Summer on the Retord plateau
Colours that change through the months, wide wild open spaces and, from the ridges, a 360° panorama over the Alps. Hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, swimming…
- 5mountain-bike routes of 9 to 26 km
- 360°panorama over the Alps
- From age 8laser biathlon
- 3swimming spots
On two wheels
Starting from Les Plans d’Hotonnes, 5 mountain-bike routes of 9 to 26 km are close to the gîte.
- Maps and routes for the plateau’s mountain-bike circuits: BugeyVelo.com
- For road cyclists: marked routes, quiet roads and, right by the gîte, the Col du Grand Colombier, a stage of the 2020 Tour de France and an essential climb.
- Rental at the Les Plans d’Hotonnes resort, not far from the gîte: mountain bikes, electric-assist bikes, road bikes and even all-terrain wheelchairs, with repairs possible. Learn more
- Electric scooters on guided rides, throughout the summer season. Learn more
- At Les Plans d’Hotonnes: a pump track and a mountain-bike stadium.
On foot
Starting from the Les Plans d’Hotonnes resort, the plateau shows all its Jura characteristics: valleys and forests, typical isolated farms, wide open spaces and ridges such as the Crêt du Nu and Tumet, with views of Mont Blanc.
- The “Boucle d’oreille” nature trail, to discover the plateau’s biodiversity (booklet available at the Maison des Plans d’Hotonnes) Learn more
- Walks from 1 hour to a full day: the Haut-Valromey routes on the Bugey Sud website See the routes
- The great classics: GR 9, Balcon and Tour du Valromey, Tour du Bugey and the Grande Traversée du Jura
- The herd hike with Pierre and Priscilla, at their sheepfold on the plateau, accompanying the animals to the high pastures Learn more
Biathlon
Introduction and discovery sessions led by the ESF, from age 8, on the international stadium at Les Plans d’Hotonnes. Fun and friendly, biathlon is open to everyone, including people with reduced mobility, with fully adapted supervision.
- At 10 m: lead (from age 11) and laser (from age 8)
- At 50 m: .22 long rifle
Other outdoor activities
Guided or independent, for young and old alike.
Montagne Experiences by ESF
Many outdoor sports in summer: roller skiing on the renovated biathlon stadium, mountain-bike lessons for children and adults, themed hikes (heritage, photography, trail running) and guided all-terrain electric scooters.
Horse riding
With Equus Pleine Nature, set off on horseback rides of 1 to 5 hours, from age 4, on the Retord plateau and beyond. Open to children and adults, with no prior experience required.
Treetop adventure
Between a lake and a spruce forest, the Parcours Aventure du Bugey offers a moment of relaxation and fun.
Tennis
A tennis court is now available at Les Plans d’Hotonnes.
Orienteering
The forests, ridges and plateaus of the Bugey massif make playgrounds for all levels, from beginner to seasoned competitor.
Swimming and waterfalls
- Lac Genin (831 m): a lovely protected mountain lake in a clearing of fir trees, nicknamed “the Little Canada of the Bugey”. Hiking trails, mountain-bike routes, supervised swimming, fishing…
- The Lalleyriat lake: swimming, walks and pétanque. Supervised swimming in summer, from 1pm to 7pm, from 1 July to 31 August.
- The Champdor lake: an outdoor supervised swimming area, a 2,200 m² pool (10 cm to 1.70 m deep), landscaped beach, water games, slide, waterfall, ice creams and parasol hire.
- The Bugey waterfalls: a refreshing break in summer and a pleasure for the eyes in every season. Learn more
Caves and prehistoric park
Between an underground world and prehistoric activities: a 1 to 1.5-hour visit in a natural cathedral carved thousands of years ago in the limestone of the Jura mountains. Follow the course of an ancient underground river and emerge halfway up a cliff, on a viewpoint overlooking the Cerdon vineyards.
On the same site, the prehistoric leisure park offers family workshops: fire-making techniques, spear-thrower throwing at 3D animal targets, prehistoric ornaments, Neolithic pottery, prehistoric painting and archaeological digs. Open from April to October.
And many more discoveries
La Seigneurie des Cornelles
At Aranc, a medieval village under reconstruction: introductory workshops (stone, forge, weapon handling), adventure course and demonstrations. The site opens according to a calendar, so check before you come.
The Lebe Observatory
A site popularising Earth and Universe sciences, specialising in astronomy: a space to explore, by day and by night, combining emotion, discovery and sharing of knowledge.
La Maison du marais
A journey to the heart of the Lavours marsh, one of the last great inland marshes in Western Europe. Created in 1984, the nature reserve has an exceptional biological heritage.
Dinoplagne
The tracks of giants of the past: walk along a canopy that protects sauropod footprints, with a connected walk to go further (biodiversity, the Jurassic, the evolution of the continents…).
The Resistance museum
Located in Nantua, in the heart of the Haut-Bugey, the Museum of the Resistance and Deportation of the Ain offers an updated reading of the Second World War through the experiences of the people of the Ain.
Sleep on the plateau
The group gîte sleeps up to 15 people, right by the hiking trails and mountain-bike routes, with views over Les Plans d’Hotonnes. A swimming pool is open in summer.
Eat and shop at the farm
On the way back from your walk, stop by the farm: the shop is open every day from 9am to 12pm, with goat cheeses, flans, yoghurts and eggs. Our inn also hosts group meals by reservation, all year round from 20 people, and evenings one Sunday a month.
Your questions
When is the best time to enjoy the Retord plateau in summer?
From April to October: hiking, mountain biking, horse rides, swimming… and, from the ridges, a 360° panorama over the Alps.
Where can I rent a mountain bike or an electric bike?
At the Les Plans d’Hotonnes resort, not far from the gîte: mountain bikes, electric-assist bikes, road bikes, and even all-terrain wheelchairs.
Where can I swim?
At Lac Genin, at the Lalleyriat lake (supervised swimming from 1pm to 7pm, from 1 July to 31 August) and at the Champdor lake (2,200 m² pool, landscaped beach, water games). The gîte also has a pool, open in summer.
What is there to do with children?
Laser biathlon from age 8, horse rides from age 4, treetop adventure courses, supervised swimming, a visit to the caves and workshops of the Cerdon prehistoric park, or the dinosaur footprints of Dinoplagne.
Where can I eat or buy local produce?
The farm shop is open every day from 9am to 12pm. Our inn hosts group meals by reservation all year round (from 20 people) and evenings one Sunday a month.
Also worth discovering
Want to make the most of it?
A question, a booking request? We are here to help you plan your stay on the Retord plateau.
Information updated in October 2026. For opening hours, prices and bookings, see the websites of the providers mentioned.