Biathlon without snow
Since the multiple victories of Martin Fourcade – and their television broadcasts – biathlon has been a dream. The Retord plateau gives the opportunity to test this winter sport, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Even in the absence of snow!
In summer, cross-country skis are replaced by wheel skis. And the 22 long rifle by laser rifles, to adapt to the greatest number. Great success with young people!
These initiations to biathlon, supervised by an instructor, take place at the Plans d’Hotonnes stadium, in the town of Haut-Valromey.
Other activities practiced at this stadium: go-kart and archery.
Adventure trails
Great classics of successful family outings: acrobatic courses in the trees. The park Bugey Adventure presents itself as “the most mountainous in Ain”.
Located in Hauteville-Lompnes, it offers nine high-altitude courses for the whole family, from 2 years old. With zip line above the water, slide, perched hut, Tarzan liana….
For teens and adults, a black course allows you to try out skateboarding, cycling and kayaking in the treetops.
For 2 to 4 year olds, a squirrel course takes place close to the ground, without a carabiner to handle.
And a “handibranche” course is suitable for people with disabilities. Unique in France.
Meeting with shepherds
The Retord plateau is a land of pastures and breeding.
Priscillia and Pierre Blondeau, shepherds living in the hamlet of Bergonnes (1200 m above sea level), love to show off their craft.
From March to October, they offer two-hour mountain pastures walks. Meet their 300 black-headed Manech ewes (a mountain breed) and their herding dogs.
They also welcome visitors to their peasant table, for snacks or meals.
In their shop, you can buy products from their farm and from other Bugey farms.
The name of their sheepfold is indicative of their state of mind: To the rhythm of the herd.
Walks with a mountain guide
Sylvain Poncet He also knows the Retord plateau like the back of his hand. This mountain guide organizes outings to learn to recognize plants, traces left by animals …
But also initiations in orientation, mushroom outings. And historic hikes, because the Retord plateau was a high place of the Resistance in the Ain.
These walks, called Histoires de Résistances, reveal the life of the Maquisards in the farms of the plateau, in 1943.
A thematic trail on the Resistance is also freely accessible from the village of Hotonnes.
So, no reason to resist the attractions of the Retord plateau!
