Events in the Ain

The Ain department is a diverse region, nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region between Bresse, Dombes, Bugey, and Pays de Gex, offering a rich program of events, cultural activities, traditional festivals, food fairs, nature hikes, and outdoor pursuits throughout the year.

In towns and villages like Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, Ambérieu-en-Bugey, and the surrounding communities of the Ain and Valserine plains, every weekend brings new discoveries, and here are some you shouldn’t miss!

Ain: A Region of Many Facets

Before we delve into the details: a brief overview of the context and history.

Ain is a department that never reveals its secrets in a single glance. Between the Bugey mountains, the russet lands of the Bresse, the tranquil ponds of the Dombes, and the liquid borders drawn by the Rhône, it moves forward with quiet pride. Its history? A subtle blend of Savoyard influences, medieval heritage, and a tenacious rural way of life that has always favored authenticity over spectacle. Here, the villages seem to have an ancient pact with time: not to rush, but simply to endure.

But the Ain is more than just a backdrop. Its cultural significance lies in a region that proudly proclaims its expertise—from gastronomy to ancient fishing practices, from sacred art to industrial heritage. Here, the encounter between enduring traditions and new, sometimes unexpected, initiatives is still cultivated.

And then there is nature, omnipresent and vibrant: deep forests, hidden lakes, sudden waterfalls, and sunlit plateaus. A rich biodiversity that shapes lifestyles as much as the landscapes. Ultimately, the Ain is the kind of place that doesn’t need to raise its voice to leave a lasting impression. A department that moves forward gently, but whose memory lingers.

Cultural Events in the Ain

Every year, the Ain department hosts several major, unmissable cultural events, true highlights of the region.

The Printemps de Pérouges (late June – early July)

Among them, the Printemps de Pérouges, held between Pérouges and Saint-Maurice-de-Rémens, remains one of the leading festivals, blending pop, chanson, rock, and classical music in a unique heritage setting.

More information is available on the festival’s official website: https://www.festival-perouges.org.

The Ambronay Festival (mid-September – mid-October)

Another major event, the Ambronay Festival, held at Ambronay Abbey, is dedicated to early and Baroque music. Internationally renowned, it showcases one of the finest heritage ensembles in the Ain region each autumn.

Information at: https://www.ambronay.org

The Cuivres en Dombes Festival (all of July)

In the Dombes region, the Cuivres en Dombes Festival brings Villars-les-Dombes and the surrounding villages to life each summer with brass concerts, heritage evenings, and traveling performances.

Program and tickets at: https://www.cuivresendombes.org

The Musical Festival at the Bird Park (late August – mid-September)

At the Bird Park in Villars-les-Dombes, the Musical Festival offers another cultural highlight, blending live music with a natural setting at the end of summer.

Information and dates: https://www.parcdesoiseaux.com/evenements/les-musicales-du-parc

The Mort de Rires Festival (June – July)

The Mort de Rires Festival, held at the Château de Chazey-sur-Ain, attracts fans of stand-up comedy and humor shows in a unique medieval setting.

More information at: https://www.festival-perouges.org

The Les Fanfarons Festival (August)

Finally, in Thoissey, the Les Fanfarons Festival brings together French and European brass bands each year for a festive and family-friendly musical event, with concerts, street performances, and other entertainment.

Details at: https://feriain-fanfarons.org/

Events celebrating gastronomy and local produce in the Ain region
The Bresse Poultry Festival

Held in the heart of summer, this convivial festival pays tribute to Bresse poultry in all its forms. Culinary workshops, country-style meals, family activities, and a farmers’ market offer the opportunity to discover the many facets of this exceptional product. A gourmet and very accessible event.

More information: https://www.ain-tourisme.com/offres/glorieuse-de-montrevel-en-bresse-montrevel-en-bresse-fr-6029322/

The Bleu de Gex Festival

Every year in August, the towns and villages within the AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) area organize the Bleu de Gex Festival, celebrating the iconic cheese of the Jura Mountains. A gourmet market, meetings with producers, competitions, cheese factory tours, and mountain activities make this event a showcase of the pastoral terroir of the Pays de Gex.

More information: https://www.bleu-de-gex.com/le-bleu-de-gex-haut-jura/notre-fameux-bleu-de-gex-copie/

Dombes Region

Autumn in the Dombes region is marked by traditional pond fishing, followed by markets where you can buy fresh carp, pike, or tench directly from the fish farmers. From Villars-les-Dombes to Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, these seasonal markets offer the chance to explore one of the oldest practices in the area.

