Samognat combines a specific choice for nature with distinctive traces of local history: golf and fishing take centre stage at Lac de Samognat, while Le Tour de l’Oignin offers a clearly described circular hike. Other highlights include the historic craft of La Tournerie, a church of Gothic origin and the former salt store in Royères.

Golf and fishing at Lac de Samognat

Golf du Haut-Bugey is located by Lac de Samognat and has a 9-hole course. The practice area has 17 teeing positions, six of which are covered. Golf du Haut-Bugey is accessible to beginners. If golf is your main focus, you can choose between playing the course and practising at the teeing positions. Fishing from a boat without a combustion engine is also permitted on the same lake. Golf and fishing therefore offer different ways to enjoy the lake: a golf facility with its own practice area, or an activity with an explicitly stated condition for boat use.

Circular hike and river landscapes

Le Tour de l’Oignin is an 8.1-kilometre circular hike. The route is listed as having 112 metres of ascent and 112 metres of descent, and taking 2 hours and 20 minutes. These figures answer different questions: the distance describes the length of the route, the elevation figures describe the ascent and descent, and the time gives you an idea of how long it takes. The loop starts by the water near Golf du Haut-Bugey and is marked in yellow. You can assess the hike by its distance, elevation profile and duration. The route is freely accessible year-round. Maintenance, weather or safety restrictions may temporarily affect access, so check the current conditions before setting out.

Near Samognat are the Sauts et Marmites de Charmine, a classified natural site. Over centuries, the river has carved out its distinctive formations. This adds another perspective on the river landscape to your hike. The Gorges de l’Oignin in Matafelon-Granges are also used for hiking.

Crafts and history in Samognat

Local history is reflected in crafts, architecture and salt storage. La Tournerie began in the 19th century as a workshop where locally cut boxwood was made into chess pieces, draughts pieces and lottery game tokens. The material and products give the craft tradition a tangible character: boxwood was used to make items for various games. The church in Samognat is of Gothic origin and has a 16th-century portal. In the hamlet of Royères, the so-called “grenier à sel” served as a store for gabelle salt. Together, these places and details point to different aspects of history: craft production, a historic church portal and salt storage.

Which focus suits your stay?

The hike has a clearly stated duration, golf offers a choice between a 9-hole course and a practice area, and fishing depends on using a boat without a combustion engine. This lets you choose according to the activities you are most interested in.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Servas, Peyrieu, Maillat, Civrieux, Neyron, Bellignat, Thoissey, Oyonnax.

For the main travel guide: Ain.