Camping municipal Les Babelles: discover Chindrieux

This hike takes you through a beautiful crack of 10 m high and 90 m long with splendid views of the Lac du Bourget.

Viewpoint above the village of Chindrieux with 180° views of Lac du Bourget and Le Colombier. A short out-and-back route above Chindrieux.

After riding through the Peupleraie and Marais de Chautagne, stop at the Plage de Châtillon to enjoy views over the lake. Go around the Mollard de Vions, and ride alongside the Rhône to finish your loop. Set off from the Camping les Peupliers or the Plage de Châtillon, both situated in Chindrieux, or the Vions village hall, and follow the marked paths. This circuit is ideal for family groups. Inaccessible during hunting season and during heavy rain. IGN map reference: 3331OT. Variation possible along the Canal de Savière (adds 10km and 10m of elevation change to the route).

Ride along this bikepath, which offers a complete tour around the Lac du Bourget. Discover a panoramic view of the lake from the Châtillon Beach and the Abbaye d'Hautecombe and take a detour to the charming village of Chanaz. Set off from either the train stations in Chindrieux or Vions, Chanaz or the Abbaye d'Hautecombe. Ideal for an active outing in a group or with friends. Not recommended during the hunting season or in heavy rain. IGN map reference: Top 25 3331OT.

The “Sapenay Tour” walk will take you through the forest and on a nice scenic road – great views over the Lac du Bourget guaranteed! The trail starts just before the Chapel, on the parking lot named “La Carrière”. Yellow signs will indicate either “Tour du Sapenay” or “Col du Sapenay”. Take the large forest trail at the end of the parking lot. When you reach “Les Masures” (yellow signs), go straight towards “Col du Sapenay“. On the way, a viewpoint will let you admire remote parts of Cessens as well as the Bauges mountain range. You will then come to another yellow sign, named “Le Tuyau”. From here you can either follow the normal hike or take the alternate – and shorter – one. If you decide to go for the main one, keep going straight, still towards “Col du Sapenay“. The trails slightly goes up to “Pre Reinet” then goes down to a forest road in Le Sapenay. The walk continues on a paved and scenic road across the Sapenay site. After nearly 2,5km, you will reach a sharp turn : take a left into the stony trail and then a right at the crossraod called “Fornay”. Following this path, you will arrive to a little chapel, right next to the parking lot you departed from. Comment: there are a few sightseeing areas along the road – paragliding, hang gliding, view points over the Lac du Bourget and the Chautagne area. It is highly recommended to take the time and check them out. Alternate “Sapenay Tour” If you prefer the shorter walk, take the trail on your left at the crossroad called “Le Tuyau”. This is a forest path, going up in the forest and along the Sapenay meadows. You will discover a beautiful view over the Lac du Bourget at the place called “Fornay” (with yet some other yellow signs). Follow the trail straight ahead. It will lead you to a small chapel and back to your car.

The twists and turns of this pass, traced under dense forest cover, offer a number of viewpoints over the Chautagne region and the formidable Grand Colombier. This pass has a total of 750 Points for the square rating.

Nice ride, suitable for families, alternating between forests and pastures. Beautifull points of view on the Albanais, and the Savoie.

This hike offers you 2 loop tours with a central point at the summit of Clergeon at an altitude of 1025 m. The small loop tour is 3 hrs long and the big loop tour is 5 hrs long, for a distance of 8.9 km. You climb to the Grande Cuve before looking out over the Chautagne poplar forest.

Set off on a family excursion above Vions. Climb the Mollard Trail to discover the Rhone plain and the Chautagne marsh. Rub shoulders with history when you pass in front of the Commandery that belonged to the Order of the Knights Templar.

Nice ride, suitable for families. Beautiful points of view, at the end of the hikking, with the table of orientation.

Located on the forest’s edge, 3.1 miles from the Lac du Bourget, the Camping Saumont offers a swimming pool, paddling pool and many activities: cross-country biking, tennis, badminton, canoeing, evening activities, and a nursery. Member of Camping Qualité.

Discover the Canal de Savière and the Lac du Bourget and transit the River Rhone canal through a lock on board comfortable and spacious boats, with upper decks (accessible to people with reduced mobility).

Rental of bikes, mountain bikes and electric bikes to explore the ViaRhôna bike path, the trails and the Chautagne vineyard path, not to mention the little lanes overlooking the Lac du Bourget and the Abbeye d'Hautecombe.

