The Jura – A Taste Of Traditional France
- Duration: 7 days
- Board Basis: Mixed Board
- Tour Ref: D2TLEGFJTVJ
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Coach
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Besançon with Guided Walk
Continue south and into the Jura, to Besançon, capital of Franche-Comté. Explore the delightful Old Town, which is built around a loop on the River Doubs. The city is dominated by the imposing citadel, which overlooks the rooftops below. See the Renaissance Palais Granvelle, Victor Hugo's birthplace and the famous Astronomical Clock.
We include a guided walk before we continue to our hotel in Malbuisson for four nights. Enjoy a welcome drink before our four-course meal in the gastronomic Restaurant le Lac.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Arbois with Wine Tasting & Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans with Guided Visit
After breakfast, head through the rolling foothills of the Jura Mountains to the picturesque town of Arbois, where Louis Pasteur spent much of his childhood and adult life. Regarded as the Jura's wine capital, it is known for its rosé and distinctive Vin Jaune. Stroll around the pretty winding streets before enjoying a local wine tasting. Lunch is included at a restaurant in Arbois or Salins-les-Bains.
This afternoon takes us on a guided visit of the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness fascinating examples of 18th-century industrial architecture. Tonight, we enjoy our evening meal at the hotel.
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Fort Saint-Antoine with Guided Visit & Comté Tasting, Lac de Saint-Point Boat Trip & Pontarlier Absinthe Tasting
A short drive this morning takes us to Fort Saint-Antoine, an old military fortress now used to store thousands of the famous local Comté cheeses. Enjoy a guided visit and tasting of this renowned produce in the fort's cellars. We head back to the hotel for lunch.
After lunch, we include a one-hour boat trip on Lac de Saint-Point. We then head by coach to the town of Pontarlier, whose history is inextricably linked to absinthe. In the 19th century, it was the world capital of the infamous drink also known as the 'green fairy'. For those brave enough, a tasting of absinthe and other local spirits has been arranged!
Tonight, we enjoy more cheese, following in the footsteps of Rick Stein during his Secret France series on BBC Two, as we settle down for a meal in the typical Restaurant du Fromage. A fondue jurassienne, made with local wine and Comté cheese, is always a fun experience.
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Château de Joux, Saut du Doubs Boat Trip & Waterfall Walk & Belvédère de la Roche du Prêtre
This morning, we include a visit to the striking Château de Joux, perched on its rocky promontory dominating the access routes between France and Switzerland. Originally a fort, the building has a long history, including time spent as a prison, and is now a museum. We later head back to the hotel for lunch.
After lunch, we travel via the gorges of the River Doubs to Villers-le-Lac on the Franco-Swiss border. From here, we have arranged a 7km boat trip on the river up to the Saut du Doubs waterfall, a designated a Grand Site de France. We disembark for a walk and appreciate the 27m falls. Finish the day at the Belvédère de la Roche du Prêtre, with its magnificent panoramic views of the rolling countryside and the Cirque de Consolation, whose rock formations are home to caves, springs and waterfalls.
Tonight, we enjoy a farewell evening meal at the gastronomic Restaurant du Lac.
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Scenic Drive to Ornans
We leave Malbuisson and our scenic drive takes us first to the Point de Vue du Moine, which offers lovely views over the whole valley. See the River Loue with its stunning waterfall before we head to tranquil Ornans, nicknamed 'the little Venice of Franche-Comté'. The Vallée de la Loue has inspired many artists and is one of the most striking valleys in the Jura.
Leaving Ornans, we travel via Cléron towards the Paris area, where we stay overnight.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 7
Return home.
Meals - Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Hôtel Le Lac in Malbuisson.
Overnight stays in northern France and Paris will be in city-style hotels.
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