It is on the shore of Lac de Chalain, the largest natural lake in the Jura, that your "Wines & Cheeses" expedition begins. The Marigny (39) area offers a breathtaking view of its turquoise waters, an exceptional setting between forests and mountains.

To discover:

• La Maison du Comté (The Comté House): Before reaching the lake shores, make a gourmet stopover in Poligny, the Comté Capital. This museum tour (lasting 1 h 30 to 2 h) is an essential gourmet and sensory immersion to uncover the secrets of AOP Comté, the star cheese of the Jura. (Adult Ticket: €9.20, including a self-guided tour and a tasting of two Comtés).
• Lac de Chalain (Chalain Lake): Summer and winter, the lake offers a wide range of activities: supervised swimming in the summer season, water sports, fishing, and hiking. Don't miss the legendary loops: "Les balcons du Lac de Chalain" (12 km) or the "Balade autour du Lac de Chalain" (14 km).
• Belvédère de Fontenu (Fontenu Viewpoint): Just 7 km from the area, this promontory offers you one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the entire lake and surrounding areas.
• Cascades du Hérisson (Hérisson Waterfalls): Just 30 minutes from the area (20 km), this natural site is perfect for a stopover on your tour! Classified as a "Grand Site de France", the seven majestic waterfalls succeed each other in the heart of the Jura forest. The complete itinerary (the 7 waterfalls) requires about 3h30 to 4h00 of walking. For a shorter route, focus on the Cascade de l'Éventail le Saut Girard (30 min to 1 h).

• Wines : Let yourself be seduced by the flagship grape varieties of the region with the AOP Côtes du Jura (mineral whites or light reds). For a sparkling pleasure, taste the excellent Crémant du Jura.

• Cheeses : Make way for the Masters of the Cheese Board! End your day on a convivial and authentic note. Savour the powerful Comté AOP, the ideal opportunity to test different aging periods. Don't forget the gentle Morbier AOP, the other star of the Jura, easily recognisable by its central line of ash.

Continue your getaway to Beaufort-Orbagna located in the heart of the Revermont, directly on a recognised winemaking land. At the gates of the most emblematic crus of the Jura, the location of the area offers you immediate proximity to a large maturing cellar to top up your stock of AOP cheeses.

To discover:

• Belvédère de la Madone (The Madone Viewpoint): An unmissable panoramic site, offering a breathtaking view of the characteristic Jura landscapes, notably the vast plain of the Bresse and the hillsides covered with vines of the South-Revermont. Ideally located on a promontory near the remains of the Château de Beaufort.
• Musée de la Vache qui rit (The Laughing Cow Museum): A Fun Detour! On your way to your next stop, pass through Lons-le-Saunier (15 to 20 min). This museum traces the history and global success of the famous cheese brand. Adult Ticket: €9.40 (Self-guided tour, 45 min).

Wines:

• La Caborde : This unmissable wine-cultural space, located 1 minute from the CAMPING-CAR PARK area, is your ideal solution for exploring the diversity of the Jura vineyard. Enjoy an "à la carte" tasting thanks to a wine fountain system which allows you to sample about twenty emblematic crus of the Revermont: AOP Côtes du Jura, Vin Jaune, and Vin de Paille.

Settle down on the panoramic rooftop terrace to admire the view! The venue also offers exhibitions, aperitif concerts, picnic tables, and is the starting point for beautiful marked hikes.

• Domaine Overnoy : This family domain in Beaufort-Orbagna, labelled Organic Agriculture, opens its doors to you. They produce the entire range of Jura wines through 10 to 15 cuvées per year. Visits and tastings by reservation for a privileged experience.

Cheeses:

• The commune of Beaufort-Orbagna is associated with Jura cheeses like Comté, Morbier, Bleu de Gex, and Mont d’Or (produced from August to March).

• You can also find locally produced goat cheeses, such as those from the Ferme des Cabrotins which is near Beaufort-Orbagna. (20 min)

For your stay in the Jura mountains (39), you have the choice between two communes rich in discoveries: Arinthod or Val Suran. Each offers a unique experience, combining nature, history, and tranquility.

• Arinthod: The Nature and Heritage Crossroads

Arinthod, at the gates of the Haut-Jura, is a hiker's paradise with 300 km of marked trails, offering an exceptional playground in the heart of the Petite Montagne. This destination combines spectacular natural sites, such as the mysterious Pierre Enon and the Caborde du Bœuf, with a rich historical heritage including a medieval city, the ruins of the Château d'Oliferne and the Tour de Dramelay.

• Val Suran: The Valley of Waters and Mills

Val Suran is a peaceful commune by the riverside in immediate proximity to the Haut-Jura, ideal for discovering the Petite Montagne on foot or by bike. You can easily access Roman treasures such as the Saint Pierre de Gigny abbey (7 km) and the ruins of the Château d'Oliferne, as well as natural curiosities such as the Grotte de la Balme d'Epy and the Tour de Dramelay. Furthermore, Val Suran is the ideal starting point for a relaxing getaway to Lac de Vouglans (30 km), a huge emerald green body of water renowned for its water activities and developed beaches.

