French Jura Attractions
The French Jura, roughly corresponding to the old province of Franche-Comté, lies in eastern France, bounded on the west by Burgundy and on the north by the Vosges, though compared with these areas it is relatively unknown to tourists.
Read More
Reculées
(Jura Rivers and Valleys)
The Reculées are found from Arbois to Lons-le-Saunier and Pont-de-Poitte. These scenic valleys feature sheer cliffs walls and, in some cases, caves.
Read More
Cascades Hérisson
A series of waterfalls lie along the river Hérisson. Among the most impressive are the Grand Saut and the Cascade de l'Eventail.
Cirque des Baumes
Three km/2mi south of Baume-les-Messieurs is the Cirque des Baumes, with an interesting cave.
Colombey de Gex
One of the finest viewpoints in the Jura is the Colombey de Gex (1,689m/ 5,542ft), near the Swiss frontier. It is reached on a road which runs south from the Col de la Faucille and a footpath which takes off from the road; the ascent takes about two hours. From the summit there are fine views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. 4km/2.5mi northeast is Mont-Rond.
Crêt de Chalam
The Crêt de Chalam (1,548m/5,079ft), which rears above the Valserine, is another fine viewpoint (to the east the Jura hills; to the southeast Mont Blanc, visible in clear weather).
Read More
Doubs
(Jura Rivers and Valleys)
The Doubs meanders its way down the valley for 430 km, through the Doubs gorges. Particularly impressive in this area are the Cluse-et-Mijoux gorge and the Lac de Chaillexon waterfall.
Génissiat Dam
The Génissiat Dam (1948) has formed an artificial lake on the Doubs which powers a hydro-electric station. The lake extends back for 23km/14mi to the Swiss frontier. The whole complex is a triumph of French hydraulic engineering.
Read More
Loue
(Jura Rivers and Valleys)
Featured in some works by French painter Courbet, the Loue is a scenic river that often attracts canoeists.
Arbois - Planches Cave
The Grotte des Planches was inhabited in prehistoric times and still contains remains from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods and the Bronze Age. The cave has numerous galleries with a series of laces and giant cauldrons.
Hours
April 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Audincourt
The industrial town of Audincourt (pop. 15,537) on the Doubs has an interesting modern church (by Novarina, 1951) with stained glass windows by Fernand Léger and mosaics by Bazaine.
Baume-les-Dames, France
Baume-les-Dames (pop. 5,407), formerly called Baume-les-Nonnes, owes its name to a convent founded in the seventh C. for ladies of noble birth. The old abbey church has been restored. The church of St-Martin, in the Place de la République, was rebuilt in the 17th C.
Baume-les-Dames Tourist Office
6, rue de Provence
BP 14101
F-25110 Baume-les-Dames
France
6, rue de Provence
BP 14101
F-25110 Baume-les-Dames
France
Baume-les-Messieurs, France
The village of Baume-les-Messieurs, picturesquely situated at an altitude of 320m/1,050ft under a chalk cliff, grew up round an abbey founded by the Irish monk Columban in the sixth C. The famous abbey of Cluny was founded by Benedictine monks from here in 910. The Romanesque-Gothic church (12th-15th C.) has a beautiful Flemish triptych (16th C.) as well as fine sculpture and a number of tombs.
Baume-les-Messieurs Caves
The Grotte de Baume-les-Messieurs has been opened to the public since the late 19th C but did not operate officially until 1929. The cave is 120m long and filled with thousands of stalagmites and stalactites, and even waterfalls.
Hours
April 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Château d'Arlay
The Château d'Arlay was built in classical style in the 17th C. It originally served as a monastery in the village of Arlay, but was renovated in 1830. Today it is a museum and one of the best estates of the Jura.
Hours
June 15 to September 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Divonne Festival
This annual two-week festival takes place in late June and includes various concerts of chamber music, ranging from solo performances to chamber orchestras and string quartets. There are usually 15 organized events, all of which take place at the 19th C Theater.
Ferney-Voltaire - Chateau de Voltaire, France
7km/4mi northwest of Le Lignon, in French territory (bus services, on a road which passes under the runways of Cointrin airport in a tunnel), is Ferney-Voltaire (pop. 2,000), once a potters' town. To the west of the little town is the château which Voltaire acquired in 1758 and later enlarged, where he held court until shortly before his death (mementos). Above the former chapel is the inscription "Deo erexit Voltaire". In front of the Town Hall is a statue of Voltaire by Lambert.
Hours
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Gex
Gex (alt. 628m/2,060ft; pop. 3,200), 12km/7.5mi below the Col de la Faucille, is a popular medium-altitude resort, conveniently close to the mountains and to Geneva. From Place Gambetta there is a fine view of Mont Blanc.
Jura Region, France
The region of Jura features a number of grape varieties that cannot be found anywhere else in France, including the black Poulsard, Trousseau and the Savagnin.
Juan-les-Pins Tourist Office
55 boulevard Ch Guillaumont
F-06160 Juan-les-Pins
France
55 boulevard Ch Guillaumont
F-06160 Juan-les-Pins
France
Molain - Moidons Caves
The Grottes des Moidons were discovered in 1966 and opened to the public in 1989. They are located in a nature reserve in the Jurassian forest, with numerous rooms and galleries. There are gigantic stalagmites and columns as well as pools and even a light and sound show.
Hours
April 16 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Nozeroy, France
The picturesquely situated little place of Nozeroy (pop. 450) has preserved its old-world aspect, with two town gates, a 15th C. church, old houses in the Grande Rue and the Clock Gate, the last relic of the Château des Chalons.
Nozeroy Office de Tourisme
Maison des Annonciades
F-39250 Nozeroy
France
Maison des Annonciades
F-39250 Nozeroy
France
Ornans, France
Ornans (pop. 4,300), in the valley of the Loue, was the birthplace of the painter Gustave Courbet (1819-1877); the house in which he was born is now a museum. It is an attractive little town, with old houses and a 12th C. church, originally Romanesque, which was altered and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries and is richly furnished.
Ornans Tourist Office
7 rue Pierre Vernier
F-25290 Ornans
France
7 rue Pierre Vernier
F-25290 Ornans
France
Pontarlier, France
Pontarlier (pop. 18,357), close to the Swiss frontier, is of more interest as a center from which to explore the surrounding area than for its own sights - a triumphal arch, the Porte St-Pierre, the church of St-Bénigne (originally 15th C., rebuilt in 17th C.) and a chapel.
Salins-les-Bains
Salins-les-Bains, in the narrow valley of the Furieuse, is noted for its brine springs, which were already being exploited in Roman times and are still used for medicinal purposes. A tour of the workings, 250 m/820ft underground, is an impressive experience. The town still preserves remains of its old walls. The church of St-Anatole (13th C.) is a fine example of Burgundian Gothic. In the 18th C. Town Hall is the 17th C. chapel of Notre-Dame-la-Libératrice.
Salins les Bains Tourist Office
Place des Salines
F-39110 Salins les Bains
France
Place des Salines
F-39110 Salins les Bains
France