Bouligneux walks

An easy and enjoyable walk to discover the ponds of the Dombes and its birdlife.

A pleasant walk typical of the Dombes. Mainly on tarmac but with very little traffic; you are on secondary roads. Along the route there is a high concentration of ponds, which are full of water in 2020. The view of the ponds is unobstructed and you will encounter many different birds. The walk is punctuated by a variety of landscapes: ponds, fields, copses and even a view of the Beaujolais region.

A hike that combines nature and heritage, with beautiful panoramic views, ponds and the Plantay Tower.

I had wanted to walk through this flat countryside with its multitude of ponds for a long time. I suggest this route, which starts at Notre-Dame des Dombes Abbey. It will take you past some beautiful ponds and local farms. Depending on the season, you will be accompanied by the songs of a multitude of birds. Frogs will jump out of the water as you pass by and curious cows will come to meet you.

A hike from Saint Marcel to the Étang du Grand Birieux Nature Reserve and its observatory. Please note that the hike is mainly on tarmac with a 100m section on the D2 road.

An easy walk leading to the Vernange Sensitive Natural Area with its observatory. Don't forget your binoculars.

Through fields and woods, discover manor houses, equestrian centres and, amongst other sights, the Étang des Vavres with its ducks, swans and extensive reed beds. The Étang des Vavres is under cultivation in 2023.

Take a stroll through the valleys and plateau from this splendid little town.

Discover the medieval town of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and its surroundings: passing through the medieval streets and the castle, you will discover the natural area of Prés Gaudet before exploring the Relevant valley, ending with a stroll through the arboretum.

This walk combines nature and heritage. In the centre of the village of Rancé, discover the oldest and most important witness to the history of the commune, the Romanesque church, which has been renovated several times. You will discover the wash house, a testament to the 19th-century hygiene movement, as well as the Pierre Brune, a block of granite, the local "big rock".

This walk takes you through typical Dombes landscapes such as ponds, fields and copses. There are many ponds to see, making this route particularly interesting. Remember to bring your binoculars.

This walk takes you past the many ponds of the Dombes and crosses the Vieux Jonc twice.

An easy route that takes you past the many ponds of the Dombes. Bring your binoculars.

An easy family walk that starts at Mionnay Station, crosses the Bois des Pommes and leads to Étang Dimanche.

This easy circuit around the commune of Saint-Éloi in the Ain department will give you a glimpse of the Dombes region. It also offers plenty of geocaching opportunities for enthusiasts.

This bucolic hike will take you from hamlet to hamlet around the village of Saint-Étienne-sur-Chalaronne.

A flat route, suitable for all, often used for Sunday walks. Due to the passages over the railway line, pushchairs are not recommended. For geocaching enthusiasts, I have marked the caches located along the route.

A lovely route through fields on the Val de Saône plateau on the outskirts of the village of Montanay. Good country lanes, limited elevation gain, but with one or two fairly steep and earthy sections (passing through valleys) that can be slippery in wet weather.

A short route suitable for lockdown with moderate elevation. The first part is through the woods of Montanay and the second

Most of the walk is in the forest. The paths are pleasant, with quite a few small stones on the ground. In rainy weather or after heavy rain, the path may be muddy or even impassable in places (not sure, to be checked). The end of the walk is not in the shade, so it can get hot in the sun. Moderator's warning: a section of the route is now closed. Please wait for a detour to be put in place.

Easy circular partly along the Saône, crossing the small marina of Genay and running alongside a small stream.