaine de l'Ain, and join the D1084 (national road) which will take you to Lyon. Least interesting part (after Lagnieu) of the course. And if it's not too late, take a short detour to the medieval town of Pérouges, before taking the A42 again at Meximieux, towards Lyon.
GOOD TO KNOW
Possibility of cutting to make it shorter (return to Lyon via Ambérieu-en-Bugey for example). Possibility of taking the motorway at several points to return to Lyon more quickly. Think about refueling (very few stations between Priay and Nurieux (about 80km). Few stations in the heart of Bugey as well (Intermarché de Briord or Carrefour Lagnieu)
Download the route for your GPS here
Visualize the plot here
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In case of rain
Do not panic ! Here are all our sheltered activities.
On the way back
To bring back a souvenir or something to treat yourself, stock up on local products from Pérouges in Bugey.
