Péronnas is a suburb on the southern edge of Bourg-en-Bresse, and the high ground near it is little more than a gentle swell where three landscapes meet. North and west lies the Bresse, flat and green; south, the Dombes begins, with its ponds and woods; and east, the abrupt wooded wall of the Revermont rises out of the plain like the edge of a stage set. On a clear day the snowy Alps sometimes appear far beyond, an unexpected bonus.
The area's chief cultural treasure is just next door in Bourg: the Monastery of Brou, a shimmering piece of late Gothic architecture whose glazed tile roof catches the sun. But Péronnas itself has its own quieter history. It was long a farming village before Bourg's growth swallowed much of it, and old farmhouses with deep roofs still stand among the newer houses.
The riding here is mostly about transition. The roads south into the Dombes are gentle and flowing, with ponds glinting through the trees, while the routes east climb steeply into the Revermont, where the fun really begins: switchbacks up to small villages, ridge roads with long views, and descents into limestone valleys. Around Péronnas itself, traffic can be busy with commuters and shoppers, so pick your time.
Fuel, food and coffee are plentiful in Péronnas and Bourg-en-Bresse. Bresse chicken and the creamy dishes of the region are on many menus, and Bourg has a good covered market. This is a good place to regroup before tackling the hills.