A magical moment at the Parc des Oiseaux in Villars-les-DombesUnderstanding the universe without leaving Earth – that’s what CERN has to offer. Here, we track down particles, question time, and grapple with the mysteries of matter. Le Portail des Sciences opens the doors to this infinite quest, with interactive exhibitions, guided tours and meetings with researchers who work with the infinitely small. Did you think science was complicated? It becomes captivating when told like this.
Cern
Cern
CernHere, you can travel without a passport. More than 250 species from five continents unfold before your eyes. Reach out in the loris’ aviary, look up at the in-flight show, and be amazed by the brilliant colors of a toucan or the piercing cry of an eagle. The whole world, concentrated in a single flap of the wings. Take the time to watch, listen… and marvel.
Royal Monastery of Brou
Royal Monastery of BrouIt’s a work of flamboyant Gothic art born of a love story. Marguerite of Austria had the royal monastery of Brou built in the 16th century in memory of her husband. The precision-sculpted vaults, the play of light through the colorful stained-glass windows and the geometrically patterned glazed tile roof create an almost unreal setting. Wander beneath the slender arches, look up at the details of the stonework and feel the strength of a love that defies time.
Here, time stands still. The Grottes du Cerdon take you into a thousand-year-old setting, sculpted by water and time. Descend into the darkness, brush against stalactites and listen to the silence. Then it’s back to the light: in the prehistoric park, you can learn to shoot with a thruster, light a fire without a lighter, and carve stone like the first men. An adventure between science and instinct, where you come out a little more curious… and a little wilder. Ready to go back in time?
Cerdon cavesBecause one day is too short. There are trails that still beckon, cobbled lanes that echo underfoot, children’s laughter that floats in the air. The Ain is a life-size playground of family adventures and villages with a soul. Why stop there?
There are places where silence speaks volumes. The Maison d’Izieu is one such place. This Jewish refugee colony, now a symbol of memory, tells the story of the 44 children and their teachers arrested during the round-up on April 6, 1944. The walls still murmur with laughter, and the children’s drawings hanging in the windows are a reminder of their shattered innocence. The visit is both gentle and moving. We listen, we understand, we remember. Because some stories should never be forgotten.
Memorial d'izieuCarved into the rock, clinging to the mountainside, Fort l’Écluse defies time and space. Climb its 1,165 steps, feel the stone beneath your hands and breathe in the Rhone wind. The view is breathtaking, the silence almost military.
Fort l'Écluse
Fort l'Écluse
Fort l'Écluse
Little boy, arms raised in front of a mountain landscapeBetween mountains and plains, lakes and rivers, a heritage steeped in history and gastronomy that awakens the taste buds, this region ticks all the boxes. Discover 10 good reasons not to miss out, and certainly more, once you’ve tasted it!
