Crossing of the Dombes (Rhône-Ain)

From Sainte-Paule to the Col de Fay, this route traverses the vibrant diversity of the Rhône and Ain regions, beginning in the heart of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées (Golden Stone Beaujolais). Between Val d'Oingt and Theizé, the ochre limestone villages radiate sunshine, showcasing an exceptional wine-growing heritage before crossing the Saône River at Anse. The trail then enters the former principality of Trévoux, steeped in history, before opening onto the endless horizons of the Dombes. This land of water, dotted with the ponds of Monthieux and Saint-Marcel, is a sanctuary of biodiversity where wild and protected birdlife thrives. The journey takes on a spectacular medieval dimension in Pérouges, a town of character, before reaching the banks of the Ain River at Chazey. Heading towards Lagnieu and Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey, the terrain becomes more pronounced, revealing limestone cliffs and steep vineyards that herald the first foothills of the Jura.

The Dombes, primarily located in the Ain department (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) and historically extending into part of the Rhône, is a unique natural region in France, world-renowned for its plateau of over a thousand ponds. These water bodies, created by humans as early as the Middle Ages, are the backbone of its economy and identity, particularly for fish farming (raising carp, pike, and tench) and ornithology, as Dombes is a major stopover for migratory birds. The landscape is a mosaic of water bodies, forests, and fields, providing an exceptional setting for biodiversity. Its history is marked by the former Principality of Dombes, with its capital in Trévoux (now in Ain), preserving a rich medieval and architectural heritage.

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