Tower of Montcel

Treffort is the junction between the Bresse plain and the Revermont. A village of character, it has preserved its medieval layout and winegrowers' houses, and its streets are dotted with a number of interesting fountains.Treffort's history is recorded as far back as 974 (Trefortium), with the construction of the first fortified house, but there's no doubt that the site was inhabited long before that, particularly in the Gallo-Roman period. Clinging to the first ranges of the Jura, Treffort is a perched village that has retained its medieval layout. Lordship of the Counts of Burgundy, the town also belonged to the Lord of Coligny, to whom we owe the construction of the castle, and to the Lord of La Tour du Pin, who granted a charter of franchise to the inhabitants but had to cede Treffort to the Count of Savoy in 1289. The latter endowed the town with ramparts, pierced by at least six gates and defended by over thirty towers, the remains of which can still be seen today. In 1601, Treffort became part of the kingdom of France under the Treaty of Lyon. Vines also shaped the town for over a thousand years, until the arrival of Phylloxera and the First World War. Today, Comté replaces the Cavets' "p'tit vin" (nickname for the inhabitants of Revermont). Treffort was once a border town with Franche-Comté, which lies just beyond the mountain. Several times under siege, the town regained its serenity when the Comté was annexed to France in 1678. The remains of the castle (now privately owned) can still be seen from this defensive period, and you can stroll along the covered walkway that runs alongside the ancient ramparts on the valley side. Built by the Savoyards, they were pierced by at least six gates and topped by over thirty towers, and were as high as the church itself. The fortified house of the early Middle Ages was transformed in the 13th century under the impetus of the Sires de Coligny. It became a defensive castle, reinforced by eight towers, one of which served as an entrance to the south. It occupied a quadrilateral measuring 60 m x 43 m, protected to the south by a moat and drawbridge, and to the north by a trench dug into the rock, now used as a road. It was ravaged in the 16th century and transformed into a stone quarry (numerous reuses can be seen throughout the village). It was bought and partly rebuilt by Tony Ferret (1851-1923), architect of the Ain department. Rue Pelot: toponym from the Franco-Provencal ""pêl"" (hair), in connection with the skin-working industry or ""pelo"" (gruel) and the presence of grain threshing floors. The tanners found water here from the Nacaretan, an essential stream for their work away from the town, to avoid the unpleasant smell of the hides. The courtyards of the houses (on the right-hand side of the street) at the foot of the old ramparts were once used as threshing floors. Fontaine des trois jets (Three-spout fountain): this extraordinary development meant that residents no longer had to fetch water from outside the village. Legend has it that in good harvest years, wine flowed freely from this fountain. Carrouge fountain (1850): on the site of a former house (remains of a chimney, wall niches...). Carrouge, from the Latin "quadrivium", means crossroads of four roads. Rue Ferrachat: from Latin ""ferrarius"" (blacksmith) or ""ferratus"" (iron-clad). A Roman cistern lies beneath the street. Sink spouts protruding from the facades. Bridge house: this facade features mullioned windows, a basket-handle door lintel and, above all, a staircase known as a "bridge". It provided access to the house, which was elevated above the street because of the wine cellar, which was semi-buried in the rock. The other bridges were demolished in the 19th century to facilitate traffic. The hollow pillar (reused) was filled with water and used by the wheelwright to cool the metal strapping on the cartwheels and tighten them. Rue du Fiscal: led directly to the former châtellenie, where taxes were collected. Les halles: Dating from the 14th century, these were originally made of wooden pillars and wattle-and-daub walls, and hosted the market every Thursday morning. Afternoons were reserved for public audiences held by the châtelain. Destroyed by fire, they were rebuilt in the 14th century. Notre Dame de l'Assomption church (14th century) is located at the top of the village, near the castle. Its steeple was built with the help of the monks of Nantua, while the nave was left to the villagers and hastily covered. This explains the discrepancy between the nave and the bell tower. The façade was richly decorated in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Virgin and Child is sheltered by a Gothic-style canopy. On either side of the entrance portal, three coats of arms celebrate the return of Bresse and Revermont to the House of Savoy, through the marriage of Duke Emmanuel-Philibert of Savoy to François I's daughter, Marguerite de France. The cross over the gable is pierced by an oculus, and its center features fleur-de-lys branches. Inside, the Louis XIV-style stalls are remarkable. The carved medallions depict the life of Saint-Bruno, founder of the Carthusian order, from the time he took the habit to his death.

