Visit Jura: natural sites, historic villages, and mountain resorts

These limestone gorges stretch over 3 kilometers and were carved by the Saine River between vertical rock walls reaching up to 100 meters in height. The Gorges de Langouette offer pedestrian access along the river course, which winds through narrow passages between the cliffs.

Dole served as the capital of Franche-Comté until 1674. The town preserves the 16th-century Notre-Dame collegiate church, townhouses with arcades lining the streets, and numerous mansions built between 1500 and 1700 for the wealthy families of the region.

Les Rousses is a mountain resort situated at 1120 meters altitude in the French Jura. The station features alpine ski slopes, an extensive network of cross-country skiing trails, and numerous hiking paths that traverse the forests and plateaus of the region. During summer, these trails serve for hiking and mountain biking.

The Cascades du Hérisson form a succession of 31 waterfalls along the Hérisson River in the French Jura. This natural formation extends over a distance of 3.7 kilometers and descends through an elevation change of 255 meters. The tallest of these waterfalls, the Eventail, reaches a height of 60 meters and represents one of the most notable natural features in the region.

The saltworks of Salins-les-Bains operated from the Middle Ages until 1962, producing salt from underground sources. This industrial facility is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and features a network of underground galleries that can be visited today.

Arbois is the center of wine production in the Jura and houses the residence and laboratory of Louis Pasteur, where the scientist conducted his research on fermentation. The 13th-century Saint-Just church dominates the old town with its octagonal bell tower. Numerous wine cellars open their doors for tastings of regional wines such as Vin Jaune and Crémant du Jura.

Château-Chalon is a village perched on a rocky spur at 200 meters altitude and is considered the historical birthplace of vin jaune, a distinctive wine specialty from the French Jura. The village stands above the vineyards and offers wide views over the plain.

The Reculée de Baume-les-Messieurs is a blind valley carved into the limestone plateau with vertical rock walls reaching 200 meters in height. This geological formation includes three natural caves and a narrow valley that surrounds the village of Baume-les-Messieurs. The limestone walls form an enclosed cirque created by erosion over several millennia.

Lons-le-Saunier is the prefecture of the Jura department and features a thermal spa known since Roman times for its saline springs. This town houses a 19th-century Italian-style theater and the birthplace of Rouget de Lisle, composer of the French national anthem La Marseillaise.

The Lac de Vouglans is an artificial reservoir stretching 35 kilometers in length, created in 1968 by the construction of the Vouglans dam on the Ain River. The hydroelectric power station uses the dam structure to generate electricity and supplies the region with renewable energy.

Nozeroy is a medieval fortified town founded in the 13th century on a rocky promontory. The town served as the capital of a small lordship and retained its fortified structure. Several gates and sections of defensive walls still surround the old center today. The streets follow the medieval layout with the central square as the focal point.

Lac de Clairvaux is a natural lake of glacial origin divided into two basins. Prehistoric remains discovered on its shores date back over 6000 years. Located in the Jura, this lake bears witness to the geological history of the region and the presence of early human settlements.

Lac de Chalain is a natural lake of glacial origin located at 500 meters altitude in the Jura massif. The lake covers an area of 230 hectares and reaches a maximum depth of 32 meters.

Saint-Claude is an industrial town in the Haut-Jura that developed within the Tacon gorges. The town has preserved since 1857 its craft traditions in pipe making and diamond cutting, two activities that have shaped its economic identity.

Champagnole is a town of 8000 inhabitants located at 559 meters altitude at the entrance of the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park. The town developed as a center for wood processing and hosts several industrial facilities rooted in the forestry tradition.

The Pertes de l'Ain is a geological formation near Bourg-de-Sirod where the Ain River disappears into natural cavities in the limestone bedrock and flows underground for approximately 13 kilometers before resurfacing at Pont-de-Poitte. This phenomenon results from the erosion of the karst rock over time.

