It borders Switzerland, is not very well known, has much of its cuisine, architecture and culture in common with its neighbor but it is the perfect holiday spot for those who like fresh air, gorgeous landscapes, its spectacular waterfalls, grottoes, streams and lakes, outdoor activities of almost every kind and all this with a dash of the French thrown in which makes it completely irresistible,
Franche-Comté lies between the Jura Mountain range in the south and the Vosges Mountain range in the North.
Jura is Gaulish for “forest”. The landscape is a happy blend of dense pine forests, rolling cultivated tracts of land and mountain like ramparts. Jura holds the distinction of being the first French cross-country skiing region. The Jura Mountains cannot be compared to the Alps but they do offer some superb hiking and lovely nature trails for the adventurous inclined.
Franche-Comté is not for those who like big cities. It’s small but it has lots of villages and towns and although ignored by foreign holiday-home industries, few realize that this is the perfect vacation retreat in both summer and winter. It lies well connected with Switzerland, Germany and the South of France. In fact it’s so close to Switzerland that one can work in Switzerland while living in France.
The area is renowned for its Saucisse de Morteau, accompanied by "rösti" potato wafers and a salad of "cramaillots" or dandelions. The Jura will amaze you with its Vin Jaune from Arbois with hazelnut, cider and almonds flavors. The cheeses are legendary and the most famous one is the Comté with the yellow fruit paste, as well as the Blue de Gex, Cancoillotte, and the Mont d'Or which can be consumed hot!
For the historically inclined, Gray is home to the national museum of Esperanto and one can see some of the finest architecture dating back to the Renaissance, and in Ronchamp you’ll find Le Corbusier’s chapel Notre Dame du Haut. The regional capital is
Besançon. It boasts of wonderful museums and history tells us that for many centuries its citadel was the leading French watch and clock making industry. It was also where Victor Hugo was born.
Belfort is a very strategically sound place and its views are absolutely magnificent. The medieval capital of the region is Dole which is drenched in history. On the banks of river Loue nestles the very pretty village of Ornans while near Baume les Dames, one will find the Grotte de la Glacière which has a glacier inside it, winter and summer. Haute-Saône is home to the spa town called Luxeuil-les-Bains. This is very close to the hub of kirsch production and is also the foremost treatment centre.
In Jura you have the world famous Vin Jaune which is bottled after it spends seven years in the barrels. Territoire-de-Belfort is the smallest of the French departments. It resisted annexure in 1870 by Prussia and today its 11 meter high sandstone symbol of a Lion stands testimony to the town’s strong will. From its fortifications one can see stunning views of the Rhone and the Rhine.
The valleys of Doubs and Loue attract visitors due to their amazing stilt-perched timbered houses which stand in the river and the high valley of Ain. Tiny villages and beautiful waterfalls, superb gorges define The Région des Lacs. Each village has its own domed belfry which is classically done in a mosaic of tiles or slates or beaten from metal. For swimmers, the lakes are perfect.
