Hike : Lake and vineyards

The EARL Domaine Monin is housed in an old Savoyard fortified manor house in the village of Vongnes. Here M. Varin-Bernier will give you a warm welcome and offer advice about their choice of wines from their 400 year old vineyard.The EARL Domaine Monin has been open to the public since 1969 and is open for business 7 days a week until 19:00. The Monin family produces 2 varieties of white wine both from the Chardonnay grape as well as a rosé from a blend of Pinot-Noir, Gamay and Mondeuse. These 3 cépages are also used in the production of the Caveau Domaine Monin’s extensiverange of red wines. There are also 4 different types of sparkling wine available made using both the méthode ancestral and méthode traditionnelle techniques in addition to both Fine and Marc de Bugey digestives. The Caveau Domaine de Monin also has a gîte that can accommodate up to 6 guests available for rent.

This quiet and natural lake is a marvelous place to relax and swim in summer. Fishing is also allowed all year long.Paddleboarding and canoeing are not permitted. A 7 km (2-hour) hiking trail allows you to explore the area and admire the legends of Bugey carved into the rock: Gargantua and La Vouivre. Lake Barterand was awarded the "ENS" label by the Ain Department in 2017. True natural and landscaped gems of the Ain Department, sites awarded the ENS "Sensitive Natural Areas" label are managed to preserve the biodiversity they support and are designed for public access (except in exceptional circumstances due to the fragile environment). Of glacial origin, Lake Barterand and the Saint-Champ wetland are located on a former lake basin, two-thirds of which is now occupied by marshland. This site constitutes a natural area of ​​Bugey and presents significant ecological challenges. This sensitive natural area is made up of a mosaic of natural environments that are home to an exceptional diversity of species. The lake also offers pleasant moments of leisure and relaxation. Supervised swimming from June 15 to September 15, beach access: €2.50. From 6.30pm, everyone is responsible for their own safety.

Producer of Bugey wines since 1967, the Caveau Bugiste is renowned for the quality of its wines and its welcome. More than 30 vintages of AOC Bugey and IGP Vins des Coteaux de l'Ain are offered. The cellar also has two museums with free access.Nestled at the top of the village of Vongnes, the Caveau Bugiste offers you a complete reception area. After a stroll through the village, renowned for its flowers and authenticity, you can enjoy the following free of charge - the projection of a HD film "Tourism, viticulture and gastronomy in the Land of Brillat-Savarin" in several languages (French, English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, German, Japanese, Russian), - two museums with free access all year round: The Museum of Winegrowing Traditions, And the museum of tools of the stone trades, As well as an exceptional collection of more than 800 corkscrews and more than 500 liqueur glasses, - monthly exhibitions of paintings and sculptures inside the cellar, - numerous gift ideas and local products in the shop. Outside, there are games for children and a picnic area in the shade of monumental stone sculptures. Caveau wines: Bugey White, Red, Rosé and traditional method. PGI Côteaux de l'Ain wines. Marcs and Fines du Bugey. Manicle White and Red, Roussette de Virieu. The tasting is free for individuals. Formulas are available for groups. The Caveau Bugiste organises events throughout the year: open days, tasting walks in the vineyards, painting exhibitions, etc. Come and see some of the products on sale at the Belley Tourist Office.

The Maison Angelot is a family run vineyard in the small village of Marignieu north of Belley in the heart of rural Bugey. The vineyard is open 7 days a week and offers an extensive range of AOC Bugey wines, fines and marcs.The Angelot family, winegrowers from father to son, runs a 26 ha estate. In the 1960s, Maxime Angelot developed the sale of his few vintages in bottles. Philippe and Eric, his sons, expanded the production and dedicated the "Cuvée Maxime" to him in 1997. Their wines produced in the Bugey AOC, on their estate, are entirely marketed by them. Labelled HVE (High Environmental Value) for its actions in favour of biodiversity, the Maison Angelot also complies with the Independent Winegrower charter. The wines of the cellar: Bugey White, Bugey Red, Bugey Traditional Method, Bugey Rosé, Roussette du Bugey, Marc and Fine du Bugey. A walk through the vineyards is signposted from the cellar and is accessible all year round. Open days in March and gourmet weekend in December.

The museum contains tools related to the trades of quarrymen, stonecutters, masons and sculptors.In the barn, under the converted shed, the exhibition of old stone tools highlights the quality and importance of the work of all the generations of quarrymen and stonecutters in our villages. They built our castles, our churches, then our houses, our communal ovens, our wash houses. This exhibition also pays tribute to all our sculptor friends. Many sculptures are scattered around the village of Vongnes, near the Caveau Bugiste, including a sculpted mountain and in the Caveau sculptures in stone, many from Hauteville, and in wood. At the Caveau Bugiste : - Museum of Winegrowing Traditions - Collection of corkscrews (over 800) and liqueur glasses (over 500) - Vinorama "Tourism, Viticulture and Gastronomy in the Land of Brillat Savarin": documentary presenting the Ain, the Bugey, its history, its vineyards, its gastronomy, the cultivation of the vine, the vinification of the different grape varieties, the distillation and the ageing of alcohols. - Temporary exhibitions of painting and sculpture. - Tasting of wines from the cellar and local products (terrines, honeys, jams, oils, biscuits, sausages)

The Musée des Traditions Vigneronnes (Museum of Winegrowing Traditions) houses one of the largest and most beautiful collections of ancient tools (over 1300) and objects related to the work of the vine and wine. Throughout 3 rooms, this museum brings back to life thousand-year-old arts.The Musée des Traditions Vigneronne was born of the Caveau Bugiste's desire to preserve the memory of the gestures and skills of yesteryear. The exhibits come from the Caveau's own research, as well as from a personal collection built up over more than 20 years by Jean-Pierre Melin, an equally enthusiastic Bugiste. - Fossous, départoirs and échaudeuses recall the patient stages leading up to the grape's blossoming. - Rassiots, gauges and presses illustrate the skilful winemaking process. - Verdondaines, jabloirs and dolloires evoke the perfect mastery of the cooper. Many of these objects date from the 18th century, and some are rare and even unique. Au Caveau Bugiste : - Museum of stone tools - Collection of corkscrews (over 800) and liqueur glasses (over 500) - Vinorama “Tourism, Viticulture and Gastronomy in the Land of Brillat Savarin”: documentary presenting the Ain, Bugey, its history, vineyards, gastronomy, vine cultivation, vinification of different grape varieties, distillation and aging of spirits. - Temporary painting and sculpture exhibitions. - Tasting of wines from the cellar and local products (terrines, honeys, jams, oils, cookies, sausages, etc.).

Exhibitions of paintings, collages, photographs, sculptures etc. regularly renewed. Wide variety of works by local, amateur, knowledgeable or beginner artists.

Offers a great view on the Natural Reserve of Lavours and the surrounding mountains.