Do you know Arthur Rimbaud’s poem “Le Dormeur du val”? The one that begins: “It is a green hollow, where a river sings, madly clinging to the grass with rags…” One might imagine that the poet, sitting there one spring morning, wrote these lines while perched on this promontory overlooking the village. Let’s not beat around the bush—let’s go discover Oncieu!
Oncieu, the oh-so-unique village
Oncieu. Is it a coincidence that its name begins with the letter O, just like its circular layout? Sometimes, letters and stones go hand in hand. We recall those medieval villages like Jarnioux, Polignac, or Balazuc, which transport us back in time just by reading their names. The entire townof Oncieu has been listed as a historic monument since 1985. Located in the beautiful Bugey region, in this Rimbaldian valley, Oncieu dazzles above all with its lush green setting. It’s no coincidence that the village is nicknamed the “Diamond of Bugey”…it’s all about perspective and framing in life.
So, what could be the reasons for this urban roundness? Was it to accommodate a flying saucer, or perhaps the town council of the time, which already found these straight-lined layouts too outdated? We’d love to think so! But the reason, even if not entirely verified, is unfortunately much more pragmatic. In the 14th century, after a terrible outbreak of the plague,the village was rebuilt around the orchard of the Lord of Oncieu… People generally went out of their way for their sovereign; in Oncieu, they preferred to start from scratch and come full circle.
The Bugey, a region with 1,001 treasures
After taking a tour (literally) of the village of Oncieu, set out to explore the Bugey region, which is still underrated by visitors today . We highly recommend heading up to the Évosges cross to admire this unique feature. The hike can be done directly from Oncieu or by car.
Oncieu overlooks the Albarine Valley and lies equidistant from two of the region’s most beautiful natural attractions. As you head up, you can admire the Charabotte Waterfall, which , at 115 meters high, is one of the tallest—and consequently one of the most beautiful— in France. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a bit more down-to-earth, head to Lac Bleu before reaching Ambérieu-en-Bugey. In short, you’ll have plenty to enjoy in nature and take the best photos of your June in just one day.
