Lac de Nantua is of glacial origin and is classified as an Espace Naturel Sensible (ENS). You can rent canoes and go out on the lake. Alongside this activity, trails, history and regional cuisine offer other ways to spend your stay. Explore Nantua according to your interests—with time on the water, on foot or taking in the city’s culture.
Lake and trails
The Sentier de la Vierge et des Diligences offers a practical guide for planning your time: it takes about an hour and is free. It first leads through the forest, then into the town of Nantua. Along the way, it presents the town’s history and landscapes. If you would rather take a walking route through town, the Circuit découverte de Nantua leads to information panels about Nantua’s most remarkable features.
The Tour du lac de Nantua is a signposted route; 80 percent of it is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. As the route layout may change, check the latest information before setting out. Another itinerary is the Tour des Fècles: it climbs along a mountainside and offers unobstructed views of the lake and Nantua. On the plateau, the circular route follows the cliff to the Colonne viewpoint. Trail conditions and viewpoints may change, so check the latest situation before setting out.
One route leads from Nantua to the Col de Belleroche. The climb passes through mountain meadows and conifer stands, reaching a maximum gradient of 9.4 percent. These routes offer different options: an approximately one-hour trail through forest and town, a circular route around the lake, and trails with climbs and views. The stated duration and gradient figures apply to the routes described.
History and memorial sites
The Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation is located in the former prison of Nantua. Its subject matter ranges from the beginning of the war and daily life during the occupation to the Vichy regime, the Résistance and Maquis, Allied assistance, and deportation. The museum holds the “Tourisme & Handicap” label for hearing, intellectual disabilities, mobility and vision.
The Monument départemental aux déportés de l’Ain was created by Louis Leygue and inaugurated in 1949. It stands on an artificial esplanade that extends from the lakeshore into the water. Commemorative ceremonies are held at the monument every year on 14 December, the anniversary of the Nantua roundup, and on the last Sunday in April. These dates are commemorations, not part of a general events program.
The Abbatiale Saint-Michel also brings together several eras: it was built in the late 11th century on the site of an earlier Benedictine abbey and was designated a Monument historique in 1907. The abbey church houses Eugène Delacroix’s painting “Martyre de Saint-Sébastien.” Its building history, protected status and painting each offer a different way to explore Nantua’s cultural heritage.
Cuisine and special events
Quenelle sauce Nantua is Nantua’s signature dish. Since 2008, the Confrérie de la Quenelle sauce Nantua has held the Fête de la Quenelle every year on the first weekend of October. For a closer look at local cuisine, there is also the Dégustation de quenelles au Comté: this tasting is led by a member of the Confrérie. Participation options may change; check what is currently available in advance.
Everyday cultural offerings
Cinéma Jean-Pierre Améris is a municipal cinema in Nantua, with a varied film program and cultural events. As the program changes, check the latest dates before visiting. Médiathèque Dubouillon welcomes visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as Fridays and Saturdays, and offers a selection of 30,000 resources. If you are planning a visit, check the current opening days here too.
Discover more destinations: Jassans-Riottier, Chaneins, Ruffieu, Bâgé-La-Ville, Hauteville-Lompnes, Saint-Étienne-sur-Reyssouze, Curciat-Dongalon, Chavannes-Sur-Suran.
For the broader travel overview: Ain.
