Bellignat is a commune in the department of Ain, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, south-west of Oyonnax which it borders.
Its territory of nearly 8 km² ranges from 516 to 983 m above sea level, located at the gates of the Jura, in the natural region of Haut-Bugey. Crossed by the course of the Lange, the locality is covered with forests which represent two thirds of its surface, in particular those of Nierme in the east and Châtelard, in the west. Including the reliefs of the town, these massifs are made up of fir trees, spruces, beeches and various hardwoods.
On the other hand, agriculture is now only marginal, and there are now only a few dozen hectares of crops and meadows.
The town, which has seen its demography boosted in recent decades to now have nearly 3,700 inhabitants, has nevertheless become a stronghold of the "Plastic Valley", in Oyonnax and its region: the European Pole of Plastics is indeed located in Bellignat, intended to train future engineers, the Arbez Carme high school, specializing in this sector, and a technopole dedicated to the plastics industry.
Its leisure offer linked to a particularly green and preserved environment nevertheless makes the locality a stopover to take into account during a stay in Bugey.
In terms of heritage, the parish church of Saint-Christophe is the major site of the town. It dates from the end of the 16th century, as evidenced by its altar consecrated in 1587 and offered then by "Clément Agnel, of Saint Oyen de Joux (today Saint-Claude), notary general of the County of Burgundy", as it is reads on an inscription adjoining a sculpted stone visible in the south chapel. Ravaged during the war with the Francs-Comtois in 1636, the building was restored in 1664 (date engraved above the arch of the entrance porch). At that time, no less than 800 fir trees were felled to rebuild the church, which was soon attached to the Abbey of Saint-Claude (1742). These links with the monastery also explain the birth then of the craftsmanship of turning in the parish (manufacture of wooden articles dedicated to pilgrims). The plastics industry is the distant heir. First equipped with a dome typical of the Comtois style (in the shape of an imperial), the bell tower-porch was rebuilt in 1803. It now takes the form of a pavilion surmounted by a spire. Finally, the church was restored in the years 1970-1980, then equipped with decorations and sculpted furniture as well as canvases produced by local artists.
The Town Hall is also worth a look. It was commissioned in 1912 from the architect Léopold Lavaud and built in two phases. A first phase of work was completed in 1922 (central part reserved for the town hall and north wing housing the school and housing), a second in 1925 (the south wing housing the post office). Of noble craftsmanship and characteristic style of the inter-war period, the building is now entirely occupied by the offices and services of the town hall, the village having become a real city… in the countryside.
As far as cultural leisure is concerned, activities are offered by the Jacques Prévert center (contact on +33 4 74 73 41 07) and associative shows are organized at the village hall (join +33 4 74 77 60 32).
As for sport, it is possible to reserve a tennis court with the local club on +33 6 24 96 43 74. The Club Alpin Français section offers outings dedicated to hiking, climbing and even cross-country skiing in season on the reliefs of the town or the nearby Jura massif: inquire at +33 4 74 73 85 41. cycle tour program. Information on +33 6 75 67 29 51.
On the territory (woods, banks of the river) and its surroundings, the marked hiking trails also accessible to Nordic walking enthusiasts are legion: some routes, however, include difficulties due to the relief. Maps and information from the tourist office on +33 4 74 12 11 57.
