Nantua: Lake, Routes and City History

Discover Nantua through the Lac de Nantua, trails through forest and town, and a diverse cultural heritage. Local cuisine is also part of the destination’s character. To plan your trip, you can choose from activities on the lake, different routes, and historical and cultural themes.

The Lac de Nantua and trails through the landscape

The Lac de Nantua is of glacial origin and is classified as an Espace Naturel Sensible (ENS). You can rent and paddle canoes on the lake. This lets you experience the lake not only as a landscape, but also through an activity on the water.

The Sentier de la Vierge et des Diligences first passes through the forest and then into the town of Nantua. Along the way, the route offers insights into the town’s history and landscapes. The route is listed as taking approximately one hour and offering free access—a specific time estimate to help you plan your day.

The Circuit découverte de Nantua offers a different way to explore: this walking route passes through the town and is accompanied by information panels about its most remarkable features. The Tour du lac de Nantua, by contrast, focuses on the route around the lake. It is described as a secured route; 80 percent is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. As the route may change, check its current course before setting out.

The Tour des Fècles climbs a mountainside and offers open views of the lake and Nantua. On the plateau, the circular trail follows the cliff face to the Colonne viewpoint. The route to the Col de Belleroche leads from Nantua to the pass. The ascent runs through mountain meadows and coniferous forests; the maximum gradient is 9.4 percent. For trails on the slope and plateau, it is worth checking current trail conditions before setting out.

History, art and culture in Nantua

The Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation is located in Nantua’s former prison. Its themes range from the start of the war and daily life under the occupation to the Vichy regime, the Résistance and the Maquis, as well as Allied assistance and deportation. The museum holds the “Tourisme & Handicap” label for hearing, intellectual, mobility and visual accessibility.

The Abbatiale Saint-Michel also brings together different eras: it was built at the end of the 11th century on the site of an older Benedictine abbey and was designated a Monument historique in 1907. The Abbatiale houses Eugène Delacroix’s painting “Martyre de Saint-Sébastien.” The building’s history, heritage status and a specific work of art thus highlight different aspects of this place.

The Monument départemental aux déportés de l’Ain was created by Louis Leygue and inaugurated in 1949. It stands on an artificial esplanade that projects from the lakeshore into the water. Commemorative ceremonies are held there annually on December 14, the anniversary of the Nantua roundup, and on the last Sunday in April. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these dates, check the details of the events in advance.

The cultural offering also includes the municipal Cinéma Jean-Pierre Améris, with a varied film program and cultural events. As the program changes, it is best to check current screenings if you are planning a cinema visit. The Médiathèque Dubouillon welcomes visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as Fridays and Saturdays; its collection includes 30,000 resources. For specific visit planning, it is advisable to check the current opening hours.

Quenelle and local traditions

Quenelle sauce Nantua is the town’s emblematic dish. A tradition of its own celebrates this specialty: since 2008, the Confrérie de la Quenelle sauce Nantua has held the Fête de la Quenelle every year on the first weekend in October. This offers a specific culinary highlight for an autumn trip; check the dates and details of each year’s event before planning your trip around it.

At the Dégustation de quenelles au Comté, a tasting is led by a member of the Confrérie de la Quenelle sauce Nantua. Participation details may change, so you should check the specific information in advance. Together, the tasting and annual festival offer two different ways to connect with the local quenelle tradition.

Discover more destinations: Chazey-sur-Ain, Mionnay, Simandre-sur-Suran, Montréal-La-Cluse, Hotonnes, Treffort-Cuisiat, Replonges, Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne

For the overview of the wider region: Ain.