Baume-les-Messieurs walks

All the ingredients for a wonderful hike, and what makes the Jura so special, are here: recesses, viewpoints, caves, waterfalls and unspoilt nature.

Discover one of the most beautiful natural sites and one of the prettiest villages in the Franche-Comté.

Discover the Baume-les-Messieurs valley, a family hike offering beautiful views from the viewpoints along the route, culminating in a visit to the Baume caves. Also worth seeing is the Tuffes waterfall.

This circular offers no difficulties other than its length and features varied landscapes. The hike is divided into three parts: a gentle climb to the gently sloping plateau; a nearly flat walk around the cliffs; and a descent back down.

This route will give you an overview of these great glacial valleys of the Jura.

Discover the dry stone architecture: piles of stone gathered from fields and the huts built within them. Primarily functional, they met the needs of farmers in the19th century. This trail will give you an understanding of how dry stone was used: stones extracted from agricultural land and arranged without any binding material. This rural heritage is linked to large-scale land clearing and the development of tools in the industrial era, with each hut featuring unique architecture. Be attentive, they encourage discovery, take your time, observe them carefully and distinguish their particularities. During your walk, please remember that the land is private. Not all of the huts, even those visible from the path, are accessible. Please respect the owners' wishes.

Ninth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This transitional stage marks the end of a region full of unexpected treasures, including salt mines, majestic forests, vineyards, charming villages and iconic remote areas, and takes you to the Pays des Lacs et des Cascades (Land of Lakes and Waterfalls). A winding balcony trail will take you to the first plateau with its pastures, farms and small villages. Overlooking the Ain valley, you will end this route in Châtillon, where you will catch a glimpse of the first foothills of the Jura.

Eighth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This iconic stage gets off to a great start. From the bottom of the Blois-sur-Seille valley, you will climb back up to the plateau to reach the small village of Granges-sur-Baume, which overlooks the most beautiful valley in the Jura. From the Belvédère de Granges-sur-Baume, you will have a bird's eye view of the Baume-les-Messieurs valley and, after a steep descent, you will arrive in one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".Dominated by vertiginous cliffs, Baume-les-Messieurs, home to a 9th-century Cluniac abbey, nestles in the middle of three secluded valleys typical of the Jura landscape.As you follow the Dard river upstream, you will discover one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Jura, the tufa waterfall of Baume-les-Messieurs, and, a little further on, the spectacular Baume caves.After another climb up to the plateau via the Crançot ladders and a walk through the Perrigny forest, you will end this stage not far from Lons-le-Saunier.

This lovely, easy walk will take you to the Conliège hermitage and then, via forest paths, to various viewpoints overlooking Lons-le-Saunier and the Revigny valley. The return journey follows the greenway and passes through various viaducts and tunnels (including the famous 100-Step Tunnel, which you can choose to visit and walk through on the way there and back).

Perched on the cliffs of Revermont, Château-Chalon, dear to the heart of writer Bernard Clavel, watches over the Jura vineyards. This village offers magnificent views of the vineyards and nearby valleys, and you will enjoy strolling among the old houses. Return via a Roman road and the Tuquière viewpoint with its cabordes (stone shelters).

Hike around Château-Chalon

This is a little-known hike offering magnificent views, all less than 10 km from Lons-le-Saunier

Tenth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. For this stage starting from Châtillon, you will head towards the largest natural lake in the Jura: the magnificent Lac de Chalain. A true blue jewel surrounded by limestone rocks, the lake can be seen in all its splendour from the plateau, offering breathtaking panoramic views. You will then walk through stunning natural landscapes before reaching Menétrux-en-Joux, located near the famous Hérisson waterfalls. An adventure where every step will reveal enchanting and varied scenery!

A superb route exploring the little-known Savignard valley and taking in the ruins of Montorient Castle, offering magnificent views over the vineyards, the Bresse region, and as far as the foothills of Burgundy.

A pleasant hike in the hills above Lons-le-Saunier. You will pass a completely isolated wash house, climb up to the Belvédère de Montaigu, descend into the middle of the Val de Sorne golf course, and walk along paths accompanied by birdsong and the sound of flowing water. This is a well-marked and well-maintained circuit with two significant climbs.

Discover Frontenay and Passenans via the hazelnut grove at Château de la Sauge. Along the way, you can explore Château de Frontenay and its chapel.