THE JURA

A region of wide forested plateaux, the Jura ascends like a staircase to the Swiss border. Here, in the Haut Jura, an area of flower filled alpine meadows, pine and spruce forest, there is very much a mountainous feel, however without the high or steep climbs of the Alps (which you can see in the distance). This is a beautiful region to explore on a walking or cycling holiday, where you’ll discover spectacular waterfalls and underground caves, teeming with stalactites and stalagmites. As you descend westwards towards the flat and fertile Saône plain, you reach the gentler slopes of the wine region. Mediaeval towns and picturesque villages, some of the prettiest in France, are dotted amongst the vines, with the impressive backdrop of steep sided limestone cliffs. It’s 'connoisseurs’ France': people who come here are charmed by it and vow to return.

A colourful past

On the great invasion route of the Belfort gap, the Jura has had a colourful history since Gallo-Roman times. First subject to the Dukes of Burgundy, it broke away in the 14C to form its own 'Free County', modelled on Swiss-style democracy. Traditional skills such as wood carving, clockmaking, stone cutting and cheesemaking are thriving and of course let’s not forget the region’s wines, which have been produced since the 10th century.

Idyllic villages

You'll pass through postcard-pretty villages decked with flowers and adorned with handsome fountains, their church roofs gleaming with the brightly-coloured tilework of the region. The houses are built of honeycoloured stone, each one equipped with old-fashioned chains and pulleys for hoisting winter hay up to the grenier above. This is where they make the celebrated Comté cheese, considered superior to Gruyère. Only the freshest milk will do, so you'll see lots of little carts carrying milk churns twice daily from the milking parlours to the fruitières where they make the cheese. You'll also see farmhouses with tués, huge wooden chimneys for smoking mountain hams and sausages.