The Belvédère des Roches is an observation point located on the first plateau of Jura, rising above the commune of Crançot. From this location, visitors can observe the landscape of the Seille Valley as well as the extensive Bressane Plain stretching into the distance.

The Château de Syam is a neoclassical residence built in 1818 by architect Philibert Pidoux, adorned with frescoes and marble columns from Carrara.

These gorges form a deep geological formation along the Flumen river, where three successive waterfalls can be reached via a developed trail measuring 800 meters in length. The Gorges de l'Abîme allow visitors to observe the erosion processes that have shaped the limestone massif over millennia.

The Cluse du Flumen is a transverse valley near Saint-Claude carved by the Flumen river. The rocky walls rise up to 400 meters high, forming a narrow gorge. Several waterfalls mark the course of the river through this geological formation. The valley was formed by the erosive power of water over thousands of years.

The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park covers 178,000 hectares and includes dense coniferous forests, high-altitude pastures, lakes of glacial origin, and limestone summits. The territory offers hiking trails across different elevation zones and enables observation of the typical flora and fauna of the Jura mountain range.

The Métabief Mont d'Or resort is located in the Jura mountains and features 37 ski slopes extending between 950 and 1430 meters altitude. This winter sports center provides downhill skiing with various difficulty levels suitable for skiers of all abilities.

The lake of Bonlieu covers 20 hectares at 804 meters altitude. This natural body of water is surrounded by 200-meter limestone cliffs and extensive coniferous forests. The lake was formed by a natural landslide that blocked the valley. The surrounding area offers hiking trails along the wooded shores and provides access to several viewpoints over the plateau.

The Vallée de la Saine is a narrow valley in the Jura massif, crossed by the Saine River. This gorge offers steep rock walls, natural pools and several waterfalls that cascade over different levels. Access is via hiking trails that follow the river course and pass through forested slopes.

This wildlife park covers 15 hectares and allows visitors to observe animals native to the Jura massif, including deer, lynx, chamois, and marmots in their natural habitat.

The Pic de l'Aigle is a natural observation point in the Jura that offers views over the four lakes of the region. From this elevated location, visitors can observe Lakes Ilay, Narlay, Petit Maclu and Grand Maclu, which are set within the forested landscape and formed by glacial processes.

Poligny is a small town in the heart of the Jura, recognized as the capital of Comté cheese. The town features a well-preserved historic center with several churches dating from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Poligny houses numerous cheese cellars and the Maison du Comté, where visitors can discover the production of this protected cheese. The surrounding vineyards produce wines under the Côtes du Jura appellation.

The Bresse du Jura extends across the western part of the department and presents a rural landscape with numerous ponds. This region is characterized by its traditional timber-framed farmhouses, which reflect the architectural heritage of the area.

La Pesse is a mountain village located at 1163 meters altitude in the Haut-Jura Nature Park. This village sits in the heart of the Jura highlands and serves as a starting point for numerous winter activities. The local ski area features 150 kilometers of groomed cross-country skiing trails that wind through forests and open spaces. The surrounding area is also suitable for snowshoeing and offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

The source of the Ain emerges from an underground karst network in the limestone formation near Nozeroy. The water flows from a natural cavity and collects in a small basin before the river begins its course through the Jura massif.

These caves consist of a network of natural underground galleries extending 250 meters. The Grottes des Moidons showcase limestone formations shaped over thousands of years by water. The visit leads through various chambers with stalactites, stalagmites and other mineral deposits.

Lac de Narlay is a glacial lake with a depth of 40 meters. This lake formed during the last ice age and is located in the heart of the Jura mountains. In summer, Lac de Narlay offers opportunities for swimming in clear water and fishing.

Lac d'Ilay is a glacial lake formed during the last ice age. This natural body of water sits nestled among coniferous forests and offers a monitored swimming area during summer months. Several walking trails circle the lake and allow exploration of the surrounding forested landscape of the Jura mountains.