The Bozonnières route in Bouligneux

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

Details

n°3305751
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.04 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 288 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 281 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Bouligneux (01330)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.022913° / E 4.991293°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3030SB
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Photos

Black-necked grebe
Birds of the Dombes
Cereal field
The Grande Bozonnière pond

Description of the walk

Park in the car park in front of Bouligneux church.

(S/E) Turn right towards Villars-les-Dombes. You will quickly reach a crossroads with a cross.

(1) Turn left towards the Étang de la Petite Bozonnière. On your left, you will see the Château de Bouligneux next to its pond. Continue to the crossroads before the pond.

(2) Turn right towards Étang Neuf. Follow this path, pass through the hamlet of Angenière, walk along Étang Neuf and arrive at a new T-junction with a signpost.

(3) Turn left towards the Grande Bozonnière pond. Enjoy the beautiful view of this pond, its Thou and the many birds. Continue straight ahead, passing between the Forêt and Moguet ponds. You will reach a four-way crossroads.

(4) Take the road on the left, continuing alongside the Étang de la Forêt. You will arrive opposite the Étang Fretay, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of both ponds. Then return to the Étang de la Petite Bozonnière crossroads you passed on the way out.

(2) Retrace your steps to return to the car park in front of Bouligneux Church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 282 m - Village car park - Château de Bouligneux
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 282 m - Crossroads marked by a cross
  3. 2 : km 1.22 - alt. 285 m - Étang de la Petite Bozonnière
  4. 3 : km 2.78 - alt. 284 m - Étang Neuf
  5. 4 : km 4.41 - alt. 284 m - Étang la Forêt
  6. S/E : km 7.04 - alt. 282 m - Village car park - Château de Bouligneux

Notes

The hike is entirely on tarmac, so no special equipment is required. Be careful at the start, as the route crosses the main road for 100 metres.
(Between 3 and 4) At Étang la Forêt, there are several species of birds, including many rare ones.

Worth a visit

The hike passes close to the Château de Bouligneux, one of the most beautiful châteaux in the Dombes, but it is privately owned and not open to visitors.
In the village, there are three restaurants where you can enjoy Dombes specialities:
- L'hostellerie de la Dombes,
- Le Thou
- Le Milouin.
Several ponds, home to a rich variety of birdlife, can be seen along the route.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
User 20456856

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Far too much tarmac, but most of the route is very quiet with few cars except at the beginning.

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moitoi
moitoi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

100% tarmac, few ponds near the road - route suitable for cycling

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slr.isarte@free.fr
slr.isarte@free.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting for discovering the flora and fauna of the Dombes region

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jmgallot
jmgallot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy walk around a few ponds, shaded paths, difficult to observe wildlife due to vegetation and private access.

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Nikky
Nikky
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Circular in the middle of ponds but surrounded by shrubs, it was difficult to observe the wildlife with all the private accesses, what a shame!
But a beautiful walk in nature.

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OncleJo
OncleJo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Excellent for birdwatching.

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ZEF
ZEF

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easy stroll through the Dombes and its ponds.

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PI X Rousse
PI X Rousse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk between the ponds
Small tarmac roads, but fortunately very few cars
No particular difficulties

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MOB
MOB
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Circular in the middle of ponds that are impossible to access (private areas with warnings about traps). Frustrating
Short family walk, perfect for digestion

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Gepeto.lyon
Gepeto.lyon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy walk allowing you to discover several ponds and their wildlife.
The start and finish on a long straight stretch of tarmac is a little monotonous and busier with traffic.

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kahtane
kahtane

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did this route on foot during my lunch break on Saturday, so I only saw two mountain bikers, but around 2.30 pm, lots of hikers and mountain bikers were getting ready in the church car park.
I regretted not bringing my binoculars to watch the birds on the ponds.
It's a shame that it's not a dirt track, but it's still a lovely walk.

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Dan7406
Dan7406

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

7 km of asphalt with about 100 m (start and finish) along a busy road.
Two information boards presenting the ponds on the route from Villars les Dombes.

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