Tourist Information Guide Che-Com an Té Fr
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Tourist Information Guide che-Com an té Fr Jura… Getting to the Jura area The name itself implies character, mystery – and indeed, visitors discover not one but several Juras, each one more breathtaking than the last. From the poetic ponds of Bresse to the snowy peaks of the Dôle, Jura’s wonder unfurl like Russian dolls: the magic of the Chaux forest, Vignoble’s good living, the gentle pace of the lake district and the “Low Mountains”, the sumptuous Haut-Jura… Every step of the way, you will rave about another landscape, another spread of colour, another playground… And just when you think you have seen it all, the best is yet to be discovered: and it is all so unexpected! www.jura-tourism.com Table of Contents Getting here P.2 Taste Jura p.78 Jura Maps P.3 Our most surprising nature sites p.80 13 highlights of the Jura P.4 Towns and villages to be visited p.82 4 micros région of the Jura P.17 Spas p.83 Pays Dolois et Bresse Jurassienne P.18 Treks p.84 Pays Vignoble et Revermont P.28 Outdoor activities p.89 Pays Lacs et Petite Montagne P.40 Oenotourism p.94 Pays Haut-Jura P.50 Winter activities p.96 Discovering Jura by Themes p.70 Families p.102 A page of history p.70 Tourism and Disability p.106 Museums p.72 Index p.107 Craftsmanship and know-how p.76 Useful addresses p.110 Tel. +33(0)3 25 71 20 20 Reproduction forbiddenMaps by ACTUAL www.actual.tm.fr 129-39/JMP/12-04 10 km Le Pays Dolois et Bresse Jurassienne Le Pays Vignoble et Revermont Le Pays Lacs et Petite Montagne Le Pays Haut-Jura 3 MUST-SEE PLACES Dole The town of liberty of the Franche-Comté inhabitants Take a town with a strong personality - and if possible enjoying the status of a ‘Ville d’Art et d’Histoire’. Sprinkle it with some prestigious buildings and top that with a magnifi cent Baroque collegiate church. Then put an expanse of water under it and one of the most beautiful forests in France to the side of it and there you have it - welcome to Dole. unexpected ouis Pasteur was born here and Marcel Aymé spent part of his Surrounded by the Tanneurs Lchildhood in Dole: these two famous sons of the town are just canal, the River Doubs and one reason to come and visit the former capital of. Franche-Comté. the Rhine- Rhône canal, Dole is Dole is a green city and there’s nothing better than strolling along the River Doubs or the Tanneurs Canal which used to be home to often referred to as ‘the little people working like bees... After that, take in Old Dole and pay a visit Venice of the Jura‘. You can to the Hôtel-Dieu (the old General Hospital) or the Gothic basilica: explore it, along the water’s from the top of the bell tower you can see miles and miles of edge, by bicycle on the outstanding scenery. Let’s not forget the Eurobicycleroute, the Eurovéloroute which links Nantes Rhine-Rhone Canal and the mysterious Chaux Forest! with Budapest via the Dole area Find out more… www.tourisme-paysdedole.fr or by boat, departing from the river port. 4 MUST-SEE PLACES Lons-le-Saunier Town Centre...or Greenery? Can the Capital of Jura avoid taking itself seriously? This town of paradoxes used to be the home of the Princes of Orange keeps a keen eye on its proud heritage while also providing a superb setting for taking it easy and pampering yourself… Just follow the guide! unexpected his delightful town benefi ts from a fi ne location (on side there Not every town can Tis the River Bresse and on the other mountains) and is the main count amongst its children, town in Jura with a many centuries of trading and tourism behind the most famous French it. In addition to being a charming thoroughfare (place de la Liberté, “street of arcades”…), Lons-le-Saunier is a centre of wellness: relaxa- citizen in Rouget de Lisle, tion guaranteed in the Lédonia thermal bath, diving into the Aqua’rel a giant in the exploration water fun centre or taking in the amazing Maison de La vache qui fi eld in Paul-Emile Victor, rit® (Laughing Cow Centre) ?… As you can see, Lons-le-Saunier is an and an author whose books entertaining place not short of imagination! are essential reading, Find out more… www.ot-lons-le-saunier.com in Bernard Clavel. 