Jura is a department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, in the east of France next to Switzerland.

It’s famous for being a great region for outdoors activities, with plenty of waterfalls, lakes, and epic mountains to hike.

Ready to discover Jura? Let’s see the very best things to do in Jura, France!

 

Where to Stay in Jura

Still in the planning phase of your Jura trip? Finding a good home base to explore the area is the first step to great travels, so let me help you out here.

Best Hotels – My Booking Selection in Jura: this list has the best hotels you’ll find in the area: great value, comfy and widely recommended all around.

 

the lac de la motte lac d'ilay from the sky

 

All the Best in Jura – Things to Do & See

In this guide, you’ll find a mix of the best things to do in Jura. It includes must-visit towns, medieval villages, beautiful waterfalls, gorgeous lakes and epic hikes.

It’s the perfect list to plan an epic road trip in Jura.

Without further ado, let’s see the best in Jura!

 

1. Cascades des Hérissons

Let’s start this list with what’s probably the most famous tourist attraction in Jura: the Cascades des Hérissons.

 

cascade de l'eventail in cascades du hérisson jura

 

The Cascades des Hérissons are 7 waterfalls along the Hérisson river, ranging from small to absolutely massive. The hike from the top of the falls to the bottom is a blast, and you’ll get to see all the waterfalls in half a day.

There are several options to see the falls, depending on what you want to see. From full hike to see the 7 waterfalls to a gentle stroll to see the 2 biggest ones.

 

Full Guide: Cascades des Hérissons (hike + tips)

 

2. Discover the 4 Lakes

Moving away from the waterfalls to see some other bodies of water: lakes. The 4 Lacs are right next to the Cascades du Hérisson, and are made of  4 lakes: Lac de Narlay, Lac d’Ilay, Grand Maclu and Petit Maclu.

 

randonnee des 4 lacs hike jura france

 

You can hike around all 4 lakes in half a day, or just go to one lake and chill in the water. The full hike takes 3h, with almost no incline. It’s suited for families, and you can even bike around the lakes.

If you’d rather drive, no worries. You can drive to any of the 4 lakes, and just enjoy the view from the banks.

 

Full Guide: 4 Lacs hike (+ free maps)

 

3. Belvédère des 4 Lacs

The Belvédère des 4 Lacs is a nice viewpoint over the 4 lakes, that offers an absolutely epic view.

 

2 lakes seen from belvedere des 4 lacs jura

 

You can drive all the way up to the viewpoint, and you’ll only need to walk for 2 minutes to reach the viewpoint. From up there, you’ll see the 4 lakes, and it’s probably the most famous view in Jura.

I recommend going during the afternoon when the light is still strong, to see the beautiful colors of the lakes: green, emerald, turquoise, blue, … I got there at sunset, and while it was nice, it was not the same.

 

sunset from the belvédère des 4 lacs jura

Full Guide: Belvédère des 4 Lacs

 

4. Pic de l’Aigle

Fancy another view above the lakes? The Pic de l’Aigle will offer you just that! It’s located on the cliff above the lakes, not far from the Belvédère des 4 Lacs.

 

nesrine enjoying the view in pic de l'aigle

 

The hike to reach the summit is a short one (around 15mn), but it’s very steep. You’ll climb wooden stairs and stone steps, and finally be rewarded by an impressive view over the lakes.

A popular hike is starting from the Pic de l’Aigle parking lot, climbing to Pic de l’Aigle, and hiking on the ridge to the Belvédère des 4 lacs. It takes around 2h30 for the full return hike.

 

lac d'ilay from pic de l'aigle

Full Guide: Hike to the Pic de l’Aigle

 

5. Baume-les-Messieurs

More than just lakes and waterfalls, the Jura is also known for its charming medieval villages. Baume-les-Messieurs is a fine example of that, and definitely a must-visit in Jura.

 

street under cliff in baume les messieurs

 

Of course if you’re up for hikes, you’ll find plenty in the area. A popular one will take you high on the cliffs around the village, where you’ll get a view over the village and the valley.

