Nature, winter sports and stonework reveal different sides of Hauteville-Lompnes: at the Marais de Vaux, a 900-metre educational trail follows a raised boardwalk, while Terre Ronde offers alpine skiing and other snow activities. Local history and contemporary art complete the picture. When planning your trip, you can choose between landscapes, culture and specific winter activities.
Landscape between plateau and wetland
Hauteville-Lompnes lies on the slope of a limestone plateau at an altitude of 800 to 1,200 metres. Its dry, sunny mountain climate has been recognised as a “climatic resort” since the 1920s for its beneficial qualities. The limestone, karst-like ground allows water to drain quickly, reducing prolonged dampness and fog. The Albarine flows through the commune from north to south. Forests cover almost half of the commune; fir trees make up about 80 percent of its woodland.
The 132-hectare Marais de Vaux wetland lies partly in Hauteville-Lompnes and partly in Cormaranche-en-Bugey. Nearly 160 plant species have been recorded there, including carnivorous plants and orchids. A 900-metre raised boardwalk serves as an educational trail and is open to the public year-round. This brings different aspects of nature into focus: a clearly defined trail through the wetland, and forests that cover a large part of the commune.
Local history, art and limestone
The Notre-Dame church in Hauteville is believed to date from 1137; the year 1642 on its portal suggests it was partly rebuilt. The Saint-Pierre chapel in Lompnes appears to have been a daughter chapel of the church in Hauteville and was restored in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Notre-Dame de Mazières chapel was restored between 1878 and 1896 and houses a pilgrimage spring. These sites bring together different historical periods, though their respective construction and restoration histories are not the same.
The history of healthcare facilities is also part of the area’s story. Hauteville-Lompnes came into being on 23 August 1900 with the establishment of the first healthcare facility by Félix Mangini. In 1920, the Château d’Angeville in Lompnès was converted into a sanatorium with 156 beds for women without means. These two dates offer a concrete insight into the early development of these facilities.
Since 1971, the Centre d’Art Contemporain de Lacoux has presented solo and group exhibitions of contemporary art. The Pierre d’Hauteville offers a different cultural perspective: this white, slightly amber-coloured limestone has a fine texture and is suitable for carving, sculpting and sawing. Since 2002, it has been officially registered as a local stone brand with the French National Institute of Industrial Property. Art and stone thus appeal to different interests: exhibitions on one hand, and material and sculpture on the other.
Winter sports and other activities
The Terre Ronde alpine ski area has ten slopes for alpine skiing and snowboarding, four drag lifts and a snowpark. The site also has a 52-metre tubing run with two banked turns, designated children’s sledging areas and a snowshoe trail with views of the Plateau d’Hauteville. The options vary by activity: slopes, tubing and sledging are available alongside a snowshoe trail. This makes it easier to choose the focus of a winter’s day, rather than treating the different activities as the same experience.
Fishing at the Plan d’eau des Lésines pond is possible from a boat or with a float tube. For local food, the Chèvrerie La Ramaz in the hamlet of La Bertinière on the Plateau d’Hauteville offers a selection of its own goat cheeses. If you are considering a visit, check current visitor arrangements in advance.
Planning your journey and stay
Regular bus service on route 140 connects Tenay railway station with Hauteville-Lompnes. Check the route timetable for your travel date. When planning, it is worth deciding on your priorities: Terre Ronde brings together the winter activities mentioned, while the Marais de Vaux offers an educational trail that is open to the public year-round. The art centre, churches and chapels offer different points of interest. Details about trail length, activities and history can help you choose what suits your interests during your stay, without combining the different sites and activities into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Niévroz, Grilly, Prévessin-Moëns, Curciat-Dongalon, Saint-Maurice-De-Beynost, Bourg-Saint-Christophe, Civrieux, Cessy
For the regional travel overview: Ain.
