Poncin: Holiday apartments and houses

Poncin combines historic landmarks with paths along the Ain and the landscape surrounding ÃŽle Chambod. In the historic town, there are 13th-century town walls pierced by loopholes and reinforced by towers. The historic streets also feature late-medieval houses with arcades, as well as courtyards of manor houses dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

Culture and history

The Château de Poncin is partly protected as a historic monument; this protection was registered on 12 March 1970. It covers façades and roofs, remains of the former fortifications, terraces, a retaining wall and gardens. The château was rebuilt as a pleasure residence and classified as a historic monument.

The Tour Bouvent is also part of Poncin’s historic appearance: the octagonal tower dates from the Renaissance and is listed as a protected historic monument. The Church of Saint Martin was built in 1886–1887 on the site of an older church that had been demolished. Its interior features 19th-century stained-glass windows made by the Atelier Beyssac workshop, as well as an exceptional Vierge en Majesté, which is classified as a historic monument.

The annual Salon des Arts plastiques in November is part of the cultural calendar. Depending on the changing schedule, the Maison des Arts gallery presents around ten exhibitions. In Leymiat, the architecture of a wine-growing village has been preserved: the stable adjoins the cellar, while the living quarters are on the upper floor and accessible via an outside staircase. There is also a chapel and traditional bread ovens along the village’s two main streets.

The Château de La Cueille was a fortress in the Middle Ages, as well as 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.

Water and landscape

The Base nautique leisure facility in Poncin comprises a 20-hectare island, a 15-kilometre navigable stretch of water, an equipped beach and jetties for water sports. Around ÃŽle Chambod-Merpuis, cycling, hiking, pedal boating and stand-up paddleboarding are available in summer.

The Balade des Roches is an easy 5-kilometre circular trail starting in Poncin. It runs mostly through the forest and follows a route to the Belvédère des Roches. From there, you can see Île Chambod and the hamlet of Merpuis.

Getting around

The 59-kilometre circular cycle route Et au milieu coule une rivière starts in Poncin, runs along 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 runs through the vineyards of Cerdon and a dozen villages along small, scenic roads beside the Ain.

Wine and regional tradition

The winegrowers of Poncin in Allement, Breignes, La Cueille and Leymiat welcome visitors for wine tastings. They offer Bugey Cerdon, Gamay, Pinot, Chardonnay, Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay made using the traditional method, Marc du Bugey and Fine du Bugey.

You would like to rent a holiday apartment in Poncin.

Further destinations: Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne, Peyrieu, Divonne-Les-Bains, Ramasse, Biziat, Pirajoux, Saint-Étienne-Du-Bois, Brégnier-Cordon

To the higher-level travel overview: Ain.