In the Ain department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Cerdon region is famous for its sparkling rosé wine, its prehistoric caves and its many landscapes full of treasures to discover.
The Pays du Cerdon: a jewel case of nature and history in the Ain
In the heart of the Ain Valley, 20 km from Le Signal campsite, the "Rives de l'Ain Pays du Cerdon" destination is an area rich in history, with remains from the prehistoric era, some fifty castles and medieval strongholds, but also a unique industrial heritage, as shown by the Bonnet silk mills in Jujurieux and the Cerdon copperworks. The village of Cerdon is particularly appreciated by visitors for its typical Bugey winegrower architecture, its stone houses dating from the Middle Ages, its gushing fountains and its voussoir bridges.
Go back in time in the Cerdon caves and the prehistoric leisure park
Located between Lake Nantua and the River Ain, in the communes of Cerdon and La Balme, the Cerdon caves are one of the 10 most popular tourist sites in the Ain, with almost 30,000 visitors per year.
These prehistoric caves offer a magnificent natural setting and a unique experience for nature and adventure lovers. A small train takes visitors directly to the entrance of the cave. A walking tour follows the bed of an ancient underground river and offers a variety of fascinating underground landscapes: stalactites, stalagmites and columns by the hundreds.
After the visit of the Grottes du Cerdon, the site offers many activities and animations on the theme of prehistory. The prehistoric leisure park offers the opportunity to learn how to make fire, hunt with a thruster, carve flint, make a prehistoric ornament, paint like the Paleolithic artists... The Cerdon Caves also offer introductory caving workshops led by professional cavers.
Did you know that? The Cerdon Caves were already inhabited more than 12,000 years ago. From 1933 to 1959, the caves were used by a local cheesemaker for the maturing of Bleu de Gex cheese. It was this cheese maker and his children who discovered the upper gallery and made the first arrangements for visits.
The Cerdon vineyard, the little bubbles that make the Bugey sparkle
Located on steep hills, between the mountains, the vineyard of the Cerdon region is famous for its production of sparkling rosé wine, the Bugey Cerdon, a subtle blend of Gamay and Poulsard. This AOC sparkling rosé wine is made using an ancestral method, without adding sugar or yeast. This natural fermentation technique produces a light, sparkling wine with notes of red fruit.
Visitors can explore the vineyards on guided tours and taste the wine in the local cellars. The