More information: https://www.dombes-tourisme.com/decouvrir-lessentiel/la-dombes-terre-detangs/decouvrir-la-filliere/les-journees-poissons-de-dombes/

The Bourg-en-Bresse Gastronomy Fair

Every autumn, the Gastronomy Fair brings together producers, food artisans, and local chefs at Ainterexpo. Tastings, culinary demonstrations, and meetings with producers punctuate this now-essential event. An excellent way to immerse yourself in the flagship products of the Ain region: PDO poultry, cheeses, Bugey wines, Dombes fish, and Bresse specialties.

More information: https://gastronomie.ainterexpo.com/

Les Glorieuses de Bresse

It’s impossible to talk about gastronomy in the Ain without mentioning Les Glorieuses de Bresse, a century-old competition celebrating the famous Bresse PDO chicken, a true emblem of the region. Every December, Bourg-en-Bresse and Montrevel-en-Bresse welcome breeders, chefs, and enthusiasts to celebrate this unique expertise. An essential event for discovering the excellence of Bresse poultry.

More information: https://www.glorieusesdebresse.com/

Events in the Ain region: Outdoor Activities

The department also draws on nature for its events: hiking in the mountains, mountain biking in the Bugey forests, and nature retreats in meadows, along riverbanks, and in marshes. Marked trails, discovery paths, gorges, and valleys offer a wealth of playgrounds. The department also hosts sporting events – trail running, mountain biking, and races – particularly in the Jura Mountains and along the Rhône River.

Douvres Trail

The Douvres Trail brings together hundreds of runners each year in the heart of the Revermont region, with several courses adapted to all levels. The event takes place at the end of March and attracts both experienced athletes and nature lovers.

Information: https://www.trail-de-douvres.fr

The Thomas Voeckler Cyclo

Held at the end of June, this major cycling event crosses the rolling roads of the Bugey and Dombes regions. Several routes allow cyclists to test their limits on a highly regarded course, with professional support.

Information: https://www.lacyclo.fr

The Ain Triathlon

A flagship event of the department, the Ain Triathlon takes place in mid-September around the lakes and natural landscapes of the area. Swimming, cycling, and running follow one another in a spectacular setting, ideal for triathletes seeking peak performance.

Information: https://www.aintriathlon.com

The Bresse Dombes Marathon

Running in early October, the Bresse Dombes Marathon offers several formats (marathon, half marathon, relay, children’s races). The course, very much in nature, crosses hedged farmland, ponds, and typical villages, offering a unique sporting and scenic experience.

Information: https://www.marathon-bresse-dombes.com

La Forestière (Mountain Biking & Gravel)

La Forestière, a legendary mountain biking and gravel biking event, takes place every September between the Jura and Bugey regions. Considered one of the most iconic races in France, it brings together amateurs, elite athletes, and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Information: https://www.laforestiere.fr

Registration & Participation

To register for an event, volunteers, local associations, the town hall, or the municipal council can guide you. Registration forms, subscription requests, and loyalty cards are often handled locally. The department also provides maps of France, guides, and weather forecasts to help you anticipate precipitation, altitude, snow, or heat.

Departmental weather forecasts are essential: these outdoor events require careful planning of equipment, clothing, and logistics. The Ain department regularly publishes weather forecasts to support organizers and participants.

The Ain region and its many treasures will continue to surprise you!

Whether you are a medieval heritage enthusiast, a nature lover, or looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a family vacation, you will find welcoming places, well-equipped accommodations, unique events, and breathtaking natural surroundings in this department.

Enjoy the local bounty, the Bresse region’s products, outdoor activities, trails, rivers, fountains, monuments, and valleys… In short, make the most of the Ain and everything it has to offer!

Some unusual experiences in the Ain not to be missed…

The Ain is more than just its verdant landscapes, tranquil rivers, and charming villages: the department also abounds with unusual and original experiences to enjoy as a couple, with family, or with friends. Between nature, heritage, and encounters, each adventure reveals a new facet of this unique region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

In the Dombes region, spend a night suspended in the trees, surrounded by ponds and close to the wildlife, in the treehouses of the Domaine des Dombes in Villette-sur-Ain. These cabins offer total immersion in nature: wake up to the call of the heron, enjoy breakfast delivered by rope, and take in panoramic views of a preserved aquatic ecosystem.

Information and booking here: https://www.domainedeladombes.com/

Further east, in the Bugey region, the Cerdon caves invite you on a captivating underground journey. On October 31st, a guided torchlit tour was offered, immersing visitors in a mysterious atmosphere.

Information and booking here: https://www.grotte-cerdon.com/