With three circular hiking trails ranging from 6.5 to 14.7 km, Saint-Nizier-le-Bouchoux offers a practical choice for days outdoors. Other attractions include a Romanesque church, the Ferme Bourbon and demonstrations of metalworking. These provide different focal points for a stay, combining outdoor activity with Bresse heritage.
Hiking among circular trails and ponds
The three circular trails are 6.5 km, 12.3 km and 14.7 km long. At 6.5 km, one route is considerably shorter than the other two, at 12.3 and 14.7 km; the 12.3 km route falls between them. You can compare the distances to decide how far you want to hike. The trails can be used on foot, by bicycle, mountain bike or on horseback. You can therefore factor both your preferred distance and mode of travel into your plans for the day.
While hiking, you can also discover around a dozen ponds off the trails. These bodies of water add a nature-focused option to the measured circular routes for anyone who would like to keep an eye out for ponds while exploring.
At the Plan d'eau de MĂ©pillat, fishing is permitted from sunrise to sunset. Be sure to check the seasonal fishing rules again before your trip. This will help you plan this activity in light of when you are staying.
Different considerations can help you plan: you can compare the circular trails by distance, the ponds by their location off the trails, and fishing by its time window from sunrise to sunset. This can help you decide whether your day will focus on choosing a route, exploring off the trails or a fishing activity with clearly defined hours.
Bresse heritage: church, Ferme Bourbon and craftsmanship
Construction of the Romanesque church of Saint-Nizier-le-Bouchoux began in the 11th century. It features a Galonnière and an intricately decorated altarpiece depicting the Resurrection. Alongside its long history, the church’s architectural detail and religious artwork are distinctive features in their own right.
The Ferme Bourbon is the only surviving one of the four Bresse farms with a Saracen chimney in Saint-Nizier-le-Bouchoux. Its mitre was rebuilt around 1950, after the hood and hearth had disappeared. The comparison within the group of four and the later reconstruction tell two different parts of its story: its unique status among the farms and a specific change to the building.
Steel, copper and brass are worked during demonstrations in the workshop. These three materials give the demonstrations a clear focus on craftsmanship. While the church and Ferme Bourbon are associated with architectural history, the workshop showcases metalworking.
Discover more destinations: Neyron, Chanoz-Châtenay, Châtillon-la-Palud, Simandre-sur-Suran, Thil, Bellignat, Montrevel-En-Bresse, Journans.
For the regional travel overview: Ain.