A former estate of the Counts of Savoy and architect Tony Ferret, Château de Treffort in the Ain department overlooks Bresse from the Revermont mountains.Come and discover Treffort castle, its history, the monument, meet Amédée V and Tony Ferret, its two emblematic occupants, and enjoy a magnificent setting on the heights of the village. The château museum comprises ten rooms, divided into two zones: the château entrance with the Tour Tony Ferret (8 rooms) and the Tour du Papegai (2 rooms). Visitors discover the history of the château, from its construction in the Middle Ages to its renovation by Tony Ferret in the 20th century. The tour explores several centuries of history, including seigniorial life and the family of Amédée V, the château's first Savoyard owner. Activities: - An outdoor games area for children aged 5 and over. - Screening of a story with subtitles. - Reproductions of weapons of war from different eras. - Historical lectures inside the château. - A booklet of games has been designed for children. It will be handed out free of charge at the entrance. Guided by the characters Huguette, Louis and the dog Damelot, they can discover the history of the château and its occupants through observation games and riddles. Services : - The gîte: a character house that can accommodate up to 10 people. It is located just a few meters from the château, in the village of Treffort. It offers a breathtaking view of the Bresse from the bedrooms and garden. The gîte is open all year round, by reservation only with the château. - The boutique: The boutique offers a variety of local products (honey, chocolate, oil, etc.), a selection of books, handicrafts (jewelry, stationery, etc.) and wooden toys. The store is open during museum opening hours and for special events. - The Château's pizzas are available to eat in or take away on Friday evenings all year round.

The Maison de Pays en Bresse Ecomuseum lets you travel back in time and discover Bresse from the 15th to the 19th century.The site covers more than 2 hectares, with 4 traditional buildings, 12 rooms to visit and thousands of period objects on the daily life of Bresse farmers, their skills, traditional costumes, farming tools and machinery of yesteryear... The history of this museum is incredible: the traditional buildings were saved from destruction, completely dismantled and rebuilt identically on the site of the ecomuseum. A unique opportunity to discover a 15th-century farmhouse, a 17th-century working farm, a period oven, a former tile factory... A barefoot trail for children, wooden games and a forest park complete the visit in a rejuvenating setting. Visits are free of charge. Guided tours by prior arrangement for groups of 10 or more. Last admission 1 hour before closing time. A games booklet for children is available on request and free of charge at reception. Workshops are offered during school vacations.

Located at the foot of the Revermont mountains, the Grange du Pin leisure and nature center welcomes you for the new season.Located in Cuisiat, in the commune of Val-Revermont, you can discover the rich past of this small part of the Ain region, as well as a pleasant mid-mountain setting close to Monts Myon, Verjon and Châtel. La Grange du Pin is first and foremost an 8-hectare lake where you can enjoy a swim or a spot of fishing. You can also walk around the lake on a well-maintained footpath. For lovers of the great outdoors, it's also a newly-renovated campsite, offering 75 spacious, shady pitches, as well as a dozen comfortable accommodations for 4 or 5 occupants. In this natural, unspoilt setting, you can relax with family or friends over a picnic, for example, and enjoy a wide range of physical and natural activities on site or nearby: supervised swimming, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, children's games, pétanque, soccer, basketball or volleyball... You'll also find on-site catering (Restaurant Grange du Pin), as well as an accrobranche course....(arbres et sens Aventure ) Supervised mountain-bike outings and mountain-bike hire on site: booking required. Barbecue, public WC, Wifi Internet access, meeting room.