The Jura, located in eastern France, is a department known for its mountainous massif and its natural sites exceptional. There are also typical villages, listed towns and a vignoble renamed. Ideal destination for family holidays, the Jura is a nature escapadewhich allows many sports and cultural activities.
A preserved natural heritage
The Jura is a nature destinationexceptional, packed with spectacular sites. Between peaks, lakes and caves mysterious, nature is everywhere in the Jura Mountains.
It's impossible to prioritise a destination, the Hérisson Valley and the 7 Lakes Plateau make you dizzy with so much to discover! Waterfalls, the regional nature park and emblematic peaks of the Jura mountain range such as Crêt de la neige and its 1720 m altitude are invitations to trekking and a breath of fresh air.
And for lovers of water sports, the Rivière de la Saine will take you on thrilling kayak escapades through the gorges and chasms that dot the Haute Vallée de la Saine.
A land of lakes, the Jura offers some of the largest and most beautiful in France, such as the lac de Vouglans, France's third-largest artificial lake with 35km of emerald water and landscaped sandy beaches. You'll also discover the lac de Chalain, the largest natural lake in the Jura, with its turquoise waters, Narlay, Ilay, Petit et Grand Maclu, the 4 lakes dominated by the "Pic de l'Aigle" or the seaside resort of Clairvaux-les-Lacs.
And with all this wonderful nature, the Jura is home to a wild mountain fauna that you can observe on your hikes. The capercaillie, lynx, peregrine falcon, chamois and grey heron are emblematic species of the Jurassic wildlife you'll love to meet...
More accessible, you'll also discover the Montbéliarde cow and the Comtois horse, true regional symbols.
A sporting land
In this exceptional natural setting, the Jura allows many sports and outdoor activities, in all seasons. The many lakes are ideal for water sports, kayaking, canoeing... or a peaceful swim in the crystal-clear waters.
Prefer caving or mountain biking? Put on your helmet, because the caves and gorges will challenge you! And don't let the veil of winter lull the country to sleep... The mountains will allow you to put on your snowshoes or skis and make your way through the fir trees to the snow-capped peaks of the Les Rousses resort.
All year round, the Jura welcomes you for family holidays under the sign of the outdoor and wilderness sports. One of great challenges and immense spaces to conquer.
A pleasurable interlude
Gastronomy and cultural tours are also on the programme for a stay in the Jura with your family. Wine and cheese are the local specialities (consume in moderation and especially the people you love!). In terms of cheeses, there are 3 Jura PDO, the county, the morbier and the Bleu du Haut-Jura pair with bread, jam and fruit. On the wine side, if the yellow wine, the straw wine or the Macvin are known the world over, the vignobles du Jura offer many other wines and crémants to match your platters for exceptional gastronomic evenings. Here's something to delight gourmands and lovers of fine wines, young and old alike (and while alcohol is forbidden to minors, there's no age limit for loving cheese!)
You'll also be able to discover with your family a destination with rich cultural and craft traditions and historical heritage.
Saint-Claude, the pipe capital, will introduce you to forgotten crafts such as briar pipe making and the diamond lapidary tradition. The former city of the Dukes of Chalon, Nozeroy invites you to travel back in time with its former diocesan cathedral, its Abbey museum and its medieval festival.
More unusual: the salt museum and the great saltworks at the aptly named Salins-les-Bains will put a real artisan's craft behind the now so commonplace gesture of adding a pinch of salt to your meal.