In a charming setting with a view of the Rhône, the Hotel-Restaurant L'Auberge de la Paillère has 14 rooms equipped with private bathroom. On the spot a restaurant with terrace offering traditional cuisine and specialities. The hotel has 11 double rooms, 2 triple rooms and one family room, all fitted with showers or baths. The establishment has a large bar at the entrance and a large restaurant, with a capacity for more than 200 seats, completely renovated and tastefully decorated. A second room of 50 places, on the park side, can be privatized. On the courtyard side, the kiosk, with a capacity of 70 to 80 places, can be used for meetings or company seminars, with the possibility of breakfast or buffet. Ideal for groups: the Auberge de la Paillère also has several boat landing stages for river cruises.

Facing the lake, on the terrace or the veranda, come and taste lake fish or fried perch. Traditional cuisine 10 minutes from Aix-les-Bains.

This very pleasant walk will plunge you into the heart of the Lavours Marsh Nature Reserve. You'll be able to appreciate its beauty and richness. Be attentive and discreet... at every hour and in every season, something is happening in the marsh. A 320 m² discovery area, consisting of 5 themed rooms, the Maison du marais offers a modern and interactive museography (videos, interactive terminals, etc.) to help you understand the fauna and flora of the marsh, its history, its formation and its current management. The Maison du marais aims to prepare for a visit to the nature reserve or to complete it. It is also an information point, a nature shop and a refreshment bar.

A family-run business for 4 generations, Caveau Quinard, whose vines are located on the high banks of the Rhône Valley in Massignieu-de-Rives, close to the ViaRhôna, has been organically farmed since 2010. The Quinard estate has 14 hectares of vineyards. The vineyard is organically farmed. The Quinard wine cellar is also committed to hospitality: a smile is de rigueur, wine tasting is offered, and numerous tourist brochures are available to customers. The estate committed to organic farming in 2009, when the entire vineyard was converted to organic methods. No synthetic products (herbicides, insecticides) or chemical fertilisers are used. The vines are treated only with minerals and plants in order to produce the healthiest grapes possible. The winemaking process is therefore traditional. This involves more manual labour (ploughing every other row, leaving the other rows grassed over) which makes it easier to move equipment around. The estate's wines: Bugey white (Chardonnay, Côteaux de Sous Nants, Roussette) Bugey red (Gamay, Pinot Noir, Hautins de Poirin, Mondeuse) Traditional method (Bugey Brut, Brut Rosé, Demoiselles Quinard) Ancestral method (Rosé Quinard) Marc du Bugey

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.

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.).

The Sapenay Plateau is a vast natural and agricultural landscape overlooking the Lac du Bourget. The Col du Sapenay (altitude: 897 m) is one of the few passes along the long cliff overlooking the lake. For many centuries, the Col du Sapenay has allowed travel between Chautagne and Albanais. Today, Sapenay is both a remarkable viewpoint and a famous hang-gliding spot.

A lookout at the foot of the ruins of Château Neuf. An orientation table shows the countryside around the Lac du Bourget, Chautagne and the surrounding mountains. For safety reasons, entering the ruins is strictly prohibited. A bit of history about Les Tours de César: We do not know much about the Chateaux de Cessans, but there are still significant ruins from the château named 'Château Neuf', as opposed to 'Château-Vieux', of which there is almost nothing remaining. These two châteaux are very close together, and guard the Col de Cessens passage, which you can still access by what is commonly (and mistakenly) known as a Roman road. This perfectly paved road actually dates from after the Roman era. Le Château-Neuf, seemingly built in the 13th century, was still inhabited in 1608, but was severely damaged by the French army in the 17th century. Today, we still call these ruins 'Tours de César'.

Nicknamed 'Savoie's Little Venice', Chanaz lies on the banks of the Canal de Savière. This village has kept all of its original charm, with its traditional houses and water and flowers throughout the village. In this harmonious and pristine environment of water, mountains and nature, there are many aspects that visitors adore: navigating yachts, locks, leisure areas, water fun, a wide range of sports and activities, ancient craftsmanship, local produce, ancient architecture and a rural setting are the benefits of this tourist-focused rural village. The frequent passage of boats and visitors creates a lively and friendly atmosphere.

The Canal de Savière winds across almost 4 km from Portout to Chanaz, where the only lock in the whole of Savoy lets boats enter the Haut-Rhône. It attracts many pleasure boaters with its romantic atmosphere.

