Vue aérienne Bouvent — ©Vue aérienne du parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|JP Poupon Arcom Design

Bouvent, an oasis on the outskirts of the town

Come to Bouvent, whatever the weather

In autumn and even in winter, it’s the perfect place for a long walk, to admire the autumn colours in the trees, and the charming winter landscapes. In the spring, the fitness trail turns it into an open-air sports complex. Venture along the 2.5 km trail around the lake, on foot, running, by bike or even all three!

Getting there

The place to be

A 56-hectare leisure complex close to the town centre. A little miracle! With the 21-hectare lake, Bouvent is Bourg-en-Bresse’s very own Central Park. In the summer, this is where locals come for picnics, barbecues, fishing, sailing and kayaking. The ultimate place to come to relax and swim (on-duty lifeguard in the summer). People of all ages love coming here together to cool off.

Yoga — ©Pause yoga au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|Pierre JAYET

©Jeu d'enfants au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|S Tournier Le Belle Rencontre

©Pique-Nique entre amis au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|S Tournier Le Belle Rencontre

Vélo — ©Session vélo au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|Pierre JAYET

Plan Bouvent — ©Plan du Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|DR

The greenway cycle path and a golf course

Thanks to the greenway cycle path, this haven of greenery can be accessed from Bourg-en-Bresse in complete safety. An opportunity to leave the car behind for a day.

This place has become so popular that the Bourg-en-Bresse golf course also chose this location. With a breath-taking view of the Revermont mountains as an added bonus. New Yorkers don’t have one of those!

Swing !

Pêche — ©Session pêche au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|Pierre JAYET

A little bit of history

Bouvent leisure complex was known as Curtafrey in the Middle Ages, and owes its current name to the De Bouvens family from 1400. It is believed that Jean-Amé de Bouvent, a native of Savoy, once defended the Bourg citadel with such bravery that this even earned him the admiration of the King of France Henry IV himself!

Planche à voile — ©Session planche à voile au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|S Tournier Le Belle Rencontre

Catamaran — ©Pratique du catamaran au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|S Tournier Le Belle Rencontre

©Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|F-Xavier DRIANT

From a gravel quarry to a leisure complex

The plans to turn it into a leisure complex were drawn up in 1974.

1,500,000 tonnes of aggregates were extracted from here and used to build the A40 motorway.

At the end of the building work, the future lake was dug out and Bouvent leisure park was finally opened in 1986.

Swimmers flocked here !

©Feu Artifice à Bouvent au Parc de loisirs de Bouvent à Bourg-en-Bresse. Ain.|S Tournier Le Belle Rencontre

Départ triathlon international — ©23è triathlon international courte distance, départ de l'épreuve de natation dans le lac de Bouvent.|Credit Sbuathier

A venue for large-scale events and entertainment

Sporting events such as Bourg-en-Bresse triathlon and the Virades de l’Espoir are organised every year at Bouvent leisure complex. In the summer, there is a wide range of free activities such as gym classes, yoga, games for children, challenges, workshops, etc. Everything you could think of! Well almost !

Browse the full events’ calendar for Bouvent

On site

I enjoy

forêt — ©Forêt de Seillon, le pouimon vert de Bourg-en-Bresse. Photo du concours photo|Roux

Our green lung, Seillon Forest

Events’ calendar for Bouvent

From discovery to discovery