You don’t need to travel long distances to reach Francea country which is home to a large number of special places and historical monuments to discover. The territory, which shares a border with Spain via the Pyrenees, is distinguished by its well-kept nature and striking villages with unique stories.
The department of Ainin the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpeshas one of the most curious enclaves both for the nature that surrounds it and for the particular layout of its buildings: the city of Oncieujust over an hour from the border with Switzerland, stands out for its calm and agricultural life, as well as for the natural environments it presents.
Why Oncieu stands out
The village of Oncieu, in Ain, is not a very well-known or relevant destination in the history of France. However, it has a rich local heritage and a geographical feature very remarkable: its houses are arranged in a circular shape, leaving a space in the middle without construction, which contrasts with the elongated and sometimes arbitrary layout, more common in cities.
Although the exact reason for this peculiarity is not known, it is believed that the circular layout is a legacy of the Middle Agesand this could have been the case for several reasons. One of the most widespread beliefs is that the houses were built following a concession made to the Abbey of Saint Sulpice in 1191. It was thus installed near the feudal castle, forming an orchard around the manor enclosure.
On the other hand, the name of the commune also has medieval origins, since the suffix -ieu – of Gallic origin – dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was used to designate geographical areas with a Celtic-speaking population. Despite this, the first signs of life in the region date back much earlier, since the first human presence dates back to the Roman occupation.
Points of interest in Oncieu
In the village of Oncieu, all the houses are arranged in such a way that they turn their backs on the interior meadow, and a small stone path It surrounds the square as soon as you leave each house. In addition, most houses have a cellar on the ground floor, the town having a great agricultural tradition.
One of the main points of interest is the Saint-Laurent Churchwhich dates from 1840 and is distinguished by the walnut stalls it houses in the center of it. Two stained glass windows were recently restored, offered by he Marquis d’Oncieu de Chaffardon And he Viscount and Viscountess of Arloz.
The city, called the Diamond of Bugeyis located in the mountains of the same name, between Hauteville and Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey. The hills and meadows that surround the city make it an ideal destination for hiking or other outdoor activities.
One of the closest natural spaces to this enclave is called Rétort Plateaua unique deck for hiking, biking and even skiing or go snowboarding during the coldest months of the year. The space offers unique views that will allow you to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the entire area.
Oncieu and Plateau de Retord circuit
The magical nature of Oncieu and the mountains that surround it allow the exploration of several trails. One of them is the Oncieu and Plateau de Retord circuit. It’s a simple route, 10 kilometers distance and an estimated duration between 3 and 4 hoursdepending on hiking experience and stops to enjoy the scenery.
The route starts from the town of Oncieu, from where you will have to follow the marked trails which leave from the circle of houses and head towards the north of the hills. From there we will have to continue for a gradual rise over 2 kilometers; Along this route the landscape will start to change, as you will have to enter small forests with dirt roads.
This part of the path belongs to the agricultural area of Oncieu, so it is possible to note the presence of grazing animals, such as cows or goats. This will be the case as long as you continue to move forward until you enter more wooded areas.
If you continue along the dirt road, you can admire countless beech and oak trees, as well as small streams flowing down from the nearby mountains. You must continue until you reach the Rétort Plateau.
Once on the plateau, you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Jura. Once you have enjoyed the scenery, it will be time to go back down towards Oncieu. To do this, you will have to cross deciduous groves again and, after a descent through the forest, you will be able to see the town of Oncieu in the distance. Once back in town, the trip can be over.
It is important to go with comfortable clothes And mountain shoes suitable for the occasion, because although it is not a complex route to follow, it is possible that some areas have mud or other obstacles that could complicate both the climb to the plateau and the descent towards the village.
In addition, it is advisable to review the weather report before starting the route, because during the colder months of the year the area can be covered with snow, preventing your ascent, or at least complicating it.
