📍 France

AIN: WINE CULTURE, BRESSE PLAINS AND MOUNTAIN CHARM

Wine-dark grapes hang heavy on vines, medieval walls glow golden stone, peaks pierce the sky. Ain is wine country through and through.

≈ 18
Days
530
Km
17
Stops
📖 10 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Medieval Pérouges village, Beaujolais vineyards, Nantua and its lake. Ain, between Bresse and Bugey.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Bourg En Bresse

city charm poultry tower

Bourg En Bresse - Photo 1Bourg En Bresse - Photo 2Bourg En Bresse - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Royal Monastery of Brou.
2
Notre-Dame Church.
3
City center.
🎯

Activities

→
Bresse poultry tasting.
→
Walk through the cobblestone streets.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 44 km
Travel time: 53min
2
Day

Perouges

medieval walls perfect stone

Perouges - Photo 1Perouges - Photo 2Perouges - Photo 3Perouges - Photo 4Perouges - Photo 5Perouges - Photo 6Perouges - Photo 7Perouges - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval town Most Beautiful Villages of France.
2
Fortified church.
3
Medieval market halls.
🎯

Activities

→
Sugar galette tasting.
→
Poultry market (Saturday).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 39 km
Travel time: 46min
3
Day

Chatillon Sur Chalaronne

village grace river flow

Chatillon Sur Chalaronne - Photo 1Chatillon Sur Chalaronne - Photo 2Chatillon Sur Chalaronne - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Old half-timbered houses.
2
Beaujolais cru.
3
Cellars.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Chalaronne.
→
Juliénas tasting.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 32 km
Travel time: 38min
4
Day

Julienas

wine village glow slope

Julienas - Photo 1Julienas - Photo 2Julienas - Photo 3Julienas - Photo 4Julienas - Photo 5Julienas - Photo 6Julienas - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Highest village in Beaujolais.
2
Panoramic terrace.
3
Wine village.
4
Chapel of the Madonna.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to wine estates.
→
Hike to the Col du Fût d'Avenas.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 9min
5
Day

Chiroubles

wine slope terraced vines

Chiroubles - Photo 1Chiroubles - Photo 2Chiroubles - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Historic capital of Beaujolais.
2
Hospices.
🎯

Activities

→
View of the Alps.
→
Fleurie tasting.
→
Hike through the panoramic vineyards.
6
Day

Fleurie

wine tradition anchor town

Fleurie - Photo 1Fleurie - Photo 2Fleurie - Photo 3Fleurie - Photo 4Fleurie - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Museum.
2
Village of Clochemerle.
3
Wine heritage.
🎯

Activities

→
Beaujolais wine route.
→
Tastings at the estates.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 3 km
Travel time: 4min
7
Day

Beaujeu

wine town crown tradition

Beaujeu - Photo 1Beaujeu - Photo 2Beaujeu - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Golden stone village Most Beautiful Villages of France.
2
Rue Nationale.
3
Private mansions.
🎯

Activities

→
Wine route.
→
Hiking in the hillsides.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 31 km
Travel time: 37min
8
Day

Vaux En Beaujolais

vintage charm wine village

Vaux En Beaujolais - Photo 1Vaux En Beaujolais - Photo 2Vaux En Beaujolais - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Fortress castle.
2
Parliament Palace.
3
Vieux-Lyon.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk through the vineyards.
→
Discovery of hilltop villages.
→
Discovery of Beaujolais.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 31 km
Travel time: 37min
9
Day

Oingt

medieval village tower stone

Oingt - Photo 1Oingt - Photo 2Oingt - Photo 3Oingt - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Fourvière.
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking along the banks of Saône.
→
Historical discovery.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 15 km
Travel time: 18min
10
Day

Villefranche Sur Saone

wine capital city flow

Villefranche Sur Saone - Photo 1Villefranche Sur Saone - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Presqu'île.
2
Traboules.
3
Confluence.
🎯

Activities

→
Lyon bouchon restaurant.
→
Stroll along the Rhône quays.
→
Shopping.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 27 km
Travel time: 32min
11
Day

Trevoux

river château tower stone

Trevoux - Photo 1Trevoux - Photo 2Trevoux - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Musée des Confluences.
2
Parc de la Tête d'Or.
3
Railway museum.
🎯

Activities

→
River cruise.
→
Paul Bocuse Market.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 89 km
Travel time: 1h47
12
Day

Lyon

confluence grand city flow

Lyon - Photo 1Lyon - Photo 2Lyon - Photo 3Lyon - Photo 4Lyon - Photo 5Lyon - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Retord Plateau.
2
Panoramic sites.
3
Valserine Sinkholes.
4
Fort l'Écluse.
+4 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking in Bugey.
→
Cycle touring.
→
Nordic hiking.
+3 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 35 km
Travel time: 41min
13
Day

Amberieu En Bugey

bugey gateway mountain valley

Amberieu En Bugey - Photo 1Amberieu En Bugey - Photo 2Amberieu En Bugey - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Cerdon Cellars (sparkling wine).
2
Prehistoric caves.
🎯

Activities

→
Fishing.
→
Quenelle tasting.
→
Cerdon ancestral method tasting.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21 km
Travel time: 25min
14
Day

Hauteville Lompnes

alpine slope tower high

Hauteville Lompnes - Photo 1Hauteville Lompnes - Photo 2Hauteville Lompnes - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Retord Plateau.
2
Panoramic sites.
🎯

Activities

→
Speleology.
→
Mountain biking.
→
Nature observation.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24 km
Travel time: 29min
15
Day

Bellegarde Sur Valserine

border charm river flow

Bellegarde Sur Valserine - Photo 1Bellegarde Sur Valserine - Photo 2Bellegarde Sur Valserine - Photo 3Bellegarde Sur Valserine - Photo 4Bellegarde Sur Valserine - Photo 5Bellegarde Sur Valserine - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Valserine Sinkholes.
2
Fort l'Écluse.
3
Gorges.
🎯

Activities

→
Gorge hiking.
→
Rock climbing.
→
Geological discovery.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 30 km
Travel time: 36min
16
Day

Nantua

lake beauty mountain glow

Nantua - Photo 1Nantua - Photo 2Nantua - Photo 3Nantua - Photo 4Nantua - Photo 5Nantua - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Lake Nantua.
2
Saint-Michel Abbey Church.
3
Resistance Museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Swimming.
→
Fishing.
→
Water sports.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 23 km
Travel time: 27min
17
Day

Cerdon

wine tradition vintage valley

Cerdon - Photo 1Cerdon - Photo 2Cerdon - Photo 3Cerdon - Photo 4Cerdon - Photo 5Cerdon - Photo 6Cerdon - Photo 7Cerdon - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Cerdon Cellars (sparkling wine).
2
Prehistoric caves.
🎯

Activities

→
Cerdon ancestral method tasting.
→
Speleology.
→
Hiking.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 79 km
Travel time: 1h35

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 14 and 22 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.