Come and discover the world of the Portout potters who settled on the banks of the Savière Canal in the first half of the 5th century AD. Free admission. Come and discover the world of the potters of Portout, who lived on the banks of the Canal de Savière during the first half of the 5th century A.D. Over the course of 3 rooms in a 15th-century Gothic chapel, the museum follows the history, daily life and work of these Gallo-Roman craftsmen, specialists in producing 'céramique luisant' (glazed ceramics). Pottery, currency, jewels, amphora, bones and other common objects will give you a greater insight into their way of life.

Overlooking the village of Chanaz, the last 3 water mills, dating from 1868, await you. Surrounded by the smell of crushed and heated walnuts, you can listen to the miller tell you about his trade. Overlooking the village of Chanaz, you will explore this oil mill, still in use today. Drawn in by the scent of nuts, you will enter a place where time stands still! You can see the work of the mill-worker, who will be sharing their passion: work done according to the rules of the craft and respecting tradition. At the end of the visit, you will have the opportunity to try freshly-pressed oil, and taste the different nut jams. Don't forget to taste the caramelised nuts! The mill has been restored and classed as a historic monument. The mill-worker uses traditional techniques, to the backdrop of the purring of cogs transferring hydraulic energy. These processes produce excellent nut oils, with colours and aromas thought to have been lost forever... and let's not forget the mustards and jams!

This is one of the most beautiful lookouts from which to admire the Lac du Bourget, (the largest natural lake in France), in its entirety, as well as the Abbaye d'Hautecombe. This lookout has been visited since 1882, including by Queen Victoria in 1887. Rooftop terrace with a panoramic view and viewpoint indicator, accessible via stairs. 360° views over the Alps and surrounding area.

A church and a royal abbey, 2 styles for one architect: Ernest Mélano. Under the dome of the parish church, the only one of its kind in Savoie, the guide recounts Hautecombe's medieval history and the conditions under which it was restored in the 19th century. Complementary audio tour of Hautecombe Abbey.

From father to son, Villamor has selected for you in its shop a remarkable collection of objets d'art, copperware, iron, brass, jewelry ... You will appreciate the warm welcome and the quality of the creations. Discover the factory, where the Artist will give you a demonstration of the embossing technique, old-fashioned work. He is one of the last copper craftsmen in France. Sons of Companion.

Located in a wooded area in the delightful town of Culoz this outdoor activity centre has all you will need for a relaxing break. Lake (supervised swimming from late June to late August, in the afternoons), mini golf, pump track, basketball court and multi-sports ground Le Plan d’Eau Base de Loisirs de Culoz is situated near the River Rhône underneath the majestic Grand Colombier. This activity centre has its own well laid out campsite with 78 comfortable, shaded encampments available. There is also an artificial lake that is ideal for swimming. The lake is fully supervised during the summer season and is not too deep so it is suitable for children. Also for the younger visitors there is a playground. For the not so young there are 2 tennis courts, a volley ball court, basketball hoops, a mini golf course, an area for playing boules and a large grassy area where one can enjoy other sports such as football. Additionally if you are feeling very fit there is a 1,200m assault course open to all visitors.

A lakeside restaurant in an exceptional location, facing South and sheltered from the North wind. Come and discover our inventive menu with fish from the lake, quality meats, cocktails and tapas.

Bar, restaurant, ice cream parlor between the lake and the canal. All-you-can-eat shrimp on the grill on Monday evenings from May to September. Frog legs, fried perch, lavaret. L'Auberge de Portout invites you to authenticity with gourmet meals, with local products. You will appreciate the charm of the restaurant, its terrace and garden. For the smaller ones, a playground area (swing and trampoline) is installed in the garden.

Overlooks the whole of Lake Bourget and serves a seasonal cuisine featuring fresh regional products.

Inventive cuisine based on fresh seasonal produce, with a twist of world flavours in a warm, cosy setting. Discover our conviviality by enjoying our dishes to share or by reserving our "grande tablée" for 9 to 12 people. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday for lunch, and Friday and Saturday evenings. Every other Saturday morning, from 9am to 11.30am, the chef offers cooking workshops for small groups. On the last Sunday of each month, brunch is served: the first sitting at 11 a.m. and the second at 1.30 p.m. The restaurant dining room is available for hire when the restaurant is closed. It can also be hired for private functions (projection equipment available).

Facing the lake, on the terrace or the veranda, come and taste lake fish or fried perch. Traditional cuisine 10 minutes from Aix-les-Bains.

