Val-d'Épy is a village in the Jura, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, bordering the Ain, about thirty kilometers north-east of Bourg-en-Bresse.
The town was created on 1 January 2016 following the merger of Val-d'Épy (150 inhabitants), Florentia (31 inhabitants), Nantey (64 inhabitants) and Senaud (50 inhabitants). On 1 January 2018, La Balme d'Epy will integrate (72 inhabitants) this new entity which will have a total of some 370 inhabitants.
Located on the borders of the natural region of Bresse, in a rural area that is similar to the middle mountain, with an altitude ranging from 285 to 620 m, the territory of Val-d'Épy adjoins the southern vineyard of Jura. It always produces famous cheese appellation.
Some elements of heritage and especially the quality of the environment of the new town will attract lovers of green tourism passing through the region.
At the former village of Val-d'Épy, there is the church, dedicated to St. Victor and St. Ursus. It consists of a nave, two chapels, a rectangular sanctuary and a sacristy. The bell tower is crowned by a pyramid-shaped arrow, covered with tiles. Inside, the narrower and older choir than the nave dates from the 13th century. Several classified works are to be observed: a bas-relief and two stone sculptures.
In terms of "small" heritage, we note that several fountains, laundries and wells punctuate the territory.
On the old town of La Balme d'Epy, it is the cave away from homes that deserves a detour. A small brook comes out from a submerged network and nearby galleries are popular caving specialists. The site of the cave has been the subject of religious and religious practices since prehistoric times. Place of veneration first (a burial of the fourth century and objects uncovered during excavations attest to Druidic practices), the cave became a place of pilgrimage always frequented on August 15th. A statue of the Virgin was placed in the cave and a chapel adjoins the site.
The nearby river is also a popular place to relax.
On Nantey, the church already mentioned in the 13th century can be worth a detour. We will notice the small stream of Creuse that once fed two mills and a hemp beater. This activity is no more, but the village remains famous for its cheese tradition. A local unit perpetuates this know-how, transforming the milk into a county (raw pressed-cooked raw milk cheese, benefiting from a Protected Designation of Origin, which requires a ripening of at least four months). Possible visit of the facilities with tasting. Information on +33 3 84 48 74 16.
Finally, at the level of Senaud, on the edge of the so-called Petite Montagne region, we will appreciate, when the winter comes to an end, the soils of the forests bordering the small authentic village that are covered with real daffodil rugs...
Always on Senaud, the equestrian center makes it possible to envisage rides on horseback and also proposes animations of the western type. Information on +33 3 84 44 03 19.
Numerous hiking and mountain bike trails are possible throughout the new town, crossed by the GR59 linking the Vosges mountains to the Jura mountains. Documentation and information on +33 3 84 48 76 69.
Finally, in this region beautifully hilly but rich in rivers, fishermen can also indulge in their favorite hobby. Information on adapted sites and regulations on +33 (0) 3 84 24 86 96.