 

la reculee baume les messieurs jura

Full Guide: Best Things to Do in Baume-les-Messieurs

 

6. Cascade des Tufs in Baume-les-Messieurs

Baume-les-Messieurs is not just a pretty village, it also has a secret hidden deep in the valley: the Cascade des Tufs.

 

cascade baume les messieurs jura france

 

This unique waterfall is located minutes away from the village, down the road. You can drive all the way up to it, and you can literally see it from the parking lot.

 

Full Guide: Cascade de Baume-les-Messieurs

 

7. Cascade des Tufs

While this waterfall has the exact same name as the one above, I can assure you it’s a different one. The Cascade des Tufs in Les Planches-près-Arbois has the same unique geological formation as the other one, and it does look similar.

 

la cascade des tufs jura france

 

The main difference is that this one is straight on the river, and there are plenty of things to discover along the river, such as natural pools and smaller waterfalls.

 

Full Guide: How to Get to the Cascade des Tufs

 

8. Lons-le-Saunier

Lons-le-Saunier is the capital of the Jura department, and it only seemed fitting to include it in this guide.

Visiting the city is a nice break from all the outdoors adventure in Jura. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy local food & wine in one of the many cafés & restaurants in the city.

 

Apart from the nice city center, Lons-le-Saunier also has a casino, and a museum dedicated to the famous Vache qui Rit cheese (The Laughing Cow).

If you’re a history buff, you’ll love the many museums in town, including the Musée Rouget de Lisle, dedicated to the author of the French National Anthem.

 

9. Château-Chalon 

Château-Chalon is way smaller than Lons-le-Saunier; in fact, it’s one of these epic medieval villages just like Baume-les-Messieurs.

 

chateau chalon jura france

 

The village is perched on high cliffs, above the valley. You’ll find many things to discover in the village, including a church, ruins of an old castle and medieval houses.

 

vin blanc vignoble in chateau chalon

 

The position of the village also offers great views of the surroundings, and you’ll be able to see the vineyards and nearby villages from the several viewpoints scattered around Château-Chalon. 

 

Full Guide: Complete Guide to Visiting Château-Chalon

 

10. Cascade de la Billaude

There are so many waterfalls in Jura that you were bound to find another one in this list. The Cascade de la Billaude is a double waterfall, located at the bottom of a valley.

 

aerial view of the cascade de la billaude

 

You can drive right next to a viewpoint, that offers a view over the waterfall. But to get the very best view, you’ll need to hike down to the bottom of the falls. A well-maintained trail with wooden steps and metal viewing platforms will get you down, where you’ll even be able to dip in the natural pool to refresh from the hike.

 

kevmrc in front of the cascade de la billaude

Full Guide: How to See the Cascade de la Billaude

 

11. Dole

While Lons-le-Saunier is the capital of Jura, Dole is the most populated city in the department. It’s also a much more charming city to discover.

 

The city is built on the side of the Doubs river, and just walking in the center along the river is a nice experience in itself. There are plenty of things to see in Dole, including visiting the Collégiale Notre-Dame (which offers a great view over the city).

 

 

12. Lac de Chalain

The Lac de Chalain is the biggest lake in Jura, and definitely one of the best must-see Jura has to offer. No matter the season, you’ll love your visit to the lake.

 

In summer, it’s a great place to chill on the sand with families & friends, on one of the many beaches around the lakes. You can of course go for a swim, and you’ll find plenty of nautical activities available.

In other seasons, while it will most likely be too cold to swim, the Lac de Chalain is a beauty to behold. Make your way to one of the viewpoints: Belvédère de Fontenu and Belvédère Chalain.

 

 

13. Gorges de la Langouette

The Gorges de la Langouette are a natural gorge, created by the Saine river over the years.

 

the main waterfall cascade de la langouette jura france

 

The Saine river still flows down the canyon, and you’ll find several waterfalls along the gorge. There’s a trail on top of the cliffs, with several viewpoints where you’ll see the waterfalls. Hiking the full trail around the gorge only takes 20mn, and it’s an easy but definitely worth it stroll.