To discover:

• Lac de Vouglans Third largest artificial lake in France, an emblematic site of the Jura, it is accessible approximately 20 km from Arinthod and 35 km from Val Suran. Famous for its emerald green water, it is ideal for relaxation and a change of scenery: it offers developed beaches for authorised swimming, numerous water activities, marinas, restaurants, and guided cruises.
• Musée du Jouet (The Toy Museum) The museum traces the history of the toy, from Antiquity to the present day, with rich and varied collections (dolls, trains, board games, video games, etc.). The focus is on Jura expertise, Moirans-en-Montagne being a historic cradle of wooden toy manufacturing. The approach is interactive and fun. (Around 35 min from Arinthod and 45 min from Val Suran). Take advantage of our Good Deal with them!

Cheese:

• Le Moelleux d’Arinthod : This is the local specialty. A cow's milk cheese (raw or pasteurised depending on the production), with a soft paste and washed rind, made by the Fruitière d’Arinthod. It is renowned for its smooth texture and its sweet flavours from the Jura mountains. Take advantage of our Good Deal with them!

• Le Comté (AOP) : The unmissable cheese of the Jura. Local fruitières (cheese dairies), like the Fruitière de la Rivière in Val Suran (Saint-Julien-sur-Suran) or the one in Arinthod, are major producers of it. You will find different aging periods there.

Wines:

• Although this area is not in the heart of the Jura vineyard, you will find typical Jura wines in the local fruitières and cellars: Pair the Moelleux d’Arinthod with a Chardonnay du Jura (dry white wine) or a Pinot Noir (light red wine from the Jura) for a successful local pairing.

Continue your journey in the Petite Montagne up to Thoirette-Coisia, the perfect stop to combine nature and gastronomy. This commune, ideally located on the banks of the Ain river with the restored Lône and Lac de Coiselet for swimming and canoeing, opens the doors to the Bugey vineyard and the Fruitière des Erythrones in Aromas. On the nature side, numerous trails towards the Parc du Haut-Jura (15 km) and the ruins of Oliferne will allow you to digest before reaching Lac de Nantua (20 km).

To discover:

• Le Cœur de Thoirette et la Mémoire de l’Ain (The Heart of Thoirette and the Memory of the Ain): Discover the village by starting with the historic Bridge over the Ain. Admire the built heritage (Church of the Assumption, birthplace of Xavier Bichat, a major figure in French medicine and anatomy). Don't miss the Lône, a restored river arm, recognized for its ecological exemplariness.

• Le Lac de Coiselet (Coiselet Lake): This lake, the most southern in the Jura, is ideal for leisure. Enjoy water activities (swimming in Chancia, canoeing, kayaking) and Fishing (pike, zander, carp).
• Tour du Lac en vélo (Lake Tour by Bike): An easy cycle loop of 30.5 km allows you to tour Lac de Coiselet in about 2 hours, offering magnificent views between cliffs and forests.
• Sensations Fortes (Thrills): For adventure lovers, explore the Ain gorges directly from a Kayak.

Cheese:

• Visit La Fruitière des Erythrones in Aromas (10 min) which offers a tasting and a museum space around the production of cheese (Comté) and the cheesemaker's trade. Of course, you can buy these unmissable Jura AOPs there!

Recommended Restaurants:

• La cuisine de Sandrine et Nadia (Thoirette-Coisia) : Take advantage of our Good Deal with this local address. THURSDAY EVENINGS, benefit from a free soft drink with the purchase of a pizza or a cooked meal.

• Restaurant Les Gentianes (Le Poizat-Lalleyriat) : A family restaurant offering traditional cuisine with daily specials based on fresh products. Ideally located near Lac de Lalleyriat.

Your journey continues towards the Ain and its riches; you have the choice between two towns offering different atmospheres and attractions:

• Saint-Vulbas : Ideal for a break dedicated to nature and relaxation, with privileged access to the banks of the Rhône and the nature reserves.
• Virignin : Excellent destination if you wish to get closer to the vineyard of Savoy and discover the rich historical and natural heritage of the Belley region.

To discover in Saint-Vulbas:

• Nature, Rhône and Open Air : The area is on the bank of the Rhône. Enjoy walks, cycling, hiking and mountain biking along the river and in the Plaine de l'Ain. Explore the Réserve naturelle régionale des îles du Haut-Rhône (Regional Nature Reserve of the Upper Rhône Islands) for observing fauna and flora in a preserved setting.

To discover in Virignin:

• Close to Belley (6 km), city of Brillat-Savarin. It is the heart of wine tourism in Bugey: do not miss visiting the Domaine Monin in Vongnes. Take advantage of our Good Deal with them, (1 free bottle for 12 purchased.)
• Nature side, explore the peaceful Lac de Barterand (10 km) or the spectacular Glandieu waterfall (15 km).

Cheese:

• Brillat-Savarin : Since you are close to Belley, take the opportunity to taste Brillat-Savarin, a rich and creamy triple cream, a nod to the famous gastronome native to the city.

