Corbonod: Mountain Trails and Cultural Heritage

Corbonod’s church and the trails around Grand Colombier offer contrasting experiences: one focuses on Gothic architecture and art, the other on summit panoramas and outdoor activities. Other outings take you through vineyards or to the Sur Lyand plateau. You can tailor your travel plans to the themes that interest you most.

Grand Colombier and Sur Lyand

Grand Colombier reaches an elevation of 1,534 metres. From the summit, enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view. The mountain is accessible by car or bicycle and offers numerous hiking opportunities. The GR9 long-distance hiking trail also crosses Grand Colombier. Activities available there include hiking, horse riding and cycling. In 2017, the Ain department designated Grand Colombier an ENS, a sensitive natural area.

Sur Lyand lies on the right bank of the Rhône, in the southern part of the Grand Colombier massif. There are opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Winter activities depend on snow conditions. Panoramic views from Sur Lyand include the Alps, Mont Blanc and three lakes. Those interested in viewpoints will also find plenty of them along the Boucle des Platières. From the ridges of Sur-Lyand near the Griffe du Diable, you can see the Alpine lakes of Annecy, du Bourget and Léman.

Loop Trails Through Vineyards and Mountain Pastures

The Boucle des Platières is rated moderate and leads through forests, over ridges and across the mountain pastures of the Sur-Lyand / Grand Colombier Nordic area. It connects several types of landscape along a single route. For detailed planning, check the latest route information.

Another destination is the Cascade d’Eilloux loop, which leads to a waterfall in the hamlet of Eilloux and passes through the vineyards of Corbonod. The Sentier des Chevaliers de l'Altesse is another outing through vineyards. This treasure hunt also takes you through places called Seyssel in the Ain and Haute-Savoie departments. Use a booklet to find markers, solve riddles and decipher a code. Check locally to see if the booklet is available.

Activities on the Plateau

On the Sur Lyand plateau, “Sur la piste d'envol des dinosaures” offers a fun orienteering course that is particularly suitable for children. Participants answer questions and search for checkpoints to discover the plateau’s features. If you plan to take part, check in advance whether the local materials are available.

The family-friendly Croix Famban loop starts at the Sur-Lyand cross-country ski centre and leads across the plateau and its mountain pastures. Trail conditions may vary by season. The Croix de Famban is a different landmark: this wooden cross stands on departmental road 123 at an elevation of 1,250 metres, in the direction of Col de la Biche.

Church and Earlier Traces

The church of Corbonod is built in the Gothic style. Its architectural history is also reflected in the bell tower: in 1721, it was moved from its original position above the choir and rebuilt in front of the entrance. Most of the many gilded wooden statues are in the choir. They include a statue of Saint Maurice, the patron saint of the church.

Archaeological traces also form part of the history of the municipality: Gallo-Roman remains have been discovered at several sites. Together with the church, these offer different perspectives on cultural history, from the building’s architecture and statues to remains from the Gallo-Roman period.

Discover more destinations: Nantua, Loyettes, Messimy-Sur-Saône, Chazey-sur-Ain, Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois, Chavannes-Sur-Suran, Bellegarde-Sur-Valserine, Bohas-Meyriat-Rignat.

For the main travel overview: Ain.