 

above the langouette waterfall

Full Guide: Hike the Gorges de la Langouette

 

14. Taste local wine in Arbois

Jura is famous worldwide for its white wine, the vin blanc. One of the 4 local wines is the AOC Arbois, coming from the surroundings of the Arbois city.

 

Arbois is the perfect city to discover the local gastronomy, and to taste the wine. Check out more about the city in this guide from the official Jura website: Arbois tourism guide (scroll to the bottom of the site and click on the UK flag to switch to the English version).

 

15. Via Ferrata over the Lac de Vouglans

The Lac de Vouglans is an artificial lake, created by the Vouglans dam. It’s the 3rd largest artificial lake in France, and as such there’s plenty to do around the lake.

You can relax on one of the many beaches, swim, rent a boat, a kayak, hike and bike around it. And for the adrenaline junkies, you can go on the Via Ferrata above the lake!

 

The Via Ferrata du Regardoir will take you high above the lake, climbing on cliffs and crossing an impressive suspended bridge. You can go on your own with your own gear, rent equipment, or go on a guided tour. The guided tour lasts 2h, and costs 35€ per person with gear included.

You can book it here: Via Ferrata du Regardoir

 

16. Ski in Les Rousses

Les Rousses is a village in the Jura mountains, and one of the best ski resorts around. You can enjoy the area in any season, including the lake (Lac des Rousses); but the best season there is definitely winter.

 

The station has over 50km of descent slopes (31 miles): 5 black slopes, 14 red, 19 blue and 17 greens. It’s also a great destination for snowshoeing and nordic skiing.

 

17. Cascade de Vulvoz

Ok, I swear this is the last waterfall of the list. But the Cascade de Vulvoz is so awesome that I just had to include it in this best of Jura guide.

 

It’s one of the lesser known waterfalls of Jura, and it’s a great choice to try and escape the crowds in summer.

To get more info about how to reach the waterfall, and to see more epic waterfalls in Jura, you can check out this guide: The 12 Best Waterfalls in Jura.

 

18. Lac de Bonlieu

The Lac de Bonlieu is another one of the many lakes in Jura; but it’s deemed as one of the most beautiful ones, by tourists and locals alike.

 

Not much hiking is needed to reach the lake, as you can drive right next to it. The lake has very clear water, and it’s a great place to go for a swim.

There are 2 viewpoints over the lake, the Belvédère de la Ronde to which you can drive, and the Belvédère de Maguenay which requires some hiking to get to it.

 

19. Ridge hike on Sommet du Mont d’Or

And finally, the last item on this list of what to do in Jura.

The Mont d’Or is probably the most famous mountain in Jura, and it gave its name to a local cheese, the Mont d’Or. Oh and by the way, you have to try some Mont d’Or cheese when you go to a local restaurant!

 

Don’t worry, you won’t have to climb the mountain. You can just drive up to it, and leave your car at the parking lot. From there, you can go on an epic ridge hike up on the cliffs, and get incredible views over the Jura mountains.

If you want more details about this hike, or if you want to see more great hikes in Jura, check out this guide: The 17 Best Jura Hiking Trails.

 

Best Time to Visit Jura

With the wide selection of activities & things to do Jura has to offer, you’ll have a blast there regardless of the season. But depending on what you’re after, one season might be better for you.

Spring (March to June): the best time for waterfalls. Spring is when the snow begins to melt, and it’s when the waterfalls will have the most water.

 

Summer (June to September): the best time for outdoor activities. The warm weather is perfect for being outdoors, swimming in waterfalls and lakes, 

 

Fall (September to December): probably the best time for photographer. Fall in Jura is incredibly beautiful, and it seems like the whole department turns yellow, orange & red. The colors of fall make for incredible photos.

 

Winter (December to March): and finally winter is the best season to see Jura in a different way, under the snow. It’s great for skiing in the ski resorts, and enjoying snow activities.

 

Visit Jura

Planning your trip to Jura? You’ll find below a few other travel guides & key spots to see in the area.

Cool waterfalls in Jura:

The best hikes around:

 The BIG guides:

 

I hope you enjoy your trip to Jura and to France; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.

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