City breaks: top weekend getaways!
Treat yourself to a weekend city break before reaching for the summits of the Jura Mountains! Dole, Lons-le-Saunier, Bourg-en-Bresse, Montbéliard... choose your town and get away from the daily grind for a few days. Here are our suggestions for a weekend escape!
Besançon
The Franche-Comté CapitalTucked in a bend on the River Doubs, the capital of Franche-Comté, with its impressive UNESCO-listed Citadel towering above, has nothing to envy of the big cities. Besançon has plenty of natural treasures, cultural gems and architectural delights. Discover the Time Museum and the Fine Arts Museum before relaxing in the Gare d'Eau park or taking a boat trip through the city. For party animals, Besançon is a very lively place with multiple concerts at the Rodia and the Micropolis, and plenty of bars and restaurants. One thing's for sure, you'll never forget your city break in the heart of the Time capital.
Montbéliard
Home of the legendary PeugeotClose to Switzerland, the unique Montbéliard is an inviting, romantic and colourful town with vestiges from the 400-year reign of the Princes of Wurtemberg. You'll also be able to follow a fabulous venture at the Peugeot Museum and the science pavilion. If you're lucky enough to visit at the end of the year, you'll see the famous Christmas lights and the traditional Christmas market which is said to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. Come and explore the City of Princes.
Dole
For heritage buffs and fans of Louis PasteurBetween the River Doubs and the River Loue, a stone's throw from the immense Chaux Forest and the vineyards of Jura, Dole is a town of Art & History that unveils many a charm. Admire the majestic Notre-Dame collegiate church, explore the steep, narrow streets and continue along the banks of the Canal des Tanneurs, where Louis Pasteur was born. You'll even be able to visit one of his homes. In the summer, the quayside is brought to life by dozens of boats and the restaurant terraces invite you to take the time for a stroll.
Lons-le-Saunier
Spa baths and cultureLons-Le-Saunier, the ultimate spa resort, is surrounded by the lakes and vineyards of Jura. After a relaxing day at the spa, discover local produce from the Jura Mountains and products such as the famous Laughing Cow cheese! You can even discover all its secrets by visiting the Laughing Cow Museum. The art of living is what Lons-le-Saunier is all about, as you'll see for yourself in the town centre, at Place de la Liberté and on Rue du Commerce, where the 146 arches are full of life. The promise of a perfect city break!
Bourg-en-Bresse
A wealth of heritage on the edge of the Jura MountainsThe gourmet town of Bourg-en-Bresse is a place where the living is good. The sublime mix of tradition and modernity promises to be a pleasant experience. Escape for a memorable journey that starts at the Brou Monastery and continues in the parks and the old part of the town, where you'll see traditional Bresse-style farm buildings with Saracen chimney stacks. Last but not least, you simply cannot visit Bourg-en-Bresse without a thought for the famous Bresse chicken, considered to be the best in the world! To try it, head for one of the town's many restaurants.
