Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park, Regional natural park in eastern France.
Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park covers 178,000 hectares of mountains, lakes, forests, and meadows in the Jura region between 950 and 1,720 meters in elevation. The territory spans three departments: Ain, Doubs, and Jura.
The park received official protection status in 1986 to preserve the natural heritage and traditional practices of the Jura mountains. This designation aimed to maintain the region's character and ecological balance.
Artisans in Saint-Claude continue centuries-old crafts like pipe making, gemstone cutting, and woodturning that remain central to daily life in the region. These skills represent deep roots in the mountain community.
The Maison du Parc in Lajoux serves as the main visitor center with exhibitions and guided tours exploring the region's natural life. This is the best starting point to learn about trails, wildlife, and seasonal activities throughout the park.
A curious local tradition elects the finest conifer in the forest as the 'President Pine' and grants it an honorary title for life. This celebration reflects how closely residents connect to the woodlands.
Inception: 1986
Phone: +33384341230
Email: parc@parc-haut-jura.fr
Website: http://parc-haut-jura.fr
GPS coordinates: 46.40000,5.95000
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
France maintains eleven national parks and dozens of regional nature parks that protect diverse landscapes from the Mediterranean coast to the Alps. The protected areas preserve mountains, coastlines, wetlands, volcanic formations and forests. They provide habitat for various wildlife and plant species while offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and other outdoor activities. The Parc National des Écrins and Vanoise National Park lie in the French Alps, featuring alpine terrain with glaciers and mountain lakes. Mercantour National Park stretches from the Maritime Alps to the Mediterranean coast. Calanques National Park near Marseille protects limestone cliffs and inlets. Cévennes National Park in Occitanie encompasses forested mountains and plateaus. Coastal areas such as Port-Cros and Camargue preserve Mediterranean ecosystems and wetlands. The Volcans d'Auvergne in the Massif Central protects extinct volcanoes and lava fields, while parks like Morvan and Ballons des Vosges preserve forested mid-elevation ranges.
The Jura department features varied landscapes with mountain ranges, limestone plateaus, and forested valleys. The terrain has shaped notable geological sites: the Hérisson waterfalls stretch over nearly 4 kilometers with 31 waterfalls, the Baume-les-Messieurs Reculée forms a closed valley with 200-meter-high walls, and the Langouette Gorges show a canyon carved by the Saine between vertical cliffs. Historic towns reflect the past of the region: Dole preserves its collegiate church and 16th- and 17th-century houses with arcades, Arbois hosts the Louis Pasteur house and wine cellars, while Salins-les-Bains displays its old salt production facilities listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Jura vineyards produce specific wines, including the yellow wine made in Château-Chalon, a village perched on a rocky spur overlooking the vineyards. The Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park offers hiking trails and cross-country skiing routes. The ski resorts of Les Rousses and Métabief welcome winter visitors at over 1100 meters altitude. Glacial lakes such as Chalain allow swimming and water activities during the summer.
University of Geneva
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Palace of Nations
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Fort l'Écluse
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Lac de Joux
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Cascades des Tufs - Cuisance
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Brunswick Monument
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