Aire de Plateau d'Hauteville

Plateau d'Hauteville (Ain, France)

The Plateau d'Hauteville, perched in the Bugey massif, offers a mid-mountain landscape of meadows, forests and valleys. The new commune brings together villages with stone houses and a history linked to pastoral activities and thermal tourism. The climate is marked by cool winters suitable for Nordic activities and calm summers for hiking. Visitors come for the soothing nature, the ridge panoramas and an authentic rural atmosphere.

Heritage and history

The Hauteville-Lompnes resort preserves traces of its thermal and holiday past from the 19th–20th centuries, visible in some villas and public buildings. Places of worship and small hamlets testify to a rural life focused on livestock and the forest. Local collections and interpretation panels often present the agricultural history and the exploitation of local resources.

Nature and landscapes

The area offers varied natural sites, from peatlands and wetlands to coniferous forests. The Lac Genin, known in the region, is a popular water spot for walks and wildlife watching. The panoramas toward the Bugey ridges and, in clear weather, toward the Jura massif offer beautiful viewpoints.

Outdoor activities

In winter, the plateau offers areas for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; in summer, hiking trails and mountain-bike tracks crisscross the territory. Fishing and family walks by ponds or along hedged paths are common. Visitor centers and waymarked routes make discovery easier.

Gastronomy and local products

Local cuisine highlights mountain products: farm cheeses, artisanal charcuterie and farm produce. Markets and small rural shops allow buying seasonal products and meeting producers.

Not to miss

• Lac Genin: walk by the lake and natural setting.
• Centre d'Hauteville-Lompnes: resort architecture and village atmosphere.
• Nordic ski routes: trails and loops in winter.
• Hiking trails: panoramas over the Bugey and the countryside.
• Local markets: farm products and regional specialties.