Poncin: History, Wine and Routes

If you’re looking for a hotel in Poncin, the kind of days you have planned can make all the difference when choosing your destination: the town brings together historic buildings, wine tastings and outdoor activities. The château, old streets and churches tell different chapters of the town’s history; trails lead through the forest and along the Ain.

Historic Poncin and its buildings

The historic town includes 13th-century ramparts. Their walls are pierced by loopholes and reinforced with towers. The historic streets are lined with late-medieval houses with arcades, as well as the courtyards of manor houses dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. The townscape brings together architectural styles from different periods.

The Château de Poncin was rebuilt as a pleasure residence and designated a historic monument. It is partially protected; the designation was registered on 12 March 1970. It covers the façades and roofs, remains of the former fortifications, terraces, a retaining wall and gardens. Another historic feature is the Tour Bouvent, an octagonal Renaissance tower designated “classée.”

The Church of Saint-Martin also offers several points of historical interest: it was built in 1886–1887 on the site of an older church that had been demolished. Inside are 19th-century stained-glass windows made by the Atelier Beyssac workshop, as well as an exceptional Vierge en Majesté, designated a historic monument.

In the Middle Ages, the Château de La Cueille was a fortress and a place of exchange and trade on the banks of the Ain. It occasionally opens to the public, for example during the Fête de la musique. If you’re planning a visit, check the latest dates in advance.

Wine tastings, art and village architecture

Poncin’s winemakers welcome visitors for wine tastings in Allement, Breignes, La Cueille and Leymiat. The selection includes Bugey Cerdon, Gamay, Pinot and Chardonnay, as well as Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay made using the traditional method. Marc du Bugey and Fine du Bugey are also available. As arrangements vary between winemakers, it’s best to arrange a tasting directly with them.

Leymiat preserves the architecture of a wine-growing village: the stable adjoins the cellar, while the living quarters are upstairs and accessed by an outside staircase. The two main streets are also home to a chapel and traditional bread ovens. These details give the hamlet a distinctive architectural character among the settlements of Poncin.

Art is also part of the cultural offering. The annual Salon des Arts plastiques takes place in November; check the specific dates before your trip. The Maison des Arts gallery hosts around ten exhibitions, depending on its changing annual program. If you’d like to plan your stay around an exhibition or event, it’s worth checking the relevant dates.

Hikes, water and cycling routes

The Balade des Roches is an easy five-kilometre circular trail starting in Poncin. Suitable for families, the route runs mostly through the forest and leads to the Belvédère des Roches. From there, you can see Île Chambod and the hamlet of Merpuis. The route description was last updated on 8 June 2021; check trail conditions before setting out.

For a longer cycling trip, the 59-kilometre circular route Et au milieu coule une rivière starts in Poncin. It follows both banks of the Gorges de l’Ain and returns via Cize, Hautecourt and Île Chambod. The Route du Bugey also starts in Poncin: it passes through the vineyards of Cerdon and about a dozen villages, along small scenic roads beside the Ain. Conditions and signage for either route may change; check the latest information before setting off.

The Base nautique leisure facility in Poncin includes a 20-hectare island, 15 kilometres of navigable water, an equipped beach and water-sports jetties. In the area around Île Chambod-Merpuis, summer activities include cycling, hiking, pedal boating and stand-up paddleboarding. When planning, note the difference between the routes: the Balade des Roches is a five-kilometre hike, while the cycling loop is 59 kilometres; water activities in the area are seasonal.

Discover more destinations: Chazey-sur-Ain, Bourg-Saint-Christophe, Priay, Ars-Sur-Formans, Saint-Bois, Pérouges, Mogneneins, Villieu-Loyes-Mollon

For the regional travel overview: Ain.