5 MUST-SEE PLACES Salins-les-Bains Between two forts Take an outstanding natural site- the bottom of a large steephead valley. Keep it guarded by two old forts, add a Petite Cité Comtoise de Caractère (Small Comté City Full of Character), a spa resort renowned for the benefi t of its naturally salty water and a monument included on the UNESCO World Heritage list: welcome to Salins-les-Bains. unexpected ou’re bound to fall in love with Mont Poupet when viewing it Look up and you will see Dfrom Fort Saint-André and the banks of the River Furieuse. But a sky which is rainbow- you need to go the very heart of the Grande Saline (UNESCO) to coloured from the parachutes really appreciate this town’s rich history as the saltworks were the focal point of the town and salt was the driver behind the wealth of the paragliders taking off of Salins-les-Bains. This has now been replaced by the spa baths from the neighbouring Mont attracting people from all over France coming to enjoy the unique Poupet (Poupet Mountain). benefi ts of the salt-loaded water rich in trace elements. However, Why not try your hand Salins-les-Bains also has other features making it well worth yourself? stopping off on the Pasteur and the Gabelous Trail! Find out more… www.salins-les-bains.com 6 MUST-SEE PLACES Arbois Star-spangled capital of gastronomy This is the wine capital of Jura, a small town where life is good: the yellow-ochre stonework of the old village is the perfect setting for just relaxing on one of the terraces of one of its gastronomic restaurants. However, this, Louis Pasteur country, holds quite a few more little surprises! unexpected hen arriving in Arbois you are immediately struck by the uniform Wnature of its architecture and its gentle village pace; here, instead Make sure you stop off at one of of major roads and prestigious monuments, you’ll fi nd a charming place the gastro-restaurants which are with harmonious arcades, engaging districts where the vineyard cottages and the B&Bs stand side-by-side, quaint little romantic gardens and a the pride of Arbois and, in particular, never-ending supply of fresh water from the River Cuisance. The best way taste the gastronomic delights to discover Arbois is by walking- just taking a nice leisurely stroll up to of Jean-Paul Jeunet, its two Saint-Just, the magnifi cent church, or push open the front door of the Michelin-star-rated chef. This little family home of Louis Pasteur or pay a visit to the institut et le musée de village is recognised as a “Site la Vigne et du Vin (Wine Museum) where you can learn everything about this ancestral know-how…From the Château-Pécauld to the numerous Remarquable du Goût” (Site of wine cellars where you can taste the village wines, you are only a small Outstanding Gastronomy) for the step away from the vineyards or the Jura wine trail. know-how of its culinary artisans. Do you want to journey up to the source of the the River Cuisance? Passing And you mustn’t leave Pasteur’s the village of Les Planches-Près-Arbois, you will reach the foot of the highest and most remote part of Jura – in this “world’s end” from where homeland without tasting the the Tufs waterfall gushes forth, you can penetrate to the very core of the chocolates made by Edouard earth in search of a breathtaking network of caves. Whether it is Hirsinger, winner of the prestigious reminiscent of an art gallery or a cinematic landscape, this geological trip title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de is pure poetry - an anthem to erosion. France” (Best Worker in France). Find out more… www.arbois.com 7 MUST-SEE PLACES Château-Chalon Keeping watch over a dazzling vineyard Château-Chalon is a veritable jewel in the crown of wine-growing. It towers over the Revermont valley like a sentinel, but is not simply the ‘guiding light’ of vineyards – it is the birthplace of the legendary Vin Jaune (Yellow Wine) and it is a village where legend is interwoven with history. unexpected f the writer Bernard Clavel, who fell in love with the village the Guardian of the vineyard, Imoment he set foot in it, can be inspired by Château-Chalon over Château-Chalon is perched the course of several years, then anybody else who comes here will at the side of a cliff and has, not fail to be touched by it. Its impregnable location, together with all its quaint charm and warmth, give it that extra special something for centuries, extended its that elevates it into the very exclusive club of ‘les Cités Comtoises watchful gaze to the borders de Caractere (PCCC). A place of major importance in the wine- of its remote neighbours. The growing history of Jura, the name of Château-Chalon is synonymous landscape of this panoramic with one of the best vintage wines in the world, a divine amber- village is on a par with the coloured nectar – yes, you said it - Château-Chalon.