Les Rousses

Les Rousses is a commune in the eastern Jura region that spreads across mountainous terrain with elevations ranging from roughly 720 to 1,300 meters (2,360 to 4,265 feet). The area consists of four connected villages forming a compact mountain zone with forests, meadows, and ski runs.

The area grew as a rural mountain settlement with farming roots, but gained importance after the construction of Fort des Rousses in the 19th century. This former military structure was later opened to the public and now draws visitors with its system of underground passages.

The villages here are shaped by cheesemaking and winter sports, practices that have defined mountain life for generations. Visitors can experience these traditions firsthand when local dairies open their doors and the slopes become gathering places in winter.

The resort offers multiple ski lifts during winter that connect different slopes with varying difficulty levels. Visitors can book accommodations through local services, making it easy to find a place to stay that suits their needs.

The underground chambers of the fort now serve as temperature-controlled spaces for aging local Comté cheese. This unexpected purpose transforms the old military structure into a working part of the region's food production since the late 1990s.

Location: Jura

Location: arrondissement of Saint-Claude

Elevation above the sea: 1,140 m

Shares border with: Bellefontaine, Bois-d'Amont, Longchaumois, Hauts-de-Bienne, Prémanon

Address: Les Rousses, France

Phone: +33384600152

Email: contact@mairielesrousses.fr

Website: http://mairielesrousses.fr

GPS coordinates: 46.48583,6.06167

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:41