Camping in Jura
Why we love holidays in Jura
Cascading waterfalls, beach-fringed lakes, enchanting forests and hillside vineyards... in this most magical of regions, an abundance of natural wonders await. Family holidays in Jura are all about losing yourself in the great outdoors.
Ringed by forest-cloaked hills, sprinkled with sparkling lakes, and rich in outdoor possibilities, the eastern France region of Jura might not be your first choice, but when you discover its spectacular natural beauty, its perfectly preserved medieval villages and its sublime cuisine we think you'll fall for its charms in a big way. And if you're the type that loves swimming, hiking, cycling and any number of adventures in nature, you've found your new favourite playground. Oh, and did we mention the excellent cheese and wine? Do we have your attention now?
The essence of Jura
Lakeside living
With so many crystal clear lakes, Jura's something of a wild swimming hot spot. But you can sail, paddle board, pedalo or simply paddle too. There's a lake for every occasion here. Even one for lying on the beach!
Hills for hiking
If the Alps are too daunting, try the hills of Jura which actually stretch south to meet the Rhône-Alpes region. The Jura range features hanging valleys, steep scrambles and lovely wooded hillsides.
Pretty towns
Straddling the border with Switzerland and close to Germany, the architecture of Jura enjoys a little inspiration from all points. Expect half-timbered fairytale villages, seemingly unchanged for centuries.
Our favourite things to do in Jura
Fun days out
There are lots of great things to do in Jura. Explore Lac de Chalain, a spectacular lake set in wooded foothills with its own sandy beach, perfect for swimming, picnicking, or hiring a pedalo. The Gouffre de Poudrey offers an underground cathedral large enough to contain Notre Dame in Paris, with fascinating 45-minute walks and stunning son et lumiere shows. Touro Parc combines a wildlife park and leisure park with small railways, a summer waterpark, and restaurants for a full day of family fun.
Visit La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit to discover the history of the iconic French brand through crafts, workshops, activities, and interactive computer games (clue - it’s the Laughing Cow cheese!). At Parc Animalier du Hérisson, children can get up close with wildlife from yaks to wallabies, enjoy an adventure trail, ride ponies, and even try cow milking.
Getting active
The vast network of trails in the Jura make up the Grandes Traversées du Jura, featuring rolling hills, pretty pastures, and ancient woodland ideal for cycling, hiking, or horseback riding. With over 100 marked VTT circuits catering for various abilities, cycling through enchanting woodland paths is easy with on-site bike hire.
Water enthusiasts can hire canoes on Lac de Chalain or try more high-octane pursuits like jet skiing and water-skiing at Lac de Vouglans. The Pic de l'Aigle offers a moderately steep hike with spectacular views over the area's lakes, the Jura mountains, and on clear days, the summit of Mont Blanc. Horseback riding provides another way to explore the scenic routes winding around the lakes and through dappled forests. Even little Eurocampers can have a go: there are very friendly ponies ready and waiting!
Cultural hotspots
Don’t miss a trip to the fascinating House of Louis Pasteur in picturesque Arbois which immerses you in the pioneering scientist's life, showcasing his personal laboratory preserved intact with a digital visitors' guide bringing his story to life. Château d'Arlay invites you to travel back in time through its elegant 18th-century interior and furnishings, experience traditional wine-making through tastings, and explore romantic gardens with trees and plants designed to resemble traditional games.
Baume Abbey, founded in the 16th century and located in the scenic village of Baume-les-Messieurs within a dramatic limestone gorge, offers gorgeous vistas from its courtyard and houses evocative Romanesque art and a Flemish altarpiece in its chapel. In Besançon, the Musée des Beaux Arts, established in 1694 as the oldest public museum in France.
Our favourite things to see in Jura
Historic sites
The quaint, beautiful village of Château Chalon features a 13th-century castle, an ancient fortified gateway, and an 11th-century Romanesque church, with charming winding streets and surrounding vineyards. The UNESCO-listed Citadelle de Besançon, dating from the 12th century, rises more than 100 metres above the old town, encircled by a loop of the River Doubs and offering views from its ramparts.
Dole, birthplace of Louis Pasteur, reveals its impressive architecture through narrow, labyrinthine cobbled streets, featuring the imposing Collégiale Notre-Dame with stunning stained glass and the remains of a Medieval Bridge along the Canal des Tanneurs. Besançon's Old Town contains treasures like the fine Renaissance facades of the Grand Rue and the stunning Astronomical Clock. Situated on the Swiss edge of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Jura mountains, Château de Chillon water fortress was a stronghold of the House of Savoy.
Cities and towns worth seeing
Arbois, in the heart of the Jura wine region, offers beautiful architecture, fascinating heritage, and intoxicating views, with its 60-metre bell tower of the 12th-century Saint-Just church providing magnificent vistas of surrounding vineyards in summer months. The town's museum in Pécauld castle showcases the region's wine-growing history and traditions.
Besançon, a medieval town with cultural attractions, hosts numerous musical celebrations including the Festival of classical music, Festival du Jazz, and the prestigious two-week Besançon International Music Festival from mid-September. Poligny, a market town with rich culinary traditions, invites visitors to wander down cellar steps to discover wine bars offering local delights. Baume-les-Messieurs, a scenic village located in a dramatic limestone gorge, is known for its beautiful Abbey complex and atmospheric cave system.
Natural wonders
This peaceful region will soon burrow its way into your heart with its stunning lakes, waterfalls, valleys, limestone cliffs, and more than 4,000 caves. The verdant Hérisson valley features thirty-one spectacular waterfalls accessible via footpaths threading through shaded forests, including the fan-shaped Éventail and Le Grand Saut.
Lac de Vouglans, a huge and beautiful man-made lake divided into three sections, offers extensive sandy beaches with picnic areas, supervised swimming in summer, plus opportunities for fishing, high-speed watersports, sailing, canoeing, canyoning, caving, and mountain biking. The Grottes de Baume-les-Messieurs present an expansive, atmospheric cave complex with incredible acoustics and cool temperatures, an ideal destination on those hot days. The Jura hiking trails showcase an impressive mix of vast vegetation and wildlife across varied terrain of hills, lakes, and towering cliffs.
Travelling to Jura
Nearest airports
- Basle
- Dijon
Nearest train stations
- Lons le Saunier
- Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux
Nearest ports
- Caen
- Calais
All parcs in Jura
JU013 Le Val de Bonnal
JU032 Le Fayolan
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