Franche Comté holiday guide

This is indeed the great outdoors. From the gently rolling hills of Haute Saône, to the dense forests and deep gorges of the Jura Mountains, there are opportunities for everything from hiking to hang-gliding and canoeing to climbing. A region for those who prefer to follow nature rather than the crowds.

Activities & attractions:

What can we eat?

Swiss fondue, charcuterie, bresi (air dried beef), wonderful freshwater fish and crayfish, a variety of cheeses including Comté and creamy Vacherin.

What can we drink?

The 'yellow wine' of Jura as well as the usual red, white and rosé.

Where can we visit?

Besançon. Switzerland. The royal saltworks at Arc et Senans, fortified towns and châteaux.

What can we do?

Canoeing, trekking and walking. Watersports on the many lakes.

And what about the kids?

Summer tobogganing and mountain biking.

Region overview:

This region has two very different faces - the high valley of the Saône with its miles of rolling countryside, and to the east, the rugged Jura mountain range renowned for cross-country skiing and eye-catching scenery. Stunning waterfalls and caves can be found in the Doubs valley and Baume les Messieurs, while the surrounding woods and lakes are ideal for hiking and fishing.

Charming local wine villages such as Arbois offer rustic simplicity, while the region’s capital, Besançon is a fortress town known mostly for its watch-making. The Musée du Temps here charting the history of these timepieces is well worth a look.

Visit Ronchamps for the extraordinary work of architect Le Corbusier - the chapel of Notre Dame du Haut is a fine example. And while in Franche Comté, make a point of sampling kirsch (a wonderful cherry tasting liqueur) and visiting Château-Châlon, where the Jura wines are produced.