Presentation
Stroll through the cobbled, flower-filled streets of a medieval town, visit places steeped in history, discover varied and unusual landscapes, rub shoulders with birds from five continents, sample the specialities for which the département is famous...
You're sure to fall under the spell of the Ain!
Day 1: La Bresse and its famous poultry
Morning:
A guide will accompany you throughout the day.
Guided tour of the Hôtel-Dieu apothecary in Bourg-en-Bresse. Its laboratory, with its copper stills, swan's beak and mortars, is one of the best preserved still open to visitors. Housed in a beautiful Louis XV wood-panelled case, the dispensary boasts a fabulous collection of earthenware, boxes and verrines. A surprising journey into the pharmacy of past centuries.
You'll then return to your coach for a guided tour of Haute-Bresse. Your guide will tell you all about the special features of this region: history, architecture, the Bresse bocage, agriculture and livestock farming.
Lunch at a farm inn in Vernoux to taste the famous "poulet de Bresse à la crème".
Afternoon:
Step back in time with a visit to the Maison de Pays en Bresse Ecomuseum in Saint-Etienne-du-Bois. Take a guided tour to discover the architecture of this authentic Bresse farmhouse with its Saracen fireplace, the way of life in Bresse from the 15th to the 19th century, old trades and farm machinery.
Late afternoon check-in at the Mercure 4* hotel in Bourg-en-Bresse. Welcome aperitif and dinner.
Day 2: Exceptional sites in Dombes
Morning:
Ars-sur-Formans, a small village in the Dombes region, welcomes over 350,000 pilgrims and visitors from all over the world every year, who come in the footsteps of Jean-Marie Vianney, Saint Curé d'Ars. During your guided tour, get to know this modest priest with an extraordinary destiny by visiting the basilica, the Maison du Saint Curé, preserved in its original state, the Chapelle du Coeur and the underground church of Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde.
Lunch at a restaurant in Montmerle-sur-Saône.
Afternoon:
Meet your guide in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and depart on a guided tour of the Dombes ponds. Stop off at the edge of the ponds to learn about their history, fish farming, management, fauna and local flora. Pass by a farm and the Dombes Abbey (approx. 30 km with your own coach).
On the way back, you can sample Dombes products* (rillettes and carp sausages served with Bugey wine or local fruit juice).
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Middle Ages and world landscapes
Morning:
The famous medieval town of Pérouges, a former 11th-century weaving village now classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, opens its doors to you for an informative guided tour: cobbled streets, ramparts, fortress church, Place du Lilleul...
Back to the Middle Ages guaranteed! (bring flat shoes)
Continuation to Villars-les-Dombes and the Bird Park
Lunch in one of the Park's restaurants *.
Afternoon:
The Parc des Oiseaux invites you to enjoy exceptional and unique experiences, for an ornithological and botanical world tour without borders, immersed in the heart of an exceptional collection of birds evolving in their natural environment. With 2,500 birds of 300 different species spread over 35 hectares, the Park boasts one of the largest collections in Europe. Watch the birds evolve in complete freedom within 24 living spaces that reflect the landscapes of the world, for a journey to every continent in a harmonious ecosystem, and don't miss the magnificent bird show in flight at 3.30pm (weather permitting).
End of program
* member or Saveurs de l'Ain® product
Opening period
From 15/03 to 15/11/2023.
Rates
Adult: from 309.50 €.
Apothicairerie de l'Hôtel-Dieu
47 boulevard de Brou
01000
Bourg-en-Bresse
Payment method
- Bank/credit card
- Check
- Credit transfer
