A visit to the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park opens the door to superb scenery and a wide range of activities all year round! Here’s all the information you need to plan your stay.
The Haut-Jura regional nature park covers 178,000 hectares in the south-western part of the Jura massif, close to the Swiss border. It’s home to a veritable treasure trove of mountains, fir forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, mountain pastures and typical farmhouses… A paradise for nature lovers, photographers and sports enthusiasts alike. There’s something for everyone in the Haut-Jura, from hikers and skiers to water sports enthusiasts!
Its unspoilt landscapes and picturesque charm await you: here’s what you need to know about visiting the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park.
History of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park
Photo credit: Shutterstock / De MAHATHIR MOHD YASIN
The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park was created on February 10, 1986. Its mission is to preserve the landscapes and biodiversity of this wild territory, while promoting economic and environmental development. At the outset, the park comprised 37 communes. Over the years, however, it has grown to include 122 communes. The park covers more than 170,000 hectares in the Jura, Ain and Doubs départements. All the communes adhere to the new charter, signed in 2012, which focuses on three key vocations:
- « A territory built to be alive and animated together;
- « a territory responsible for its environment »;
- « A region that adds value to its economy ».
The park’s head office is based in Lajoux: this is the Maison du Parc, created in 2006. In addition to administrative management, it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and offers cultural and educational activities related to the region. A detour that’s not necessarily necessary, but can nevertheless teach you more about the region if you miss it!
What to see and do in the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park?
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The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park offers a wide variety of landscapes. Discover large lakes bordered by fir and spruce forests reminiscent of Canadian lands, and soft-green mountain pastures dotted with squat farmhouses. Marvel at the snow-covered mountain passes. The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park is open all year round.
Here are the main areas to visit, each with its own character and offering visitors different sporting and cultural activities.
The Haut-Jura plateaus
Photo credit: Shutterstock / De thomas bonnefoy1
The Haut-Jura is home to the highest mountains in the Jura Massif. The Crêt de la Neige, the highest point in the region at 1,718 metres, springs to mind. Here, immense fir forests alternate with lush green fields and typical farmhouses, all inhabited by a rich biodiversity. In fact, in addition to chamois and wolves, the highlands are home to a large population of lynx…
A meeting place for skiers and hikers, the Haut-Jura plateaux attract a large number of visitors every year. Another not-to-be-missed spot in the Jura is the popular Les Rousses ski resort. Warm and welcoming, it offers real thrills and spills.
Pays de Gex
Pays de Gex lies on the border with Switzerland, and shares a strong character with its neighbor. Home to the Monts Jura ski resort and the spa town of Divonne-les-Bains, it can be visited in both summer and winter. Numerous hiking trails criss-cross the region, offering breathtaking panoramas.
As well as landscapes and sporting activities, Pays de Gex is also worth a visit for its culture. Discover the Château de Voltaire or Fort l’Écluse, a centuries-old military fort nestling at the foot of a mountain.
The Valserine valley
Photo credit: Shutterstock / De Anatoli Laptev
The Valserine valley offers typical Jura landscapes: pastures, forests, cornices… It’s a picturesque and relaxing setting for hikers eager to soak up all that makes the area so special. From the Col de la Faucille, they can admire a splendid view of the Alps.
The Remoray valley
Photo credit: Shutterstock / De Guenaelle Chapuis
The Val de Remoray is home to traditional villages surrounded by particularly wild landscapes.
Located in the upper Doubs valley, the Lac de Remoray nature reserve is a unique place. It features a wide variety of different environments, centered around Lac de Remoray: forest, marsh, peat bog, meadow… Each of these environments is home to a rich and unique fauna and flora that will delight nature lovers. The Maison de la Réserve aims to help visitors discover this priceless natural wealth.
The Ain and Bienne valleys
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The Ain and Bienne rivers are an integral part of the Haut-Jura. Indeed, they have carved into the landscape valleys, gorges and balconies of great beauty. Here, the environment is carved by caves and waterfalls. These are ideal areas for canyoning or canoeing, offering particularly wild landscapes that are difficult to access.
Visit the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park with an expert
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Bertrand Godfroid
Would you like to discover this magnificent park in depth and become a true expert on the region? We recommend Chilowe, the agency that offers unforgettable getaways. With their « Initiation au bivouac sur les hauteurs du Jura » holiday, you’ll plunge right into the heart of the Natural Park. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll be treated to a program of survival techniques, unsuspected bivouac sites and starry skies. Disconnection guaranteed!
How do I get to the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park?
You can visit the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park via seven gateway towns: Divonne-les-Bains, Pontarlier, Ferney-Voltaire, Gex, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, Champagnole and the Communauté de communes d’Oyonnax.
By car
You can reach the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park by taking the A40 freeway to Oyonnax, then the A404.
Alternatively, take the A39 freeway to Lons-le-Saunier, in the Bas Jura region. From there, you can take the national and departmental roads into the park.
You can also take a BlaBlaCar to visit the Haut-Jura regional nature park: the towns of Oyonnax, Saint-Claude and the village of Les Rousses are well served.
Another solution to consider? Renting a car for total freedom of movement!
By train and bus
Most towns in the Haut-Jura Natural Regional Park have train stations, but these are not always well served. The best solution is to reach a major city by train via the TGV station (Bellegarde, Pontarlier, Besançon, Dole, Mouchard, Bourg-en-Bresse, etc.), then take the bus to the destination of your choice!
By plane
There are three ways to visit the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park by plane:
- Geneva airport: with excellent national and international connections, it’s less than an hour from the park. The best option;
- Dole-Jura: offers flights in summer, and is about an hour’s drive from the Haut-Jura ;
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport: also very well served, but more than two hours from the park.
You can find the most suitable flight by visiting our flight comparison partner.
Good to know
Planning a visit to the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park? Here are a few things you should know before you go:
–the Haut-Jura is known for its icy, snowy winters, ideal for winter sports. But beware: summer can be very hot! If you want to hike or swim in the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, don’t forget to equip yourself accordingly;
– in winter, you’ll need to fit your car with snow tires or snow chains;
– if you like to observe nature, take along your binoculars! You’ll be able to observe the fauna (especially birds) of the region, as well as its clear, starry skies;
– take theopportunity to sample the local gastronomy, including cheeses such as comté, morbier, mont-d’or, bleu de Gex, and many more!