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This weekend getaway is a chance to see the best of Jura with 5 iconic points of interest: Besançon and the Citadel, the Saline Royale (Royal Saltworks) in Arc-et-Senans, a listed UNESCO site, and finally the villages of Pupillin, Château-Chalon and Baume-Les-Messieurs. Get ready to be amazed by the fascinating Jura wines, the captivating history of our UNESCO sites and the irresistible charm of our classified villages. Let's go!
Begin your getaway in Besançon, town of Art and History. Along with a guide, you'll be exploring the picturesque streets, fortifications, the cathedral, Palais Granvelle, pretty inner courtyards and you'll also be unveiling the best-kept secrets of the area. You'll be wandering around the town centre streets as you learn about the captivating history from the passionate guide.
Stay in Besançon for the afternoon and wander over to the Citadel that watches over the town from its headland. From Porte Rivotte, you can choose to walk, cycle, drive or take a bus to climb the 120 m to reach the architectural treasure at the top.
This masterpiece of fortified architecture was designed by Vauban in the 17th century, and resembles a great maze with a number of different areas to discover, including a huge museum to learn about biodiversity, a multimedia show venue in the chapel, the Musée Comtois, an area devoted to Vauban and finally the recently renovated Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation.
This time, you'll be headed to Arc-et-Senans for a tour of the Saline Royale (Royal Saltworks), an architecutural masterpiece by the visionary Claude Nicolas Ledoux. For this second day, you'll be able to learn more about the history of salt, the famous white gold that was behind the booming economy here in the 18th century.
You can visit the permanent exhibition on salt, its origins and trade, and also find out all about the creator of the Saltworks at the Musée Ledoux.
The Saltworks isn't just a building! There are also magnificent gardens that form a huge circle and are perfect for a stroll around the ponds, aromatic plants, medicinal plants, cereals and the vegetable garden.
Brand new! Embark on an interactive 3D journey from Egypt to Venice, Syria, Libya, the Amazon and Uzbekistan, to explore UNESCO's 8 wonders of the world.
Head to Pupillin for a tour and tasting in the world Poulsard capital.
You'll be lucky enough to discover the wine cellars of Pupillin winegrower's cooperative and then taste 6 of the wines produced there. Not-to-mention a walk up to Pupillin viewpoint.
The Pupillin winegrower's cooperative
We absolutely recommend going to Château-Chalon, the birthplace of the famous vin jaune. This winegrowing village is set on a headland with 4 superb panoramic views and multiple wine cellars where you can come and taste this precious nectar of the Jura.
Château-Chalon is a treasure of the Jura Mountains both for its beauty and its one-of-a-kind nature and as such, was awarded the 'most beautiful village of France' label.
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The Jura vineyard is the smallest one in France, but the grape varieties grown there can be paired with all different flavours! Savagnin, Poulsard, and Trousseau are only grown in the Jura. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are then added, for a selection that is sure to please sommeliers, the great chefs and anyone who is a fan of wine.
THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL IS HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH, ENJOY WITH MODERATION.
Speaking of France's 'most beautiful villages', we suggest ending your stay here in Baume-les-Messieurs and the abbey. This picturesque little village nestled at the heart of a steephead valley is home to an imperial abbey, come and discover all its secrets.
This place is surrounded by staggering cliffs and a magnificent waterfall that adds a calm, peaceful touch.
In Besançon there's the new Bernard Loiseau restaurant that pays tribute to regional cuisine, or if you're looking for something more traditional, head to the Brasserie du Commerce. In Arbois we recommend the local, seasonal cuisine at Le Bistronôme. In Pupillin, Le Grapiot is a popular choice and has also been awarded 1 'Bib Gourmand' by the Michelin guide and 2 'toques' in the Gault & Millau guide.
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