Discover Ain through its natural landscapes: 40 areas designated as Espaces naturels sensibles (ENS) cover a total of more than 15,500 hectares. This figure may change as areas are added or reclassified. The landscapes range from plains and wetlands to mountains, dry grasslands, high-altitude forests and caves. A wide variety of natural environments can therefore be found side by side, without limiting the experience to a single type of landscape.

Nature’s diversity, from plains to higher elevations

The Dombes is characterised by around 1,100 ponds and provides a habitat for a diverse range of animal and plant life. The Gorges de l’Oignin offer a different kind of landscape: this 422-hectare Espaces Naturels Sensibles comprises a preserved mosaic of habitats that supports exceptional biodiversity. The stated area refers to the designated site and may change as a result of administrative changes.

The Grotte et reculée de Corveissiat also has several protection designations: it is a classified site, forms part of Natura 2000 and is protected as a biotope. The Haute Vallée de l’Ain is shaped in part by the Cize-Bolozon Viaduct, the loop of the Ain and viewpoints such as the Belvédère des Roches and Rochers de Jarbonnet. These names offer concrete reference points if you want to focus your discoveries on landscapes, viewpoints or distinctive structures.

A tourist map and an activities calendar for the ENS, updated annually, can help you find your way around. If you have a particular place or date in mind, consult the latest edition when planning.

Explore the gorges and mountain landscapes

The Haute Vallée de l’Ain offers a wide range of activities: fishing, swimming, climbing, paragliding and canoeing and kayaking, as well as hiking, mountain biking, rowing, horse riding, canyoning and caving. At the Gorges de l’Oignin, activities include fishing, hiking, mountain biking and golf. If you are planning a particular activity, check local conditions beforehand.

The hiking landscapes also change with the seasons: they include the wildflower meadows of the Plateau de Retord, the lakes of Haut-Bugey, the Bugey ridges and the Jura mountains in winter. Mountain guides can accompany visitors on the trails and help them spot wildlife and features of the landscape. The availability of individual providers varies.

In the mountain areas of Ain, winter activities include cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding and skating on frozen lakes; snow and operating conditions vary. Monts Jura adds seasonal activities such as summer tobogganing, mountain biking, golf, paragliding, a large zip line and hiking in the Haute Chaîne du Jura nature reserve. These activities may be seasonal and depend on the relevant operators.

The rivers offer another way to experience the département: the Saône and Rhône form its boundaries, while the River Ain runs through it. The waterways offer opportunities to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike. The northern section of the ViaRhôna is described as having little elevation gain; it includes both protected sections and roads shared with other traffic. Check the current route when planning your trip.

Cultural history and flavours of Ain

The Royal Monastery of Brou is a work of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. Margaret of Austria commissioned it in the 16th century in memory of her husband. Its construction period, patron and dedication together tell the story of the monument’s origins. The Château des Allymes, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into seven centuries of history associated with the conflicts between Dauphiné and Savoy.

Regional specialities also reveal the different sides of Ain. Bresse poultry is produced according to strict traditional rearing requirements; Bresse chicken is raised for 120 days. The local cuisine also includes quenelle with Nantua sauce, Galette de Pérouges, Comté, Bleu de Gex, Morbier and wines from Bugey. This selection brings together poultry, cheese, wine and regional dishes, without suggesting that a single flavour represents the whole département.

When planning your trip, you can start by considering what interests you most: nature areas and hiking landscapes, winter activities, architectural history or regional cuisine. The tourist map and the ENS activities calendar provide a practical guide. Then find a hotel in Ain that suits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Divonne-Les-Bains, Prévessin-Moëns, Nantua, Cerdon, Viriat, Thoiry, Saint-Maurice-De-Beynost, Saint-Genis-Pouilly, Replonges, Oyonnax, Monthieux, Massieux, Ferney-Voltaire, Échenevex, Crozet, Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne, Bourg-En-Bresse, Bellegarde-Sur-Valserine, Asnières, Arbigny, Aranc, Ardon, Gex, Cormaranche-En-Bugey, Lélex, Pont-D’ain, Vonnas, Chanay, Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois, Meximieux, Segny, Hauteville-Lompnes, Mionnay, Chavannes-Sur-Suran, Belley, Pont-De-Vaux, Giron, Lalleyriat, Châtillon-En-Michaille, La Boisse, Versonnex, Trévoux, Montagnat, Mijoux, Montmerle-Sur-Saône, Treffort-Cuisiat, Béligneux, Chézery-Forens, Ars-Sur-Formans, Miribel, Villebois, Maillat, Relevant, Artemare, Château-Gaillard, Villars-Les-Dombes, Saint-Vulbas, Échallon, Saint-Didier-De-Formans, Montrevel-En-Bresse, Saint-Jean-Le-Vieux, Dagneux, Massignieu-De-Rives, Péron, Gorrevod, Reyrieux, Neyron, Civrieux, Lagnieu, Jujurieux, Ambronay, Messimy-Sur-Saône, Culoz, Saint-Rambert-En-Bugey, Pérouges, Bellignat, Priay, Beynost, Hotonnes, Chevillard, Oncieu, Neuville-Sur-Ain, Confrançon, Sermoyer, Servignat, Loyettes, Ruffieu, Thoissey, Jasseron, Buellas, Hautecourt-Romanèche, Saint-Alban, Vongnes, Bohas-Meyriat-Rignat, Saint-Bernard, Montréal-La-Cluse, Chaneins, Jayat, Collonges, Coligny, Malafretaz, Bâgé-La-Ville, Thil, Saint-Nizier-Le-Bouchoux, Poncin, Saint-Trivier-De-Courtes, Lhuis, Champagne-En-Valromey, Champfromier, Biziat, Peyrieu, Francheleins, Montluel, Curciat-Dongalon, Châtillon-la-Palud, Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, Misérieux, Villieu-Loyes-Mollon, Confort, Sainte-Julie, Saint-Étienne-sur-Reyssouze, Sainte-Euphémie, Cleyzieu, Chanoz-Châtenay, Ornex, Blyes, Saint-Didier-sur-Chalaronne, Journans, Jassans-Riottier, Ambérieu-en-Bugey, Chazey-sur-Ain, Grilly, Saint-André-de-Corcy, Simandre-sur-Suran, Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône, Brégnier-Cordon, Ramasse, Valeins, Ambérieux-en-Dombes, Fareins, Évosges, Vescours, Mogneneins, Druillat, Niévroz, Servas, Attignat, Corbonod, Marchamp, Mantenay-Montlin, Pirajoux, Tossiat, Saint-Bois, Dompierre-sur-Chalaronne, Bény, Cessy, Lompnieu, Le Grand-Abergement, Tramoyes, Samognat, Bourg-Saint-Christophe, Cormoranche-sur-Saône.

For the broader travel overview: Rhône-Alpes.