The Jura, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is a 4-season tourist destination that is both unique and varied. It offers a diversity of landscapes, atmospheres and cultures that make it a rich destination, full of resources and unexpected discoveries.
From west to east, a variety of areas rise up like a staircase, from the Doloise and Bresse plains to the Jura Mountains, via the vineyards, the Pays des Lacs and the Petite Montagne. Whether you're in a town or the countryside, a secret retreat or one of the world's great sites, you're sure to find the holiday that's right for you!
Top 5 Charmhotel
1 – Natural sites
Champagnole is a small town in the heart of the Lacs region, at the gateway to the Haut-Jura, making it an ideal base from which to discover the region's most beautiful natural sites. Here are just a few of the sites you're sure to have heard of: the famous Cascades du Hérisson waterfalls, Lac de Chalain, Lac de Vouglans and the splendid Belvedere des 4 Lacs. If you're also drawn to the mysteries of caves, you won't be disappointed by the many caves such as those at Baume-les-Messieurs and Les Moidons, just a few kilometres from the hotel.
The region is also great for hiking, with numerous signposted footpaths, including the famous 48km Route des Sapins, where you can admire the Sapin Président, voted the most beautiful tree in the La Joux forest.
2 - Typical villages
Do you love wine and picturesque villages? You'll be charmed by the hilltop village of Château-Chalon, just 27km from Champagnole, as well as the medieval town of Nozeroy, just 15km away.
Another typical village not to be missed is Beaume les Messieurs, where you'll spend a good part of the day visiting its abbey, its caves, and to finish, stopping to stroll in front of its sublime Tufs waterfall!
To continue your discovery of Jura wines, head for Arbois, where you can also learn more about Louis Pasteur, who lived between here and Dole, where you can visit the house where he was born.
3 – Culture and heritage
With a thirst for culture and heritage, let the visits begin! Buildings and monuments that are often unique will leave you with unforgettable memories: the Salines de Salins-les-Bains or Arc-et-Senans (both UNESCO listed) will give you in-depth knowledge of the importance of salt in the region, but also castles such as Arlay, the fortified castle of Frontenay, or the château du Pin, will take you back into history. And very close to the hotel, visit the Villa Palladienne to discover the architecture of the XIXᵉ century. You can also go as far as Besançon to discover the impressive Vauban citadel: in other words, a mountain of discoveries awaits you!
4 – Know-how
Thanks to its rich and diverse heritage, the Jura is home to a wealth of excellent know-how, and as a result has inherited a number of museums that are astonishing in the diversity of their themes: the spectacle industry at the Musée de la Lunette, toys at the Musée du Jouet, science at the Maisons Pasteur in Arbois and Dole, the North Pole at the Espace des Mondes Polaires, gastronomy at the recently opened Maison du Comté in Poligny and the Fort des Rousses, the history of the brand at the Maison de la Vache qui rit, not forgetting classical and modern art at the Beaux-arts museums in Dole and Lons-le-Saunier, the Abbaye museum in Saint Claude and the Musée des Arts urbains in Toulouse-le-Château...
5 – Local products
Since it's important to tantalise your taste buds, it's impossible to leave without a piece of Comté or Morbier cheese from one of the 150 Jura cheese dairies, which is the perfect accompaniment to a glass of Jura wine from a winemaker you've found on the Wine Route!
And let's not forget the cured meats and artisanal products produced in the pipes of the Doubs, such as the Morteau sausage with which you are no doubt familiar.
And why not take the opportunity to visit an absinthe or Pontarlier distillery in the town of the same name!
Let your desires guide you... !
