Arbois Attractions

Arbois (pop. 3,698) is picturesquely situated. Louis Pasteur, a native of Dole, spent his early years in Arbois and frequently returned there. His parents' house has been preserved as it was and is open to the public. Other features of interest are the 18th C houses in the Place de la Liberté, the Town Hall (formerly a monastic house), the church of St-Just (12th-13th C), the Wine Museum and the Musée Sarret de Grozon (furniture, ceramics, pictures).

2km/1.5mi southeast of the town is where Pasteur did much of his research into fermentation in 1878.

Near Arbois, in a V-shaped valley, are the two sources of the Cuisance and the entrance to the Grotte des Planches. The D469 leads up to the Cirque de Fer à Cheval, from where there is a fine view.
Henri Maire owns the largest estate and merchant house in the region, both of which are based in Arbois.

The Fête des Vins D'Arbois takes place around the middle of July. Another interesting festival which takes place on the first Sunday of September is the Fête du Biou. On this day huge bunches of grapes are carried through the streets of Arbois to the church of St-Just.