Day 1 - morning

Via Ferrata de la Guinguette, a thrilling cliffside trail

Our stay begins at Hostiaz, in the southern part of the Jura Mountains. Here, unfurling like an enormous limestone ribbon that reaches high above the forest, the cliff face is equipped with an impressive via ferrata trail known as the Guinguette.

Listed in the "fairly difficult" category, the route remains accessible to anyone who has already completed a via ferrata trail with a professional guide. If you don't have the necessary equipment, head for the Gîte La Fora in Hostiaz where you can rent a kit which includes harness, ropes and helmet.

We're off for our first adventure, a dizzying experience 200 metres above the ground!

We access the rock face by going down a ladder, staying focused and resisting the call of the void and the immensity of the landscape before us! With our lifelines safely attached and feet placed firmly on the metal bars, we make our way across the face. It's hard work on the arms, but we feel more and more at ease and even pluck up enough courage to look down at the Cluse des Hôpitaux valley. After our adventure, we feel relieved to be back on firm ground but also happy to have defied the void!

More details about the Via Ferrata

@S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Via ferrata dans l'Ain @S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
@S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Vue depuis les hauteurs de Hostiaz @S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
@S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Via Ferrata de la Guinguette @S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Shutterstock
Via Ferrata Baume du Verneau
Via Ferrata Baume du Verneau

Via Ferrata Baume du Verneau

Shutterstock
Mizenboite - BFC Tourisme
Via Ferrata Guinguette dans le Haut Bugey Mizenboite - BFC Tourisme

Places to eat near the Via Ferrata trail

The Gîte La Fora that provides the equipment is also a country restaurant. Light and delicious, the menu gives pride of place to seasonal ingredients and local producers. After this welcome break on the sunny terrace, it's time for us to pursue our adventures.

More details about this restaurant

 

Day 2 - Afternoon

The Nordic way of life: dog hiking and a Nordic bath

We head for Hauteville-Lompnes, stopping on the way for a glimpse of the Charabotte waterfall which can be seen from a roadside viewpoint.

This afternoon, we're off to La Praille for an encounter of a different kind, with our four-legged partners. Sibérie's Husky & Co organises dog hiking excursions. Attached by an elastic lead to a dog, the walk turns out to be quite an energetic one. Whether it's the call of the forest or a need to stretch their legs, these dogs have energy to spare! The activity ends in a long session of cuddles.

More details about dog hiking

After an action-packed day, we just want to unwind. And what better way than a romantic Nordic evening? Imagine immersing yourself in the warm water of a Nordic bath in the great outdoors. Not forgetting the drinks sipped in the bath, before enjoying a delicious fondue in the inviting atmosphere of the Auberge de La Praille.

Discover the Auberge de la Praille

Day 2 - morning

Mountain biking in Hauteville

The next day, we decide to take advantage of the mountain E-bike rentals at the campsite. The varying contours of Upper Bugey make it choice terrain for mountain bikers of all levels. Gentle rides, long excursions, downhill challenges and enduro trails can all be enjoyed at the Cormaranche-en-Bugey Bike Park.

We chose a bucolic ride around Lesines Lake, a site reserved for fishing

Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme

Nantua: exploring the town and the lake

Boat trip on Lake Nantua

It's time to get back on the road and head for Nantua. The lake looks like a lagoon nestled between the mountains and instantly catches our eye. We stop for lunch at the Belle Rive restaurant which has a lovely lakeside conservatory.

Between small fried fish from the lake, the essential pike quenelles with Nantua sauce, and sweetbreads, it's difficult to choose.

We could not leave Nantua without venturing onto the lake. With kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, catamaran or dinghy sailing and even dug-outs, the Nantua sailing club has a wide range of options. Thanks to the afternoon winds, we go out on a catamaran in the company of a skipper. Before long we know all about jibing, tacking, luffing, bearing away and other sailing manoeuvres.

More details about catamaran excursions

 

Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Sortie en catamaran sur le lac de nantua Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
catamaran sur lac de Nantua Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Mizenboite - BFC Tourisme
Lac de Nantua Mizenboite - BFC Tourisme

A walk in the town

We finish the day with a little tour of the narrow streets of Nantua. This ancient fortified town still shows traces of its historic past, starting with the Abbey Church of St. Michael. This understated building of Romanesque style is home to a few gems, including a painting by Eugène Delacroix and a colossal church organ.

From the church, we wander around the Pierre district with its well-preserved houses and medieval shops. We walk up to the source of the Doye, one of the three rivers that flow through Nantua. The tanners used to work here. Plunging their hides into the water, they attracted crayfish which ended up in the cooking pot and eventually became a feature in the local culinary heritage thanks to the famous Nantua sauce

Discover Nantua

Aurélien Billois - BFC Tourisme
Abbatiale et lac de Nantua de nuit
Abbatiale et lac de Nantua de nuit

Abbatiale et lac de Nantua de nuit

Aurélien Billois - BFC Tourisme
Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
visite Nantua et bord du lac Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
balade decouverte de Nantua Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Organising your stay

Sleeping well and eating well in Upper Bugey

En résumé
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Via ferrata dans l'Ain @S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Vue depuis les hauteurs de Hostiaz @S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Via Ferrata de la Guinguette @S.cardon - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Via Ferrata Baume du Verneau

Via Ferrata Baume du Verneau

Shutterstock
Via Ferrata Guinguette dans le Haut Bugey Mizenboite - BFC Tourisme
A propos
Sortie en catamaran sur le lac de nantua Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
catamaran sur lac de Nantua Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
Lac de Nantua Mizenboite - BFC Tourisme
A propos
Abbatiale et lac de Nantua de nuit

Abbatiale et lac de Nantua de nuit

Aurélien Billois - BFC Tourisme
visite Nantua et bord du lac Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme
balade decouverte de Nantua Berengere Morel - Haut-Bugey Tourisme