![The unusual Doubs, in the heart of the Jura Mountains](https://en.montagnes-du-jura.fr/uploads/external/0accda687ac31cbfd41def8dc94f1ed4-Citadelle---JD-Garrelou---110--1440x900.jpg)
The unusual Doubs, in the heart of the Jura Mountains
Magnificent natural sites, a remarkable cultural and architectural heritage, not to mention craftsmanship and gastronomy: a multi-faceted tour of the Doubs.
Day 1
-Arrival in Besançon late morning. Access to the Citadelle*.
-Lunch in the heart of the Citadelle.
-Visit "In the footsteps of Vauban" led by an actor: Vauban himself will share with you his knowledge of the history and architecture of the site.
Then take a free tour of the monument and its many museums: the Resistance and Deportation Museum, the Comtois Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Espace Vauban, a zoo, an insectarium, an aquarium, a noctarium... and the Resistance and Deportation Museum.
Discover the immersive multimedia show that takes you back in time and space to discover the key moments in the history of Besançon and the Citadelle.
-Check into your hotel*** in Besançon or Ornans or Haut-Doubs, depending on choice and availability.
-Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2
-After breakfast.
-Guided tour of the Château de Joux: a true testament to the evolution of fortified architecture, discover the world of its legendary characters.
-Visit to a traditional distillery: all the secrets of making regional aperitifs, liqueurs and eaux de vies, from Pontarlier-Anis to absinthe. Tasting session.
-Lunch stop.
Guided tour of the Maisons Comtoises open-air museum in Nancray: over an area of 15 hectares, no fewer than thirty traditional Comtois buildings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, complete with period furniture, have been dismantled from their original location and reassembled on the site. These houses are furnished and enhanced with events and temporary exhibitions.
-Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 3
-After breakfast.
-Visit to a traditional cheese dairy and tasting session. The dairy produces and matures Comté, Morbier and Raclette cheeses, and offers you a tour of the dairy with a video presentation of the cheese-making stages, a tour of the cheese-making workshop (with picture windows) and the maturing cellars (depending on the cellar selected), ending with a tasting of local products.
-Lunch cruise with commentary on the Doubs basins and discovery of the Saut du Doubs: 14 km of outward and return cruises with commentary. The boats cross the meandering Doubs and Lake Chaillexon before entering the heart of the canyons. Gliding peacefully along the water, you'll appreciate the exceptional beauty of the steep, wild cliffs of the Gorges du Doubs. A stopover at the waterfall will give you access to the viewpoints overlooking the Saut du Doubs, a 27-metre waterfall.
-Visit the Tuyé du papy Gaby Set off to discover one of the most impressive tuyés in the Haut-Doubs, where you will learn about the various stages in the manufacture of the famous smoked sausage and visit the drying room where the tuyé products are smoked (Cendrée, Morteau sausage, ham, etc.). Tasting of local products.
Stop at the customs of the Saugeais Republic: folk entertainment.
-Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 4
-After breakfast.
-Guided tour of the Royal Saltworks: built between 1774 and 1779 by the architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux. A royal factory, it used brine from Salins, and as a unique example of 18th-century industrial architecture, it is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Free visit of the Cercle immense gardens and current exhibitions.
-Lunch on your own.
-Return to your region.
From €445 / person (depending on period and hotel)
Based on 30 participants
- Accommodation in a 3-star or 3-star hotel based on a double room
- Tourist tax
- Entrance fees, tastings and visits mentioned in the programme
- Meals mentioned in the programme (1 bottle of wine for 4 people and coffee with meals)
- Free coach driver
- 2nd complimentary half-double for groups of 40 or more.
- Transport
- Extras
- Single supplement: depending on the hotel.
Options :
- Optional cancellation/repatriation insurance: 3.5% of the total cost of the package
- Lunch at the Royal Saltworks on the last day: please contact us.
- Access to the Citadelle, if not provided by your coach (possible if coach < 12.50 m long), can be provided by the following means (return fares): with a city bus chartered for your group, by tourist train or regular bus service: please contact us.