Vacation Rentals in Jura

Rushing rivers, green alpine pastures, dense fir forests, nature parks and wine-growing areas form a first-class environment for journeymen, families or gourmets in the region. Depending on your preference, you can reside in a vacation rental with water or on the edge of the forest or you prefer an apartment in the most beautiful villages of the country. An accommodation on the banks of the Ain or the Lac de Vouglans is particularly attractive. Culture and sights await you in cities like Lons-le-Saunier or Dole.

On the mountains and in the romantic valleys of the Jura mountains you spend relaxing days in a quiet idyll. The surrounding area invites you to explore the mountain massif on extended tours or to take rapid descents. You can rent a farmhouse or chalet in Lamoura in a dreamlike secluded location or enjoy your stay in a luxurious holiday apartment in Les Rousses.

In the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, the French department of Jura covers an area of 5,000 square kilometres west of the Swiss border. Jura borders Haute-Saône to the north, Doubs to the east, Ain to the south and Saône-et-Loire and Côte-d`Or to the west. The territory is named after the Jura Mountains.

Jura is divided into three arrondissements comprising 17 cantons. The majority of the 260,000 inhabitants live in Dole, Lons-le-Saunier and Saint-Claude. The villages of Baume-les-Messieurs and Château-Chalon shine with the cultural tourism award of the most beautiful villages in France.

Deep valleys, mighty peaks, wildly romantic river banks, ancient monasteries and mysterious grottos will be encountered on the scenic hikes across the region. Jura has a total of 5,000 kilometres of hiking trails through natural parks, towns and vineyards. The route through the peat bogs, the ascent to the 807-metre-high summit of Oliferne or the large Jura junction are highly recommended.

Families also get their money's worth in Jura. The varied leisure programme includes kayak tours on the rivers, beaches along natural lakes, bird of prey farms and zoos, fairytale playgrounds and ski schools. Special highlights are comfortable donkey hikes and amazing cave explorations.

The royal Grande Saline salt works in Arc-et-Senans date back to the period of absolutism that King Louis XV had built. The gigantic salt factory was in operation until 1895. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts 100,000 visitors every year who can take a tour of the salt works, the director's house, workers' apartments and administrative offices. Interesting background knowledge can be found in the salt museum of the complex.

In Baume-les-Messieurs there is the important Benedictine abbey of Saint-Pierre from 869, built by Abbé Bernon. The monastery was closed during the French Revolution and has been a listed building since 1862. Visitors can enter the three inner courtyards and visit the elaborately decorated parish church or apartments.

A breathtaking natural spectacle awaits you between Bonlieu and Doucier, where the seven waterfalls of the river Hérisson are located. Along a path of 3,100 metres, you will pass hidden caves, clear water basins and reach the Cascade de l'Eventail at your destination, which drops over 65 metres into the depths. The Museum Haus der Wasserfälle is also located here. The interesting exhibition informs you about the geology, fauna and history of the waterfalls.

About 20 kilometres east of the small town of Lons-le-Saunier, the Lac de Chalain extends between limestone cliffs at an altitude of 486 metres. The azure blue water of the lake, which covers an area of 2.3 square kilometres and is up to 32 metres deep, radiates from a distance. The natural water is an oasis for bathers and water sports enthusiasts. Guarded beaches and the Les Lagons water park await you on the eastern shore. A variety of restaurants, the Lake Dwelling Museum on the western shore, fishing tours and a climbing park provide variety.

At the source of the river Orbe you can immerse yourself in a fabulous world. The caves of Vallorbe, also called fairy caves, can be visited during a guided tour. Inside you will encounter bizarre rock formations that are 120 million years old. The treasure of the cave can be seen under four vaults and shows 250 different minerals with sparkling colours and abstract forms.

In total you will find more than 600 holiday apartments and vacation rentals from various providers in Jura. Holidaymakers can rent these from 35 € per night. Many of the vacation rentals on offer can be rented immediately online, which is faster and more convenient than an enquiry to the landlord.