Water sports and aerial sports

The country's white waters will have you in a cold sweat. Sportspeople, get out your paddles!

Water sports

The sea may be a long way away but the joys of sailing are ever-present in Franche Comté. In fact you can swim almost anywhere in Franche-Comté, in the beautifully clear water of the numerous lakes - some of which, like Chalain lake, are particularly popular among Dutch tourists - and take part in all sorts of water sports: catamarans, dinghies, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, simple boating or even pedal-boating. Not to forget your suntan, of course!

Canoeing enthusiasts will be delighted with the waters of the rivers, some stretches of which are calm and perfectly suited to beginners and others more turbulent and foaming.

For example, international competitions are often held in the rapids at Goumois, on the Doubs.

However, if you aren't a pro, not to worry: there are sailing clubs scattered just about everywhere where you will be introduced to the joys of the paddle or provided with experienced guides to try things out with.

The Loue, which is navigable for 170 km and is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in France, is perfectly suited to kayaking or canoe trips. In the Jura, the Ain is also a beautiful and powerful river.

Its source is at an altitude of 750 m, on the Nozeroy plateau, in a magnificent forest setting. When the river crosses the Jura, its course often runs through deep-cut ravines and its waters then form waterfalls, foaming on the rapids or splashing through the masses of rocks.

The source of the river Ognon is at an altitude of 1,060 metres, in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park and after experiencing a little difficulty at the start the watercourse bursts into a magnificent 15-metre waterfall, Ognon Waterfall, at the opening from a narrow rocky gorge. The Ognon then calms down to offer numerous sailing possibilities.
 

Aerial sports : a bird's eye view

If you don't have time to tour the world in 80 days, unlike Jules Verne, take just one or two hours to fly over the region, for example in a hot-air balloon. You may have to get up a little early to make the most of favourable winds.

Nevertheless, this slight inconvenience is largely compensated by the spectacular scenery afforded by this adventure, with bird's eye views of the countryside which are enough to take the breath away.

The balloon glides effortlessly and silently through the sky for an unforgettable voyage. The more daring holidaymakers might try paragliding or hang-gliding but if mechanized aerial travel offers you more reassurance, it is also possible to fly over Franche-Comté in a microlight aircraft. What is important is that you rise above it all...