Planning a visit to the Jura lakes region? Breathtaking scenery and a host of activities await you! Here are a few tips for your visit.
Situated in the heart of the Jura department, the lake district is an area with blurred boundaries. It is characterized, as its name suggests, by a high density of bodies of water. Lakes, of course, but also streams, torrents, picturesque valleys, impressive waterfalls… In short, an ideal place for nature lovers.
Charles Nodier, a leading figure of the Romantic movement, nicknamed this region Little Scotland. Indeed, its vast glacial lakes, up to 230 hectares in size, give it a unique atmosphere. A vision reminiscent of the majesty of Nordic landscapes.
Would you like to visit the Jura lakes region? Here are a few tips and itinerary ideas to help you make the most of it!
History of the Jura lakes region
Photo credit: Shutterstock / midgardson
It all began tens of thousands of years ago on the Champagnole plateau. We are in the midst of the planet’s last ice age. Colossal masses of ice gradually hollowed out basins by the sheer force of their weight. Their surface, compacted by the ice, is rendered impermeable. Rain and rivers fill them with water, gradually forming lakes!
Human occupation of the area is relatively recent in historical terms. It dates back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Indeed, archaeologists have found traces of lakeside cities in the region. They have also unearthed rare material remains proving the Gallic presence in the Jura during Antiquity. Old legends bear witness to this, such as that of La Vouivre. It is said that she bathed in the area. She would then leave her most precious possession, the Escarmouche stone, on the banks of the river, at the mercy of thieves. But beware of those who were caught! They would inevitably die.
From the Middle Ages onwards, certain reservoirs were used to generate water power. Villages and farms sprang up, as did industries specializing in woodturning. These were used to make kitchen utensils such as spoons, pots and so on. It was only after the French Revolution that the fruitières (dairy farms) began to develop, giving rise to the famous Jura cheeses such as Comté and Morbier.
Later, the rural exodus did not spare the region. But today, many tourists come to visit the Jura. They bring a new lease of life to the lake district. Hiking, sporting activities, breathtaking panoramas…
Let’s see what you can do about it!
What to see and do in the Jura lakes region?
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of the cities and immerse yourself in the stunning purity of the Jura countryside and its sumptuous reservoirs? Here are a few ideas for itineraries and activities to make the most of it!
Explore the Lake District by car
Photo credit: Flickr / Mathias GUILLAUME
To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the region’s beauty, take the Lakes Route. From belvedere to belvedere, it takes the form of a signposted road trail over 150 kilometers long, allowing you to discover the region’s twenty lakes by car, but not only:
- The Pont de la Pyle, offering superb views over Lac de Vouglans. Soak your feet at Surchauffant beach;
- The Saisse jump and the giant potholes at Pont de Poitte;
- The Hérisson waterfalls can be discovered via a short path… Some of them are really impressive;
- Le Belvédère des 4 lacs ;
- The Pic de l’Aigle, where you can admire Mont Blanc on a clear day;
- The Frasnée retreat and its rural charm;
- The Arches bridge, a Gallo-Roman vestige ;
- The many viewpoints around the Vouglans dam;
- The medieval town of Orgelet;
- Château de Présilly.
Hiking in the Jura lakes region
Photo credit: Flickr / mariejirousek
A visit to the Jura means a visit to a wild territory ideal for hiking. The lakes region is no exception. Here we present three unique hikes:
- The Tour des 4 lacs, the most emblematic, allowing you to discover all the richness of the region in a single hike;
- The Hérisson waterfalls trail follows the most beautiful waterfalls in the Jura ;
- The Bellecin hike, offering breathtaking views of the region’s largest lake, Lac de Vouglans.
