ABOUT JURA, FRANCHE-COMTE, FRANCE

From the 13th century and until the 20th century, inhabitants of the south part of Jura spoke a dialect of Arpitan language.

Jura is one of four departments of the Franche-Comté region and is surrounded by the French departments of Doubs, Haute-Saône, Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire, and Ain.

The Jura mountains are wooded and rolling, with a number of lakes including the large natural lake of Lac de Chalain (3 km x 1 km) as well as the artificial Lac de Vouglans with its hydro electric dam (largest lake in France).

Jura's climate varies from the temperate lower valleys and the high mountain valleys which have very cold winters.

Jura is a wine-growing region including some very unusual wines, such as vin jaune, which is made by a similar process to sherry. This is made from the local Savagnin grape variety. Other grape varieties include Poulsard, Trousseau, and Chardonnay.

Famous Jura's persons include
Louis Pasteur, microbiologist and chemist.
Louis Vuitton, founder of the fashion dynasty Vuitton.
Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, author of the national anthem La Marseillaise

PLACES TO SEE IN JURA

Sentier karstique des Malrochers
39800 Besain

Visit the mysterious and enchanting world of chasms, caves, sinkholes and endless labyrinths.On your adventure discover various blackened circular marks showing for times past charcoal burners who worked in the forest who created fuel before coal and other forms of energy during pre-industrial times.

Site à pistes de dinosaures de Coisia
F-39240 COISIA

Follow dinosaur tracks left behind by Sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs like Diplodocus) (discovered in 2004 when the main road was widened.

Nozeroy, Cité des Chalon
F-39250 NOZEROY

This mini country Duchy was founded by Jean l’Antique in the 13 th century, and Nozeroy was the birthplace of one of the most powerful Jura families of the Middle Ages, the Chalons. Princes of Orange, they patronized the arts and religious groups.

Église de Gigny
F-39260 GIGNY-SUR- SURAN

An important monument of Romanesque art.  It was established in 890 and was the origin of the church at Cluny, part of the growth of Christian activity in the 10th century.

Maison natale de Pasteur
43, rue Pasteur
F-39100 Dole

Learn the life and work of Pasteur, in his old house in Dole. The pastels made in his youth, his discoveries, his laboratory instruments, the founding and running of the Pasteur Institutes.

Impressive house built in 1930s
This is a truly impressive house, built about 1930 and set in just 20 000m2 of land and garden planted with a wide range of trees. Situated on the edge of a small town, and just a few minutes from the boulangerie, the property is amidst the beautiful Jura countryside.
350,000 Euros

Little house with garden
Little house is in a hamlet close at the center of Jura. Whilst the house could be used immediately there is still some finishing off to do.
80,000 Euros

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