A 190 m² mural adds a distinctive touch to Montréal-La-Cluse: the Fresque de la Cluse « Monet » is located at Place de la Cluse, on the corner of rue du Jura and rue de Savoie. The town also has a church with several datable building phases, a mausoleum with directions, and routes by the water. You can shape your stay around culture, scenery or outdoor activities and compare the different options as you plan your trip.
Art and Architectural History
The fresco was created by Alain Locatelli and Camille Semelet. It depicts two works by Claude Monet: « Au bord de l’eau, Benencourt » from 1868 and « Baigneurs à la grenouillère » from 1869. Its precise location at Place de la Cluse and the two paintings depicted give the mural a clear connection to the place and to art history.
The Église Saint-Maurice also reveals several building phases. It was built in the second half of the 13th century; its bell tower dates from the 17th century and was rebuilt in 1830. The church includes a chapel dating from the 15th century. A coat of arms bearing the year 1643 is carved on a door lintel.
To reach the J.B. Delilia Mausoleum, walk from the church along rue de l’Egalité. Before the climb to the cemetery, a sign points to the right. Route details may change with local signage, so follow the signs on site. Joseph Bernard Delilia de Crose is laid to rest in the mausoleum. He is described as the first representative from Bugey to be elected to the National Assembly of 1789.
Another historical site in Montréal-La-Cluse is Habitat du Landeron, an extensive Gallo-Roman settlement that was inhabited and altered between the 1st and 4th centuries.
Scenery and Routes
Lac de Nantua is a glacial lake surrounded by high limestone cliffs. It has been classified as a protected landscape since 1936 and has held the status of an « espace naturel sensible » of the Ain département since 2018. At Pré Cadgène in Montréal-La-Cluse, on the shore of Lac de Nantua, there is a grassy beach, parking and picnic tables. As well as the routes, this gives you a specific place to take a break by the water.
The Les voiles du Landeyron trail starts at the car park on Chemin du Mont, opposite the collège. It follows the river, passing a series of cascades and pools. There are viewpoints and four information panels along the route; after 1.9 km, the trail crosses a ford. It may be impassable after heavy rain, so check conditions before planning to cross. At −15 °C, one of the cascades freezes to form the Voile du Landeyron.
The Voie douce du Lange offers a different kind of route: this flat, 3-metre-wide shared path links Oyonnax and Nantua and can be accessed from car parks in Montréal-La-Cluse. It is intended for pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders, and is suitable for pushchairs and people with reduced mobility. The Voie douce is open daily year-round and is free to access; check the latest operational information again before your trip.
The specific conditions can help you choose a route: the Voie douce is flat and wide and intended for the user groups listed above, while the ford on the Les voiles du Landeyron trail may be impassable after heavy rain. These different features can help you decide how to include the two routes in your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Château-Gaillard, Corbonod, Jassans-Riottier, Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône, Segny, Saint-André-de-Corcy, Peyrieu, Ramasse
For the broader travel guide: Ain.
