La Châtelaine walks

Shaped by limestone erosion, the Reculée des Planches has a relief characteristic of the Jura karstic plateau. At the foot of the vertically rising cliffs, you'll discover the cascades and cascatelles of the Cuisance. At a leisurely pace, through bright, cool forests, you'll climb up to the ledges where no fewer than five lookouts, not forgetting the ruins of a feudal castle, offer superb views over the whole of the reculée.

Fifth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This stage allows you to discover the remote valleys, particularly that of Planches-Près-Arbois, and to understand the geological phenomenon, with views from the Belvédère de la Roche du Feu. You will then descend to the bottom of the valley to reach the village of Planches-Près-Arbois and its tufa waterfall. Next, you will head towards the wine-growing village of Pupillin, the "World Capital of Ploussard", where you can explore its viewpoint, 19th-century church, Saint-Léger oratory and beautiful fountains.

Sixth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. This rugged stage starts in Pupillin and crosses forests and vineyards to Poligny, a former fortified town and religious capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. Poligny, looking to the future thanks to the Comté cheese industry, is home to the Maison du Comté and the headquarters of the Comité Interprofessionnel de Gestion du Comté. After a climb to the Croix du Dan, offering superb views of Poligny and the Culée de Vaux, the hike continues through the pastures and villages of the first plateau, where Montbéliard cows graze, before arriving in Miéry.

Fourth stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. Right from the start of this stage, things get serious with a demanding route punctuated by steep ascents and descents in the limestone massif of Revermont. Then, through undergrowth, pastures and picturesque viewpoints, the second part of the route reveals itself to be full of charm and tranquillity, offering a perfect transition before reaching Montigny-les-Arsures, a superb wine-growing village where the vineyards come into view. A few more kilometres will take you to Arbois, the capital of Jura wines. Louis Pasteur had his family home here, which is still open to visitors. This colourful town is full of Jura wine tasting cellars and great places to eat for food lovers.

From the remains of the Old Bridge of Port-Lesney, you will climb up beautiful forest paths winding through box trees to the viewpoint overlooking the village topped by Mont Poupet. From this cool, mossy forest, you will emerge into the sunny vineyards, greeting the Saline d'Arc-et-Senans from afar, before returning, devoutly, to the Hermitage of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette perched on the cliff above the valley.

Seventh stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. After passing through the charming wine-growing villages of the Jura, such as Frontenay with its 12th-century castle and Menétru-le-Vignoble, you will discover Château-Chalon, a jewel of the Échappée Jurassienne. Listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", this village is the birthplace of Vin Jaune and offers magnificent views. Leaving Château-Chalon, you will descend into the remote village of Blois-sur-Seille, where you will discover a picturesque village with yellow stones and a peaceful river. Explore this charming village, admire its vernacular heritage (bridges, farms, shepherds' huts, mission crosses, oratory, fountains, etc.) and enjoy the Olympian calm. Don't miss the central square with its fountain featuring a statue of Joan of Arc, its horseshoe-making machine and its unique milk cable car.

A lovely loop along beautiful paths, discovering the Pont du Diable, the Creux Billard, the Grotte Sarrazine, the Source and the Cascade du Lison. At the start of this beautiful walk, you'll cross the protected natural area of the marl pits and the Bois de Château-Renaud stream. Then head for Crouzet-Migette to reach the Source du Lison site, with a steep descent into the Combe Fagot. Before arriving at the site, you'll passthe Gros Chêne, presumed to be 300 years old, with a circumference of 5.5 m, an imposing sight. On arrival at the site: a return trip to the Creux Billard (unfortunately the Source path is off-limits), then a break at the Cascade du Lison, and a return trip to the Grotte Sarrazine (headlamp required). Then back along the Lison, a nice rest before a steep climb to Crouzet-Migette.

Third stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. From the Royal Saltworks in Arc-et-Senans to the Grande Saline in Salins-les-Bains, you will discover a unique sporting and cultural trail between the Doubs and Jura mountains, following in the footsteps of the great salt trade, with a stop in the village of Port-Lesney.

Discover the charm of Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne and its old houses, nestled in the natural setting of the remote valley, its Taillanderie. Then there is the Lison, mystical and wild at the foot of a vertiginous rocky cirque, after a tortuous underground journey, gushing forth in the blue-green plume of its never-ending waterfall, the wild cathedral of the Sarrazine cave, the Creux Billard and finally the belvedere of the Vieux Château.

This hike allows you to discover the geological and karstic curiosities which are the source du Lison (the Lison spring), the creux Billard (the Billard hollow) and the grotte Sarrazine (the Sarrazine cave). The great advantage of this route is that overlooks the creux Billard and offers natural uncovered lookout points from the upper plateau.

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.

Pleasure in cascades. This extraordinary walk around the Pertes de l’Ain gorges sets out from the remarkable site of the old forges and is a delight for all the senses. Along the way: The Pertes de l’Ain, gorges, cascades, the ruins of Villain castle, and the relics of an old village.

A splendid hike between the plateau and the steep-sided valley of the Ain. This circuit offers an opportunity to discover the upper Ain valley and its unique geology, with its Vaucluse spring, waterfalls (Le Moulinet, Saut des Maillys, Moulin-du-Saut) and ruined mills, evidence of how humans once harnessed the power of water. In fact, an EDF hydroelectric plant has replaced the old Moulin-du-Saut.

Hike around Château-Chalon

A pleasant walk to do in a day. The trail runs either along the lake, overlooking it or along the edge of the rocks, with numerous viewpoints.

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.

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

Second stage of the Échappée Jurassienne. The first 12 kilometres of this route are sheltered by the Chaux forest. Pay close attention to the signposts so you don't get lost! As you leave the edge of the woods, you will discover an architectural gem: the village of Arc-et-Senans, home to the Royal Saltworks, which will take you on a journey through the history of salt in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

Another circular walk around Lizine taking you to beautiful viewpoints and past the limestone pavement.

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.