Tour des 4 lacs
Starting point: parking lot at the end of Lac du Petit Maclu
Distance: 11 kilometers
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
Difficulty: easy
- Go to the end of the lake and take the large path that rises to the right;
- Follow the lake until you reach the main road;
- Cross the road and take the small path opposite which leads to the Fromagerie ;
- Turn right here. You can continue for two kilometers through forests and meadows before coming to an intersection;
- Turn right towards the village of Frasnois ;
- Cross the municipal campsite and turn left before reaching the beach;
- Take a tour of Lake Narlay;
- At the small parking lot at the end of the road, take the tarmac path until you cross the main road again;
- Return to your starting point.
The Hedgehog Falls
Starting point: Ilay parking lot
Distance: 12 kilometers
Duration: 4 h 15
Difficulty: medium
- Take the first path down to Saut Girard ;
- Cross the Hérisson and follow the path on the left bank;
- At the Sarrazine footbridge, follow the yellow signs to Bonlieu ;
- Here, make a short round trip to the magnificent Éventail waterfall;
- On the way, take a short detour to admire the view of the White Lady;
- Drive through the village of Bonlieu (rue de la Maison Blanche and Grande Rue);
- On leaving the village, follow the GR signs back to your starting point.
La Randonnée de Bellecin
Starting point: Bellecin water sports centre
Distance: 13 kilometers
Duration: approx. 5 hours
Difficulty: easy
- Crossing the lake;
- Take the narrow road up to the main road. You pass two lookouts overlooking the lake;
- At the intersection, turn left ;
- After 1 kilometer, join the departmental road;
- Cross the Pyle bridge;
- You can then swim and eat on the Surchauffant beach;
- Take the left-hand path along the right bank of the lake to the Château Richard lookout;
- Take the wide path on the left to the site dotted with large stone slabs;
- Take the left-hand path back to your starting point.
Enjoy the water
Photo credit: Shutterstock / De midgardson
In summer, a visit to the lakes region gives you the opportunity to swim on wild or developed beaches (Doucier, Surchauffant, Bellecin, Mercantine, etc.).
You can enjoy a number of water sports on Lac de Chalain, such as pedal boats, rowing boats and windsurfing, but the star of the show is Lac de Vouglans, where you can windsurf, canoe, kayak, paddle, catamaran… In short, there’s something for everyone! However, if you want to get away from the crowds – especially in summer – you’re free to rent equipment and enjoy yourself on the smaller lakes.
Enjoy the culture
Photo credit: Wikipedia / Parrad.adrien
Visiting the Jura also means taking advantage of its often overlooked cultural riches. Take a stroll through the medieval village of Orgelet, a delightful place to visit.
Want to learn how Jura cheese is made? Visit the 1900 dairy and discover the secrets of traditional Comté cheese-making.
Don’t forget to visit the Musée du Jouet in Moirans-en-Montagne, especially with the whole family. Alternatively, the Musée des Machines à courir et nourrir le monde, in Claivaux, boasts an impressive collection of wooden models of agricultural machinery and means of locomotion.
Château de Presilly offers visitors magnificent 13th-century remains, nestled in a green setting.
Finally, in Villards d’Héria, discover the Pont des Arches, Gallo-Roman ruins with a unique charm.
For thrill-seekers…
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Media Raw Stock
Le Regardoir de Vouglans is home to one of France’s finest via ferrata. You can rent climbing equipment or choose a guided route to scale the steep walls and reach the vertiginous balconies overlooking the lake.
How do I get to the Jura lakes region?
By car
By car, head for Lons-le-Saunier on the A39, then take the D678 to Clairvaux-les-Lacs.
You’ll find plenty of BlaBlaCar connections to Lons-le-Saunier. However, during the tourist season, some routes may take you directly to your destination.
A word of advice: hitchhiking works pretty well in the Jura, so don’t hesitate to give it a try!
By bus and train
You can easily reach Lons-le-Saunier by bus (Flixbus, Ouibus, etc.) or train. From here, numerous bus routes take you to the various towns in the Jura region. JuraGO line n°601 takes you to Clairvaux-les-Lac
By plane
The Dole-Jura airport, 1 hour away, allows you to visit the Jura lakes region. Our partner Ulysses has a website where you can find the best deals available, whatever your departure date.