In winter, five reasonably sized ski resorts, including Jura Monts Rivières and Rousses, offer a wide range of activities for all levels of sports enthusiasts. Cross-country skiing or snow shoes, snowboarding or luge – the choice is yours! You can recharge your batteries after all that with a hearty stew from the Comtois region or a delicious Jura fondue. In need of relaxation? Treat yourself to a weekend spa at Salins-les-Bains or take the opportunity to visit the salt museum at la Grande Saline.
The Jura is a little green paradise in the summer that’s within easy reach of the UK and affordable. This is a magnificent region with clear, glacial lakes – Chalain, Clairvaux and Vouglans – that host seasonal bathing and water sports, from windsurfing to canoeing and kayaking, right through to water skiing. The caves at Moidons and the Hérisson Falls are simply unmissable.
In terms of heritage, the Jura is able to hold its own with other départements in the Franche-Comté region. Splendid towns and villages, full of character, await you there, such as Château-Chalon, named one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France". Come and admire the collegial Notre Dame and the covered market in Dole, Jura's "Little Venice". Do not miss out on a trip to the museum of fine art and Pasteur's birthplace.
Comté, Morbier or Bleu de Gex – Jura guarantees a feast for your taste buds. To find out more, go along to see the cheese museum Maison du Comté in Poligny or the Laughing Cow museum in Lons-le-Saunier for a great family fun day out. For those more interested in wine, visit the vineyards at Saint-Amour and Château-Chalon or attend "Percée du Vin Jaune", an annual wine festival that takes place on the first weekend in February.
The railway stations in the Jura are easy to access by TGV from Paris or Lille. It takes just two hours by train to get to Jura's stations from Paris with onward connection with the Eurostar. You may also want to hire a car and go off and explore the routes of the Jura at your own pace. The département is well served by 6 motorways and 4 smaller main roads.
