The Jura region is named after the Jura mountains, a small mountain range just north of the Alps, which also gave its name to the Jurassic period. Together with the Doubs and Territoire de Belfort departments, the landscape is made up of forests and lakes, valleys and high peaks, rivers and waterfalls, gorges and caves, and lush green plains. The area also has a rich architectural heritage, with the historic towns of
Besaçon and
Belfort being particular highlights.
There’s plenty to keep you busy in this region, including many outdoor activities such as hiking, horse-riding and cycling; skiing in the mountains; fly fishing and kayaking in the rivers; and a variety of watersports on the lakes. Or you could just relax and let the sound of rushing water soothe your mind at one of the spas in the area.
In the historic city of
Belfort, explore the massive and impenetrable
Belfort Citadel, and admire the view from the terrace at the highest point. The other symbol of the city is the giant red sandstone
Lion of Belfort. This colossal statue is 22 metres long and 11 metres high and was made in 1880 to celebrate the city’s heroic resistance to the Prussians during the siege of Belfort.
More in
Jura Guide