13th-century town walls, arcaded houses and wine tastings at several venues give Poncin a distinctive character. There are also routes along the Ain and destinations for water sports. This makes it easy to plan a stay around your interests, with time to explore the historic townscape, go for a bike ride or sample the wines of the area.

Château and historic streets

The historic town includes town walls pierced by arrow slits and reinforced with towers. Its streets are lined with late-medieval arcaded houses, while the courtyards of manor houses dating from the 15th to 18th centuries also shape its architectural heritage. The Château de Poncin was rebuilt as a pleasure residence and designated a historic monument. It is partially protected; the protection was registered on 12 March 1970 and covers the façades and roofs, remains of the former fortifications, terraces, a retaining wall and gardens.

Another striking building is the Tour Bouvent, an octagonal Renaissance tower designated “classée.” The Church of Saint-Martin was built in 1886–1887 on the site of an older, demolished church. Its artworks include 19th-century stained glass made by the Atelier Beyssac workshop and an exceptional Vierge en Majesté, designated a historic monument.

The hamlets also offer a glimpse into local architectural history. Leymiat preserves the architecture of a wine-growing village: the stable adjoins the cellar, while the living quarters are upstairs and reached by an outdoor staircase. A chapel and traditional bread ovens stand along the two main streets.

Wine, exhibitions and events

The winegrowers of Poncin in Allement, Breignes, La Cueille and Leymiat welcome visitors for tastings. The wines on offer include Bugey Cerdon, Gamay, Pinot and Chardonnay, as well as Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay made using the traditional method. Marc du Bugey and Fine du Bugey are also available. Arrangements for welcoming visitors may vary, so arrange your visit directly with the relevant winegrower.

For art and culture, check the calendar: the Maison des Arts gallery hosts around ten exhibitions, depending on its changing annual programme. The Salon des Arts plastiques takes place every year in November. Check the specific dates before planning your trip around them. The Château de La Cueille occasionally opens to the public, for example for the Fête de la musique. As this does not imply a regular opening schedule, check in advance if you are planning a visit. Historically, the château was a fortress in the Middle Ages and a place of exchange and trade on the banks of the Ain.

On foot, by bike and by the water

The Balade des Roches is described as an easy five-kilometre circular route starting in Poncin. It runs mostly through woodland to the Belvédère des Roches, which offers views of Île Chambod and the hamlet of Merpuis. It is suitable for families. Trail conditions may change, so check the route before setting out.

For a longer bike ride, the 59-kilometre “Et au milieu coule une rivière” circular route starts in Poncin. It runs along both banks of the Gorges de l’Ain; on the return, it goes via Cize, Hautecourt and Île Chambod. The Route du Bugey also starts in Poncin and passes through the vineyards of Cerdon and a dozen villages. It follows small, scenic roads along the Ain. For both routes, it is worth checking conditions and signage before setting off.

Poncin’s Base nautique leisure area includes a 20-hectare island, a 15-kilometre navigable waterway, a beach with facilities and pontoons for water sports. In the Île Chambod-Merpuis area, cycling, hiking, pedal boating and stand-up paddleboarding are also available in summer. The season matters when planning: these activities are described as summer offerings.

Poncin offers a range of things to focus on, and there is no need to fit them all into a single day: take a short walk through the architectural heritage, go on a longer cycling trip, hike to a viewpoint or make time for a wine tasting. The right combination depends on whether you want to focus your stay on history, outdoor activities, water or wine.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois, Jayat, Beynost, Cessy, Oncieu, Relevant, Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne, Dompierre-sur-Chalaronne.

Go to the main travel overview: Ain.