It might be hard to imagine but, besides serving as a dizzying military stronghold, Fort des Rousses has also been a children's holiday camp! But that short period only lasted from 1930 to 1938, and up until 1934 when the roofs were tiled, the site had earth roofing. What a holiday!
Heritage and Gastronomy
Discover Fort des Rousses
From military engineering to outdoor activities and Comté cheese maturing, Fort des Rousses has been successfully reinvented over the centuries. Good news, there's even more to discover beyond the fort, including Les Rousses ski resort, walking and swimming at Les Rousses Lake, and the Polar Museum. You'll never get bored!
Through the centuries
The history of Fort des Rousses
In 1800 at the request of Napoleon the First, the exceptional Fort des Rousses was originally built as a stronghold to shelter 3,500 soldiers and 2,000 horses. It took no less than 70 years to build! Then in 1914, it was converted into an army training camp. It wasn't until 1998 that the deserted fortress became a maturing cellar offering outstanding conditions for the ripening of Comté cheese.
The fort is now a giant playground where all sorts of activities are on offer, such as self-balancing scooters, climbing, bungee jumping, via ferrata, and even a commando game. These new, thrilling activities take children and adults on a whole adventure during which they have a mission to fulfil!
Caves d'affinage du Fort des Rousses M.COQUARD et E.DETREZ Bestjobers
Did you know?
Hooray for the holidays!
Gastronomy
Comté maturing cellar
Fort des Rousses has 50 000m² of vaulted cellars and miles of tunnels just beneath your feet. Imagine, all that space set aside for the maturing of a product that has built the reputation of an entire region, Comté cheese.
The restored fort is home to some 140,000 wheels of cheese, which benefit from ideal temperatures and just the right levels of humidity.
Percez les secrets du comté
Near the fort
What about winter?
Downhill skiing and snowboarding
Besides the fort where you can enjoy a host of outdoor activities in summer, Les Rousses has much more to offer.
Winter is another favourite season for families. You can make the most of the Alpine slopes for stress-free skiing whatever your level, and even powder slopes that anyone can enjoy.
Découvrir la station Les Rousses
Tours
The polar centre
Close to Les Rousses, the polar centre is home to the rather unusual polar museum, which explains the rising issues of climate change and retraces the history of discoveries made around the earth's poles: fauna and flora, on land and at sea... A real immersion in these universes that we actually know very little about.
Espace des mondes polaires
Relaxation
Les Rousses Lake
Just below the fort you'll find the lake of Les Rousses, 90 hectares of crystal-clear water and family-friendly facilities to help you enjoy the peace and quiet, far from the crowds of the busy seaside resorts.
Mountain atmosphere at Les Rousses LakeOrganise your holiday
The Palladian Villa Château de Syam, the most Italian of Jura's palaces
From military to monetary Joux Castle, the Via Francigena tollgate
A buried cathedral Discover Fort Saint-Antoine, a land and a history
A link between the Jura Mountains and the Alps Château Voltaire
