Pont-d'Ain is a town of Ain, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 11 km north of Ambérieu-en-Bugey.
It owes its name to the presence in ancient times and the Middle Ages of a bridge that was the only way to cross the course of Ain in the region. The territory of the town extends on both sides of the river, and covers 11 km².
The village developed precisely because of its strategic position between natural and historical regions of Bugey, Revermont and Bresse, and its castle built in the fifteenth century was a popular residence of the dukes of Savoy. It's indeed Pont-d'Ain was born Louise of Savoy, mother of Francis.
With now some 3,000 inhabitants, the town has kept a rich heritage and a picturesque old center.
It is also popular with visitors and tourists for its protected environment conducive to hiking and the town is also very famous for its fishing course.
What a good time during a stage or a stay in the region.
Heritage Pont-d'Ain jewel is its fifteenth century castle, rebuilt and remodeled in the sixteenth to the nineteenth. Located on the foothills of Revermont, former seat of the local manor and residence of the dukes of Savoy, it comes in the form of a main building of three floors that covers a hipped roof enough "steep". It features rooms with wood paneling, a wooden staircase of the sixteenth century and a chapel. Outside, are visible remains of medieval walls and towers remains. The park is planted with mature trees. Included in the Inventory, the area above the village is private and can not be visited, but the site can be seen from the outside.
On the religious level, the parish was long a dependency of the monastery of Oussiat (now mere hamlet on the east of the territory). The present church dates from 1872, built in a Romanesque style. Note its rosette ten branches with its stained glass windows.
See also the chapel of Catherinette, in a picturesque site, dating from 1845 but having then succeeded the earlier buildings related to the castle. An association brings together enthusiasts who undertook its restoration.
In the same village, which is accessed either from the banks of the Ain or from an old door (Porte de France), the Convert mill (nineteenth) reflecting industrial activity and milling of old, but also houses old (dating back to some of the fourteenth), a hall nineteenth, quaint and narrow streets (like the thief Goulet) punctuate a pleasant walk.
Hikers (walking or cycling) can then give heart to joy whatsoever along the river in the plain or in the hills above the town. Among the most popular trails, the saving Mount Olivet, which overlooks the river and the road leading to Pont-d'Ain Oussiat. The loop is 10 km long without presenting difficulties but through green landscapes. For this marked path or other routes possibly including incursions in nearby cities, cards and information +33 4 74 39 05 84 or +33 4 74 37 23 14.
Still on the kind of sport and recreation from May to September a canoe basic incentive to discover other landscapes (information +33 6 08 78 98 78). In some courts, should be reserved to a short +33 4 74 39 01 72, and finally, in a register but less bucolic recreational, karting is open all year street Lakes (information +33 6 59 14 01 11).
There remains to mention the superb fishing course dedicated to trout (but char and other white fish are also present in the waters of Ain, very fishy about the town because of dams established on its way). All information +33 6 41 34 17 23.