At Le Skiff brasserie, enjoy a gourmet break overlooking Lake Bourget. From our sunny cocktails to our generous seafood dishes, not to mention our tasty meals and exquisite desserts: a range of flavors available all year round.

The Crêperie du Port welcomes you with enthusiasm in an authentic and warm setting. The 100% buckwheat pancakes and other wheat pancakes are cooked with fresh quality products.

Brasserie and pizzeria with lake views. Menu includes pizzas, meat, fish and some Savoy specialities.

Brasserie with shaded terrace and lake views. Traditional cuisine with meat, fish, Savoy specialities and lake dishes.

Maître Restaurateur brasserie offering authentic cuisine made from fresh, local, and seasonal produce. Terrace facing Lake Bourget.

Old vineyard cellar facing South-West. Quiet area. Bright accommodation with charm and character. Panoramic view of the lake and Château Châtillon.

Located on the forest’s edge, 3.1 miles from the Lac du Bourget, the Camping Saumont offers a swimming pool, paddling pool and many activities: cross-country biking, tennis, badminton, canoeing, evening activities, and a nursery. Member of Camping Qualité.

The campsite welcomes you to discover the one thousand and one wonders of Chautagne: 27 pitches, 10 wooden bungalows and most recently 8 lakeside dwellings on pillars, including one accessible for people with reduced mobility. We offer: 25 plots for tents, caravans and motorhomes, 10 wood cottages and now also 8 luxury wood cabins on stilts. We promise to do everything to make your stay so enjoyable you’ll want to come back! It is also possible to rent a berth for your boat.

In a charming setting with a view of the Rhône, the Hotel-Restaurant L'Auberge de la Paillère has 14 rooms equipped with private bathroom. On the spot a restaurant with terrace offering traditional cuisine and specialities. The hotel has 11 double rooms, 2 triple rooms and one family room, all fitted with showers or baths. The establishment has a large bar at the entrance and a large restaurant, with a capacity for more than 200 seats, completely renovated and tastefully decorated. A second room of 50 places, on the park side, can be privatized. On the courtyard side, the kiosk, with a capacity of 70 to 80 places, can be used for meetings or company seminars, with the possibility of breakfast or buffet. Ideal for groups: the Auberge de la Paillère also has several boat landing stages for river cruises.

Pitches located near the lake, in the centre of the village. Parking permitted for 72 hrs. Wastewater drainage and drinking water refills.

67 pitches, near the village and shops (grocery, bakery, post office). Swimming area with life guard. "La Paillotte" Restaurant, entertainment, themed evenings. Mobile home and pitch rental. VACAF-approved campsite.

2 locations of camping cars are available. Ideally situated in the village of Vongnes, right by the forest and in a flowery frame, it is possible to stay one night for free (France Passion partnership) You can also taste our production of Bugey wines.

The Domaine de La Lavanche is a old 17th century monastic residence, a major place of the former Carthusian vineyards of Arvières, located at an altitude of 400 metres in Bugey Valromey, at the foot of the Grand Colombier.

La Lavanche is a former 17th-century monastery, converted into four flats and one dormitory, located in the centre of the 13-hectare estate of the former Chartreux d'Arvières vineyard, at an altitude of 400 metres at the foot of the Grand Colombier pass. The Jura: 65m² apartment, sleeps 6 with the living room sofa, 2 bedrooms, 1 fitted kitchen, 1 living room, 1 shower room, 1 toilet, terrace, barbecue, green space. The Domaine de La Lavanche also has a spring water pool where you can cool off after a hike or mountain bike ride on the marked trails through the woods. Trail runners can set off from the lodgings to climb the Grand Colombier, which rises more than 1,000 metres. Exceptional panoramic view of the Bugey, the Chartreuse massif and the Lavours nature reserve. For cyclists, there are cycling days: the Grand Colombier hairpin bend road is reserved for bicycles. Located half an hour from the slopes of the Plans d'Hotonnes resort and the wide open spaces of the Plateau de Retord, close to the Grande Traversée du Jura, the Ain à Cheval, the Via Rhôna in Culoz (9 km), and river cruises on the Haut Rhône canal and Lake Bourget. For your family events, birthdays, family reunions, weekends with friends, all the gîtes can be hired privately, with a total capacity of 45 beds: ‘Arvières’, ‘Le Jura’, ‘Le Colombier’, ‘Le Séran’, ‘Le Dortoir’, as well as a convivial room for 30 people equipped with a fitted kitchen, terrace, pergola and barbecue.