Ain à vélo route nr. 7 - Op het water route

Surrounded with steep hills, Cerdon doesn’t miss of character and offers to the guests many attractions : legacy, historical but also gastronomic by its famous sparkling rosé, the Bugey-Cerdon.The 20 fountains village nested at the heart of vineyards in a valley with three branches where flow trout streams that join themselves into the Veyron, Cerdon surprises the gust by its diversity : gushing fountains, bridges in “voussoir”, winding streets, typical vineyard houses, communal oven house of the “Maître Poste” with its two symmetrical doors and its windows from Middle-ages… Its “cuivrerie”, today closed, was born more than 150 years earlier and bears witness of an industrial heritage, unique by its ancestral character. On the heights of the village, installed since 1855, Notre-Dame-de-Carmier watch over all the inhabitants of Cerdon, that vow her a huge affection every day by climbing a hard and steep pathway in order to illuminate the statue. Let’s go on the footsteps of the French Resistance fighters by taking the pathway dedicated to them, between the village of Cerdon and the Val d’Enfer memorial, sculpted by Charles Machet, dedicated in memory of the 700 dead persons of the Ain maquis. But Cerdon is also and especially the cradle of a well-known vineyard, AOC since 2009 : the Bugey-Cerdon. To be seen : Virgin of the Mont Carmier – Chapel of the black Virgin of Préau – Val d’Enfer Memorial – French Resistance Fighters’ Trai

Cerdon Caves take you on a voyage back into prehistoric times ! Take the footpath to return to the shady park and have a good moment in this natural and unusual area and under the Lap tent. A little tourist train takes you to the entrance of the underground cave system where you continue on foot along the bed of the former rive. A mysterious and grandiose journey with full of surprises. At the Cerdon caves, the youngs, from 4 years' old, and the adults will discover the prehistoric people life : how to start a fire, how to hunt with assegais, discover the archeological remains... Organize your visit between animations and caves visit from the fixed visits schedule mentionned on our web site. Shady picnic areas - Snack - Shop Do not forget your sweat and good shoes.

What's more fun than spending a nice day with family or friends at the water's edge? Chambod Island, a haven of peace in the countryside, on the banks of the Ain river, in the heart of the Gorges de l'Ain.Chambod Island is clear water between the mountains, an island of 20 hectares with breathtaking scenery, activities for all. On the program: natural swimming in the Gorges de l'Ain, between the mountains, and gourmet break (s) on the terrace! It is also a waterway navigable over 15 km, a beach equipped with supervised swimming and pontoons for water sports (windsurfing, canoeing, paddle boat, paddle ...) or departures of walks or of hikes. The river Ain is divided into two arms around an expanse of land called Chambod Island. Located between the limestone cliffs of Balvay and Jarbonnet, this body of water was born from the construction of the dam Allement.

Located in the small village of Izernore the ruins of this Roman temple are unique in Ain and were dedicated to a deity whose identity is still a mystery.Before the Roman conquest of modern day France, Izernore was a Gauloise settlement. It became an important town under Roman rule. All that is left of this town today is the remains of the temple that bear witness to this significant period in local history. Today to protect the ruins they are fenced off and can only be viewed from a couple of meters away, the only time the public is allowed up close to them is on European Heritage Day in September.