Introduction
Situated in the east of France, the department of Jura is named after the Jura Mountains which run down the French-Swiss frontier between the Rhine and Rhône rivers. Unlike their Alpine counterparts, the Jura Mountains are more wooded and gently rolling than sharp and rocky.
More popular among the French themselves than with foreign tourists, Jura's 5,000 square kilometres include beautiful lakes, forests, cascades and gorges and the region is famous for many unique types of food and wine.
History
Jura was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. It was composed from parts of the former province Franche-Comté, the Free County of Burgundy. The area has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic period. The Romans and many others since have enjoyed the hot springs in the region.
Franche-Comté became an independent county in the 5th century. After falling under Merovingian and then Carolingian control, it was refounded in 888. During the Middle Ages the area grew prosperous due to the salt mines and trade routes that passed through Jura. The county was only incorporated into France after the Treaty of Nijmegen in 1678.
Major cities
- Lons-le-Saunier (capital)
- Dole
- Arbois
- Poligny
- St Claude
- Salins
Weather
The weather in the lower valleys is mild, but higher in the mountains it can get bitterly cold; winters are harsh and can last up to 8 months. The rainfall is much above the French average.
Average high and low temperatures for Jura (Lons-le-Saunier)| Period | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|
| January | 1 to 6 | 34 to 42 |
| February | 2 to 7 | 35 to 45 |
| March | 4 to 12 | 40 to 54 |
| April | 7 to 15 | 44 to 59 |
| May | 11 to 20 | 52 to 68 |
| June | 14 to 24 | 58 to 76 |
| July | 15 to 25 | 60 to 77 |
| August | 16 to 26 | 60 to 78 |
| September | 13 to 22 | 55 to 71 |
| October | 10 to 17 | 50 to 62 |
| November | 4 to 9 | 39 to 49 |
| December | 2 to 6 | 36 to 43 |
Tourist attractions
Lons-le-Saunier is built over a hot spring which served first the Romans and now the modern thermal baths. Surrounding the capital is an area of erosion-carved valleys, with impressive cliffs and caves.
Morez, near the Swiss border, is a major location for the production and export of watches, clocks and spectacles, with numerous museums and other tourist attractions along these lines.
Grottes des Planches in Arbois is a cave that was inhabited from prehistoric times and now contains remains from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic eras.
The salt-water springs at Salins les Bains, in the Furieux valley, have been used for their medicinal properties since Roman times. The town was the site of a major salt works in the Middle Ages, as well as a centre for ceramics, which it remains.
Wine tasting
Jura is France's smallest wine-growing region, but nevertheless an important one. To the west of the department, from just north of Arbois to just south of Lons-le-Saunier, is an area of gently-sloping hills with vineyards planted on their sides. Both whites and reds are made here, with 5 grape varieties in use today: Chardonnay, Savagnin and Poulsard for the former, Trousseau and Pinot Noir for the latter.
Jura wines are distinctive and often unusual. Vin Jaune is particularly famous and is made in a similar way to Sherry, with the maturing wine placed in part-filled barrels in caves and cellars for at least 6 years, where the changes in temperature encourage a film of yeast to form on the surface (this also prevents oxidation turning the wine completely to vinegar). The best Vin Jaunes come from the hilltop village of Château-Chalon. Every February, the Percée du Vin Jaune is held – a weekend celebrating the wine, to which people turn out in their thousands.
Skiing
There are many options for skiing in Jura, whether you are interested in Alpine skiing, cross country or even exploring the forests in snowshoes. Most of the snow villages have ski lifts and the slopes are usually suitable for all the family. There are over 2,500 km of marked trails. Les Rousses is particularly good for beginner and intermediate skiers.
Walking
Jura's landscape is ideal for walkers. In the mountains there are waterfalls and impressive underground caves. Further west, the terrain gives way to the gentler hills of the wine-growing region, interspersed with beautiful rural villages and medieval towns.
Golf
There are a seven excellent golf courses in Jura, all surrounded by the gorgeous landscape.
Other activities
Other than skiing, horse riding, hiking and mountain biking, Jura caters to water-sports enthusiasts with canoeing/kayaking, fishing, rowing and water-skiing on the lakes, or a more leisurely barge trip down the Rhône -Rhine canal.
Food and drink
Jura is well known for numerous gastronomic specialities (as well as its chefs, who include Raymond Blanc). Its cooking favours charcuterie, particularly smoked ham, as well as fish caught from the Jura rivers and wild mushrooms from the forests. Several cheeses are locally made, including Gruyère, Morbier and Cancoillotte. Bleu de Gex, a soft blue cheese, is used to make fondues. Chocolate and kirsch are also specialities of the department.
Ease of access
By car from Paris, take E15/A6 south-east towards Dijon, then E60 east and A39 south to Lons-le-Saunier, which is to the west of the department. From Lyon, follow A42 north-east and then A39 north to get to Lons-le-Saunier.
The department is also served by the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranee (PLM) Railway (for tickets, see SNCF).
Value for money
Not as developed (or popular with foreign tourists), Jura is cheaper than much of the rest of France.
Summary
Jura provides a great opportunity to avoid other tourists whilst enjoying some beautiful and varied scenery and excellent cooking.
