Jura Mountains
Between France, Germany and Switzerland, the Jura Mountains form a crescent-shaped mountain range, with the highest peak at 1720 meters. In summer and winter alike, its climate and simple beauty make it an ideal location for natural activities, from long hikes in the forests that line its slopes to cross-country skiing on the countless trails that stretch from Bellegarde to Pontarlier.
With around 300 kilometers of mountain folds, the Jura is a multi-faceted region, with towns of art and history such as Dole, natural beauties such as Lake Vouglans and famous resorts such as Les Rousses.
In terms of nature, the region's diverse landscape offers a wealth of underground treasures and majestic waterfalls, such as the grotte Sainte-Anne or the Queue de Cheval waterfall in Saint-Claude, as well as some more unexpected sights: the Haut-Jura nature park, for example, maps the massif's Remarkable sites, which boast unique acoustics.
In terms of culture, numerous castles and religious sites, such as the imperial abbey of Baume-les-Messieurs or the hermitage of Sainte-Anne, easily become the starting or finishing point for excursions through the small towns of the Comtoises, such as Château-Chalon, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.
And if you're looking to recharge your batteries after a busy day of adventure, between Bresse chicken and potée franc-comtoise, you can count on a wide range of dishes... made with Comté cheese! Fondue, cake, egg rolls, soufflé or gratin dauphinois, this typical cheese can be found on every menu in the Jura.
