Welcome to nantua

The town of Nantua is located at the edge of the lake of the same name, and at the bottom of a high unstable calcareous cliff, under constant monitoring.

Nantua was a long time a town of transit, because crossed by the trunk road from Lyon to Geneva; and relay crossing point of tourism, it also underwent of it the consequences in terms of harmful effects, noise and atmospheric pollution (frontage of the blackened houses). Since the construction of A40 motorway, known as “motorway of the Titans”, it  is known the motorist that by the viaduct of Nantua. The city laid out a station, but the rail link was replaced by a service road in the coach and there do not remain any more a stop.

Consecrated and placed under the patronage of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul toward the end of the 11th century by Hugues of Semur, Abbott of Cluny and Nantua, the Abbaye of Nantua was built on a former Benedictine abbey, which was an elder sister to Cluny and where the body of Charles the Bald it is said to have rested before his inhumation at Saint-Denis. It became a listed Historical Monument in 1907. Despite some damage suffered during the Revolution, its pediment remains a superb example of Roman art. It clashes with the Cluny style, featuring strict and dignified yet elegant chapters of Cistercian architecture. It is host to an organ manufactured by Nicolas-Antoine Lété (1845), listed historical monument in 1976, also to the Sainte-Anne Renaissance chapel with its superb suspended vault -an amazing technical feat-, and to the “Martyrdom of Saint-Sebastien“, a chef-d’oeuvre of worldwide repute painted by Eugène Delacroix. From the former cloister one can enjoy a splendid view.

The castle was built by Etienne II of Thoire and Villars, following the 1248 treaty. The round tower was made using moellon (5 metres high). An ogive-shaped opening is still visible on the north side of the building, where two crows can be seen. Panoramic view point over the plain of Saint-Martin.

This 141 hectares lake of glacial origin will appeal to anglers (carp) as well as to bathers. Surrounded with calcareous cliffs, its waters shift in colour from blue to dark green.

Pedal boats, supervised bathing (nautical stadium), sailing, fishing, picnic area, children games area, are on the programme!

5 km to the east of Nantua, on the RD1084 road, a rockslide created lake Sylans by blocking the Doye spring. To the west one can still make out the ruins of the former ice-making factory that used to sell the ice extracted from the lake (up to 40 cm thick) until 1917. Today it is a paradise for pike fishing fans. Guided visits with Sylvain Poncet, mountain tour guide

This beautiful mountain lake is nestled in a clearing surrounded with fir trees. A listed natural site, it is found at an altitude of 831 m and covers an area of 8 ha. The superb valley lake spreads over the three districts of: Oyonnax, Echallon and Charix.

Nicknamed “Little Canada of the Haut-Bugey”, the site offers a wide range of activities to the visitors: hiking trails, mountain biking swimming (lifeguards), fishing... In winter, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, ice skating, snow shoe walks, or scuba diving under the ice.

Named after a family from Brénod, the Marron ponds are the only ponds where water can be found year round. Created round 1120, at the same period as the Chartreuse of Meyriat, they were used as a supply of water and a fishing reserve by the monks. Nowadays, they are privately owned, their water is well stocked with fish and they get covered with water lilies in the spring. They are now tourist sites and are part of the pedestrian trails that will lead you around the village.

Beyond the relaxing sensation of freedom, the tourist route has much more to offer: from open air activities to cultural events... The Haut-Bugey Fir Tree Route encourages you to go on for ever, for fear of missing something important. The charming landscape will reveal its secrets to you, both in summer and winter.

Come and experience the seasons, mile after mile, choose yours. Between 500 m and 1144 m, discover the diversity of a land paved with human accomplishments, respectful of the environment. At your own pace, following your mood, let yourself be guided along this Route offering striking scenery. In addition, many cultural treasures and traditional culinary products await you during your stay in the region.