The 12 most beautiful villages in Jura

Are you planning to stay in the Jura? The region of Franche-Comté has great surprises! Here is our selection of the 12 most beautiful villages not to be missed!

The Jura department extends to the southern part of the Franche-Comté. Its exceptional nature makes visitors happy in search of grandiose landscapes and outdoor activities. But that’s not all! The Jura enjoys a cultural and historical richness found in its typical villages. Many of them are ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, the City of Character of Burgundy-Franche-Comté or the City of Art and History. The gourmet traditions of the region should not leave you indifferent.e.s, like the delicious cheese County.

Discover our selection of the 12 most beautiful villages to visit in the Jura!

1. Dole

The one that is surnamed the "Vice of the Jura" is also the most populous in the department. Dole was the capital of Franche-Comté until the end of the 17th century, which is felt in its historical architecture. The Jura city is also classified as the City of Art and History. Walking along its canals is a very pleasant moment. A walk bearing the sweet name of the "perched cat" (in tribute to Marcel Aymé) allows you to discover the treasures of the village. Among them, the Notre-Dame Collégiale is worth a visit to its acoustics and stunning views of Dole and its surroundings.

2. Château-Chalon

Perched on the heights, the village of Château-Chalon combines wonderful Romanesque and Gothic art, especially in its Saint-Pierre church, built in the 12th century. In addition to this interesting architecture, this « Petite Cité Comtoise de Caractère » produces the best Yellow Wine in the region. We advise you to take time for taste the wines of the Jura . Château-Chalon is a recognized AOC vineyard, from the unique vine Savagnin. Treat yourself to a wine tasting accompanied by the best cheeses in the region, including the County and Morbier.

3. Baume-les-Mesieurs

A small village of some 175 inhabitants, Baume-les-Messieurs has a remarkable Romanesque architecture. Nestled in the heart of three backslides typical of the Jura relief, the city rests on an exceptional natural site. Spectacular caves are to be visited, just like the surrounding waterfalls . Inside the village, the Saint-Pierre Imperial Abbey was once a high place of Benedictine observance, before the monks left it to found the Abbey of Cluny. Its church is also to be seen for its retable flamand polychrome dating from the 16th century.

4. Clairvaux-les-Lacs

Small tourist resort surrounded by two peaceful lakes, Clairvaux-les-Lacs attracts for its generous nature and its many possible activities. The jumps and stunts, the lakes and the surrounding mountains, make the village an ideal starting point to the Haut-Jura. The town will appeal to the amateur.rice.s of water sports (surfing, pedal boat, stand-up paddle, swimming) or to the skiers who can stay there. In the season, night entertainment and craft shops make the happiness of the whole family. Among the things to do and to see in Clairvaux-les-lacs are the tower of a former castle of the 12th century, the church of Saint-Nithier, the Place de la Fontaine, or the Village du Bois.

5. Poligny

Located under the rock of the Cross of Dan, the village of Poligny is also part of the Character Cities of Burgundy Franche-Comté. Its charms are discovered by taking the Tour circuit, which leads to the church of Saint-Hippolyte dating from the 15th century, the remains of the castle of Grimont, the cellar of the Jacobins and the courtyard of the Ursulines. In the Jura city of Poligny, we delect products from the region, including the County and wine. The surrounding nature is wonderful, punctuated with peaceful vineyards and meadows where the Montbéliardes cows rest.

6. Arlay

If Arlay is first known as the capital of the Vin de Paille, its seven hamlets bordering the Seille River are a must-see stop. The commune holds the label of Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, like many other villages in this beautiful region. Take the time to explore the ruins of the feudal castle of Arlay, those of the medieval ramparts, its adjacent "Remarkable Garden". Continue with the castle of the eighteenth century, the church of Saint Vincent and its bell tower.

7. Orgelet

Near Saint-Claude and the chief town of Lons-le-Saunier, the small village of Orgelet is worth visiting the Jura. At the foot of Mont Orgier, the “Little City of character” (again one!) attracts for its fortifications and buildings testifying to a tense past. The Opulence of Orelet was at its peak in the 13th century, when the Counts of Chalon settled there. They built a hospital and a workshop to make the currency. Orgelet is also the birthplace of Cadet Roussel (the one of our children’s counties), a revolutionary, colorful character! Going through the town, don’t miss exploring the convent of the Bernardines, the ramparts, the tower and the place of the Grenette.

8. Salins-les-Bains

It is at first of all that we admire the form and beauty of the commune of Salins-les-bains, blottie in the hollow of the valley where the Furious winds. Once prosperous thanks to the exploitation of salt, the village attracts today for the visit of the ancient salts, the thermal cures and the green nature of the region. The Grande Saline, which was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, is one of the unmissable Jura. The city itself has a rich historical heritage and many fountains, demonstrating the importance of water for its prosperity.

9. Arbois

If it is the capital of Jura wines, this is not the only attraction of Arbois. Land of gastronomy, small city of character, the commune accumulates honorary titles! Visiting the Jura necessarily takes a gourmet step. Arbois is an attractive option. In 1936, she was the first Appellation of Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in France. In addition to its excellent Vigne and Wine Museum, you can taste chocolates to fall (those from France's best worker Hirsinger). To digest your meal at the star restaurant Jean-Paul Jeunet, go to discover the church of Saint-Just and visit the house of Louis Pasteur. In the vicinity, jump to the Mondon Cave or back to the Planches.

10. Nozeroy

Ancient influential medieval city, Nozeroy dominates the valley. In the Middle Ages, the princes of Orange built a palace there to strengthen their power. Today, it is possible to admire the remains of the historical monuments of this time of tense: ramparts, gates and ruins of the castle, collegial Saint-Antoine. If you have the chance to stay in Nozeroy in July, you will attend the medieval festival of the city, recreating ancient traditions. Of course, as everywhere in the Jura, the surrounding nature is wonderful, with its waterfalls and rivers.

11. Sellières

Located 33 kilometers from Dole, the Petite Ville de character de Sellières is nestled between the Jura massif and the Bresse. Surrounded by hillsides, it offers good vineyards, historic streets and a recognized urban art centre. Lordship prosperous and formerly fortified, his castle was shaved by Louis XIV. Relics remain in this village that has become more agricultural and artisanal over time. Traversed by the course of the Brenne, Sellières has small treasures (halles, private hotels, steep streets) and a curiosity: its church without bell tower, dedicated to Saint Pierre, built but not completed in 1865. A bell tower exists well, it is the place of Fidelity, but its church adjoining to disappeared!

12. Arinthod

Inhabited from the Celtic period, the small town of Arinthod allows to admire many medieval vestiges and buildings classified as Historical Monuments. This is the case of the church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption or the fountain of the church square, dating from the eighteenth century. The arcades of the main square, very pretty, date from the 12th century. Today there are several shops. In the vicinity, don't miss the rocky circus of Vogna and its mysterious stone Enon and the village of Saint-Hymetière. You still have time? Enjoy a flashlight and discover the Caborne du Boeuf, a cave at the impressive entrance, whose first room is free of access.