Wines:

• Vins du Bugey (AOC Bugey) : Both areas are at the heart of this wine region. Taste the Bugey-Cerdon (sparkling rosé wine), the dry white wines (such as Montagnieu) and the red wines of the region.

After exploring the Petite Montagne and the surroundings of Belley, the Brégnier-Cordon area awaits you for a complete immersion between the Rhône and the foothills of the Bugey. This stop is ideal for combining the pleasures of water, hiking, and the discovery of hidden heritage.

To discover:

• Enjoy the Plan d’eau de Glandieu (Glandieu Waterbody) and its walking trails, (supervised swimming in summer). From the area, you can walk to the Cascade de Glandieu (Glandieu Waterfall) (5 km), where water gushes out from over 60 metres high for an impressive natural spectacle.

• Heritage and History : Explore the Mont de Cordon for its viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the river. Discover the prehistoric caves and the Château de la Barre (private, visible from the outside).

• Le Ramequin du Bugey : A local specialty not to be missed! It is a small dry cheese that is generally eaten melted for a creamy texture. Its flavour is strong, and it is traditionally enjoyed with bread. Take advantage of your location in the Bugey to look for local farm cheeses or grape-derived products.

• Le Bistrot de La Cascade (The Waterfall Bistro): Located near the Glandieu Waterfall (2 km), this family restaurant offers traditional French cuisine and provides a pleasant setting by the water. Ideal for lunch after the walk to the waterfall!

Head towards Savoy, and more precisely towards Aix-les-Bains. This spa town, full of history and nicknamed the French Riviera of the Alps, is ideally located on the shores of the majestic Lac du Bourget (Lake Bourget), the largest natural lake in France.

To discover:

• Gourmet Activity: Fromagerie de Saint-Ours (Saint-Ours Cheese Dairy) (15 min) offers self-guided tours of the cheese dairy and tastings of local cheeses, notably Tomme de Saint-Ours and Tome des Bauges AOP.
• Lake and Water Sports : Enjoy the beaches and activities on Lac du Bourget. Take a cruise to admire the landscapes, notably the Abbaye d’Hautecombe (necropolis of the Dukes of Savoy), accessible by boat or road.
• Thermalism and History : Enjoy the Roman Baths for a moment of well-being and relaxation (treatments, spa). Admire the Arc de Campanús (Roman remains),

the Casino Grand Cercle (famous for its mosaics) and the architecture of the old palaces.

• Mont Revard : Accessible by car, it offers a spectacular viewpoint with glass pontoons for a breathtaking view of the lake, the Bauges, and Mont Blanc.

Cheeses:

• The Must-Try Savoy Cheeses (AOP) : Taste the famous Beaufort, the Tome des Bauges, or the Reblochon (ideal for tartiflette).
• Mountain Dishes : Take advantage of local restaurants to taste a real Tartiflette, a Raclette or a Fondue Savoyarde for a convivial moment.
• Honey and Sweets : Taste the honey from the alpine pastures and the various local confections, often based on walnuts.

Wines:

• Savoy Wines (AOC) : The Savoy vineyard, a direct neighbour of Aix-les-Bains, is renowned for its dry white wines:
  • Jacquère : Fresh and light, perfect for an aperitif.
  • Chignin-Bergeron (Roussanne) : More structured, excellent with local cuisine.

End your tour in apotheosis in the Beaufortain, in the heart of the Alps. Whether your choice falls on the warm atmosphere of Hauteluce or the charm of the Villard-sur-Doron valley, you will surely be in paradise for wide open spaces and local products!

To discover:

• Leaving Aix-les-Bains for the Beaufortain : Take a break in Albertville to discover the Medieval City of Conflans. This stop is a must, with its paved streets and preserved historical atmosphere.

• L’Église Saint-Jacques-d’Assyrie (St. James of Assyria Church): One of the most beautiful baroque churches in the region (typical Beaufortain heritage).
• View of Mont-Blanc : Enjoy spectacular panoramas from the heights of the Saisies domain or the Refuge de la Croix de Pierre.
• Must-Do Hikes : For a short and accessible walk, reach the Lac de la Lézette (4.7 km, moderate level) or embark on a day trip (medium to difficult level) towards the spectacular dams and mountain lakes, such as the famous Lac de Roselend.
• Rail Luge (Mountain Twister) : In Les Saisies, a fun activity for all ages.
• Le Signal Aquatic Centre : For a well-being and regeneration break, enjoy the pools (indoor/outdoor) and the relaxation area.

• Direct Purchase of Beaufort (On site / Less than 10 min) :
  • Direct purchase of Beaufort : Visit the shops of the SICA La Beaufortaine or the Coopérative Laitière de Moûtiers located in the village of Hauteluce or at the Les Saisies resort. This is the opportunity to buy your Beaufort (AOP) and to taste specific maturations (summer Beaufort, alpine pasture Beaufort).
• Meet the Producer:
  • Visit the Ferme de Mlle Clémence (in Hauteluce) for a direct purchase of yoghurts, fresh cheeses, and other local dairy products.
• Cured Meats : Savour the local Country Hams and Dry Sausages, often wood-smoked.