The PLM Perrigny - Chatillon line

In Perrigny, just a few kilometres from the spa town of Lons-le-Saunier, prefecture of the Jura department, the PLM route follows the old railway line operated by the PLM company (Paris, Lyon, Méditerranée) until the middle of the 20th century. Wild and natural, it is now being restored as a cycle route. 80% completed, it will eventually link Lons-le-Saunier to Champagnole. To date, only the section between Chatillon and Marigny has not been opened to traffic, and several routes across the Ain are still under study.

From the top of the village of Perrigny, the PLM track, laid in compacted sand, leads to the first plateau on the hillside, crossing some remarkable engineering structures, including the 800-metre-long Diane tunnel and the iron viaduct in the Revigny reculée. Spectacular for both its engineering structures and its natural surroundings, this steady climb (around 3%) offers some particularly interesting views of Lons-le-Saunier and the remote villages of Conliège and Revigny.


From Briod onwards, the PLM asphalt route winds its way through the landscapes of the first plateau between forest and pasture. Soon, cyclists reach the village of Chatillon, with a short descent offering beautiful views of the Ain valley and the villages of Blye and Mesnois. Bucolic and timeless, this cycling break is a real breath of fresh air.


Between Chatillon and Marigny, the PLM track has not yet been built and there are no signposts, so cyclists are advised to exercise maximum caution when joining the road (in particular the D39 and D27) to reach Marigny and Lac de Chalain, the largest natural lake in the Jura and a must for many outdoor activities (swimming, fishing, canoeing, microlighting, adventure trails, mountain biking, hiking, etc.).


At Marigny, the PLM route continues towards the 4th largest town in the Jura: Champagnole. Along the banks of the River Ain, through the meadows, pastures and villages of the Pays des Lacs region, you'll be able to take in the scenery and discover a rural and forested area that's getting closer and closer to the landscapes of the Haut-Jura...