At the gates of Lyon and Geneva, near Macon, Ain benefits from a strategic location. Crossed from north to south by the river of the same name, this department extends from the plain to the foothills of the Jura, with a low altitude plateau, cluses and valleys, culminating in the Crêt de la Neige, at an altitude of 1,720 m. This charming region is known for its typical geographical regions: Bugey, Dombes, Bresse and Pays de Gex. There is something for everyone here! The subtle flavours of Bresse poultry, the only ones with a PDO, a rich heritage with prestigious buildings including the royal monastery of Brou or the jewel of the medieval village of Pérouges, preserved nature, particularly remarkable in the unique ecosystem of the Dombes, refuge of the avifauna. No major cities in the Ain: the capital, Bourg-en-Bresse, has just over 40,000 inhabitants, but a network of charming villages. Discover fertile land, laughing landscapes, good restaurants, a network of lakes and wetlands, the famous Bird Park or even one of the seven alpine ski resorts. In the department of Ain you can also fish, play golf, ride a horse or bike, go by dog sleigh, hike.... And why not a little wellness cure in Divonne-les-Bains? Your tour guide will help you to plan a route according to your preferences.
When to go to the Ain ? Although gourmet events take place all year round, the stars of the show are the turkey and the capon of Bresse... at Christmas! This is the high season for tourism and gastronomy. In winter, when the snow is there, you can put on your cross-country skis. For birdwatching in the Dombes ponds, spring and autumn are the best times. As soon as the weather is fine, it's time to go hiking on the paths of the Jura. And throughout the year, you can immerse yourself in the Middle Ages by visiting Perrouges.
The Ain has a temperate and rather humid climate, with some nuances. Winters are colder in the Haut-Bugey and the Pays de Gex than in the rest of the department. Summers are very hot, even scorching, in the south and in the regions of Bas Bugey and Ambérieu. The plain is particularly windy.
