Aerial view | ©Classiccardinal / CC-BY-SARené, the humanist
The Allymes and Ain department
Let me introduce René de Lucinge. The humanist, the writer, the diplomat, the quiet man famous for one great thing: this chap negotiated the treaty of Lyon with king of France Henri IV and duke of Savoie Charles-Emmanuel.
It brought Bugey area (where is located les Allymes) under the jurisdiction of France, in 1601... which will create the current department of Ain !
René’s castle
What about Lucinge? Well, tired of political life, he took rest in his Allymes castle.
By that time, it looked like a quadrilateral flanked by a keep and high towers, surrounded by strong walls; inhabitants of the village lived in the farmyard.
We still can see this huge 30 metres keep with its wall 2,50 metres thick. Its two floors have a vast square room.
The visit of les Allymes
In the keep, we have exhibitions, a nice collection of farming equipment from the 20th c… even René de Lucinge has his own exhibition in a Louis XIII style room.
Don’t miss the covered way with its pretty view on the Bresse landscape.