"Happy are the Lyonnais. They are happy in heritage, happy in gastronomy, happy in culture, happy in monuments ... And as if that were not enough, they have access, less than an hour from home, to real treasures" , boasts our columnist Jean-Bernard Carillet, author for the Lonely Planet, in the program "Et si on partait", on Europe 1. But where to start the visit, when so much is to be seen? Jean-Bernard Carillet offers us a tailor-made visit in the vicinity of the capital of Gaul.
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Frogs, carps and birds in the ponds of the Dombes
"The Lyonnais can escape to a region where they love the thigh: La Dombes! Region renowned for its frog legs, of course. A magnificent region, little known, located between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse. Thousands of ponds with still waters. These ponds were created from the Middle Ages for the breeding of fish. One carp fishing there and for a long time, one found frogs there, which one cooked. , there are not enough frogs. They are imported live from Turkey, and are skinned and prepared on the spot. But frog legs remain a local culinary specialty, with quite a few specialized restaurants.
Well, I tasted, in parsley, even a frog leg pie and I'm not a big fan. I prefer carp! Nothing like a carp stud ...
And who says ponds also says birds. These ponds form an ideal habitat for more than a hundred species of birds, which come to reproduce and nest, in particular of the herons, the egrets or the teals… If you are in family, I recommend the visit of the ornithological park to Villars-les-Dombes, it's called the Bird Park, it's simply a must.
In this very flat Dombes, one can also make bike rides. There are several circuits, enough to make a romantic ride on two wheels, stopping at the edge of a pond for a picnic break.
Between Lyon and Dombes, a superb medieval village
Then head to the village of Pérouges: a superb medieval town just 30 km from Lyon. It is part of the very closed circle of "Plus Beaux Villages de France". Once you enter this village, you quickly understand why: we are propelled into another era, it's really beautiful! There is architecture that reminds us of the Middle Ages, most of the houses date from the 15th and 15th centuries. Do not go in high heels, because all the streets are pebbles! On site, you can taste a sugar cake, the specialty.
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A wine route in Beaujolais
There is another getaway from Lyon, not to be missed. This time we are heading northwest, towards Beaujolais, the starting point of Villefranche-sur-Saône, 35 km from Lyon. You can follow the Beaujolais Crus Route: a magnificent wine-tasting tour, punctuated with tastings - in moderation of course - in the cellars and cellars of the villages. You will know more about the local appellations: Brouilly, Chiroubles, Villié-Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin à Vent, Saint-Amour…
And on the nature side?
I found a great site, Lac des Sapins: a paradise of nature, a vast body of water in the middle of fir trees, in a remote area of Beaujolais. There are all the advantages of a swimming pool - lifeguards, equipment - but outdoors, in a natural setting. Characteristic point: it is an organic swim where the water is pure. The purification and filtration system is natural, there are no chemicals: the water is filtered by plants, algae and rocks. In terms of equipment: swimming areas, grassy beaches, massage jets ... and rental of kayaks, paddle boards, etc. "