The Abbey Farm, built at the beginning of the 17th century by the Abbey of Nantua, is a place for rest of body and mind. The Ferme de la Tour is an ideal location for hosting individuals over 50 years old or for executive seminars.
In splendid isolation, the Ferme de la Tour (“La Tour”) is located in the southern part of the Jura massif: the Haut-Bugey. It is located in a setting that remains very wild and is now preserved: the Combe de Léchaud. There, one can find a series of other monastic farms
At the foot of the vast Retord plateau, the Combe de Léchaud is a true natural reserve with rich flora typical of the marshy plateaus of mid-mountain ranges. The four seasons are very distinct there, and its scenery invites relaxation.
A historic farm with exceptional architecture, La Tour has been completely restored and transformed into a luxury guest house. The construction, landscaping of its park, and its high-end classic furnishing took seven years. It is equipped with 4 double bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a loft containing 6 single beds with a bathroom.
La Tour is a site of great tranquility, perfect for gentle activities. It’s a place to rejuvenate, alone, with your family, or with friends. Here, you can meditate, contemplate the beauty and simplicity of its nature, the harmony of its architecture and extraordinary framework, the quality and character of its locally sourced furniture, each piece meticulously restored.
Its magnificent barn will appeal to lovers of Parisian artist workshops or New York lofts. You will be able to play the piano, practice singing, and enjoy music in an acoustic that seems naturally tuned to its surroundings. Enjoy tea in the luxurious Mah Jonc lounge, which invites meditation.
In an airy space, you can also play French billiards, which is quieter than its American cousin, also available. This game room is also ideal for bridge, backgammon, or tarot. Foosball enthusiasts will not be left out.
Time seems to have stopped at La Tour. From its library, you can choose a classic book that you haven’t yet had the time to read. You can enjoy its chapters in front of a large fireplace, or, in the warm season, on one of its terraces or even in the rocking chair on its balcony (the interior of La Tour is a non-smoking area, for the respect and well-being of everyone).
The landscape invites you to peaceful hikes, whether on foot, by (electric) bike, or in a classic car, exploring its neighboring valleys. Through the aptly named Belleroche pass, you’ll access the Retord Plateau, with its vast meadows and fir forests of the southern Jura, and a collection of rugged, isolated farms typical of Haut-Bugey.
Returning to La Tour, a good Finnish sauna will relieve you of worries and concerns that might still be troubling your body and mind. Afterwards, you can cook or enjoy the cuisine and wines of Bugey, which a local caterer can serve. Feel free also to bring your own cellar, favorite foods, and dishes.
One of the charms of La Tour is its magnificent isolation, surrounded by wild nature, yet only 1 hour 30 minutes from Geneva or Lyon and their international airports. The TGV train station of Bourg-en-Bresse is 1 hour away, and Bellegarde is 45 minutes away.
The nearest village, Brénod, is 10 km away, where you’ll find a bakery, a small grocery store, a renowned cheese shop, as well as a very useful Bar / Tobacco / Newspapers / Postal Point. The first supermarket, in Hauteville, is 20 minutes away, and, for luxury enthusiasts, the first Hermès or Louis Vuitton store is 70 km away…!
Our friends, the domestic animals, are not admitted to La Tour. In the warmer seasons, however, its surrounding meadows are adorned with grazing heifers, and in all seasons, a rich array of wild fauna of all types and with all kinds of fur or feathers can be observed.
The immediate environment of the building is very dangerous for children, and therefore we advise against coming to La Tour with them, or even with teenagers who would probably be bored there. La Tour is not equipped for them, and especially, they could fall into a ravine on the edge of the terrace or into two deep muddy ponds with steep edges.
In a way, a stay at La Tour is somewhat the opposite of a stay in Megève, Verbier, Méribel, or Courchevel, or its complement. Visitors come here to find profound peace, truly wild nature, in the coolness of an altitude of 1 000 meters, and in a setting as spectacular as it is timeless, with no neighbors or artificial attractions.
During the snowy winter, the pretty medium mountains and dark forests of Haut-Bugey are suited for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding, as there are no downhill ski slopes nearby. La Tour is not a place for quads, motocross, or trial, nor for bungee jumping or high-energy parties.
