Our favourite places in the Valromey and Retord
Rural and mountain, gentle and bright, the Valromey, Retord and Grand Colombier area is rich in producers, craftspeople and associations. Here are the addresses we like to share.
- 6craftspeople
- 10producers and shops
- 4cultural venues
- 5local places to eat
A living region
Thanks to the vitality of its many associations, this lively region holds culinary, artistic and authentic surprises for us. We have picked out a few addresses: places and people who do “good”.
At La Grange des Plans too, we produce: our goats, Jersey cows and hens give us cheese, eggs and meat.
The craftspeople
Skills to meet, and objects to take home.
Scintiller au fil des saisons
Introduction to knife carving and sale of carved wooden objects.
Atelier Papivole
Creative bookbinding workshop in Ruffieu: personalised notebooks, marbled paper, classes for adults and children.
Au Clou par Clou !
Art craftsman in Brens: statuettes and creations made from farrier’s nails.
Saperlipoppins
Decorative, everyday and wellbeing objects in wood, fabric and metal, made to order and to measure.
Producers and shops
From honey to Comté, from beer to the organic grocer: the taste of the plateau.
Au rythme du troupeau
Sheepfold on the Retord plateau: sheep’s cheese, sheepfold visit and herd hike.
L’Ecoserie
Independent organic grocer: food, hygiene and cleaning products, sourced as locally as possible and with little packaging.
Ain’s temps loisirs
Shop of local products, crafts and souvenirs. Also hire of skis, snowshoes, scooters and Swincars, and a wellbeing / balneotherapy area.
The markets
Two weekly gatherings to meet local producers.
Hotonnes market: every Friday afternoon
Léo’s wood-fired bread, GAEC Conty (beef) and ourselves, La Grange des Plans.
Ruffieu market: every Saturday morning
The market gardeners of Ruffieu, Au rythme du troupeau (sheep’s cheese) and Les demoiselles du plateau (herbalist).
The market gardeners of Ruffieu · Au rythme du troupeau · Les demoiselles du plateau
Cultural venues
Shows, exhibitions, workshops and games: the cultural life of the area.
Les 7 lieux, in Hauteville-Lompnes
A social and cultural centre, “the house of the people of an area”, with an artistic programme.
Le Jardin des Plans
At Les Plans d’Hotonnes, a garden to wander through: maze, chakra trail, sensory path, and events (concerts, theatre, storytelling, tastings). Open every day from 1 May to 30 November.
Restaurants
From fondue to slow-cooked dishes, simple and generous places to eat.
Café “Chez Mireille”
An authentic bistro, 10 minutes from the gîte. Fondue by reservation.
La ferme Guichard
Meat specialities served on slate, old-fashioned slow-cooked dishes and home-made desserts.
Your questions
Where can I buy local products near the gîte?
Several addresses around the plateau: the Vival in Hotonnes (local products section), Ain’s temps loisirs at Les Plans d’Hotonnes, the Brénod fruitière for Comté, and the Hotonnes market, every Friday afternoon. Our goat cheeses are also on sale at the farm.
Where can I eat near the gîte?
The Hôtel-restaurant Berthet is closest to the gîte, with its mountain specialities. The café “Chez Mireille”, an authentic bistro, is 10 minutes away (fondue by reservation). Our farm inn also serves meals, by reservation or during the school holidays and ski weekends.
When are the markets?
The Hotonnes market takes place every Friday afternoon: Léo’s wood-fired bread, GAEC Conty (beef) and La Grange des Plans. The Ruffieu market takes place every Saturday morning: the market gardeners of Ruffieu, Au rythme du troupeau (sheep’s cheese) and Les demoiselles du plateau (herbalist).
Addresses and opening times updated in October 2026. Please check before you set out.
Want to make the most of it?
A question, a booking request? We are here to help you plan your stay at the La Grange des Plans gîte, on the Retord plateau.