The region of Franche-Comté that lies beneath the mountains of the Jura is primarily a land of contrasts: its folds and plateaus are a geological build up to the dramatic features of the Alps. The result is an incredibly varied landscape, with numerous different levels. Three great "domains" make up the the mountains of the Jura: the Pays Horloger, the Haut-Doubs and the Haut-Jura.

Arriving from the north, one enters via the Pays Horloger, in the heart of the department of the Doubs. An area of 700 km2 bordered on one side by the Doubs River, which is as capricious as the landscape, and on the other by Switzerland. Here the plateaus of Maîche - Le Russey balance a succession of valleys: those of the Doubs and the Dessoubre, and also the Morteau valley. Everywhere, the mountain is gentle, even though the altitude frequently climbs above 700 metres.

More to the west the Dessoubre Valley is a wonderful example of the great chaos to be found in nature: taking its course through the low points of a cleft running parallel to gorges of the Doubs. The grand finale of this little corner of paradise is the belvedere of the Roche du Prêtre, which hangs 350 metres over the spectacular enclosed valley. Further down, the waters of the Dessoubre gush over the rocks, dominating the landscape until its junction with the Doubs.

The latter, majestically flowing through the lakes of the Doubs, from Villers-le-Lac, continues within the high limestone cliffs covered with pine forests before escaping in a sumptuous 27 metre waterfall: the Saut du Doubs, classed as one of the fifteen most beautiful sites in France. Passed Morteau, nestling in a quiet valley where the pale green of the prairies contrasts with the dark green of the pine trees, is another startling contrast at the Entre-Roches gorge: the water foams through a very narrow canyon with vertiginous sides containing numerous caves.

The Mont d'Or 

The Mont d'Or (1463m) is a typical example of the higher Jura peaks, with a gentle slope on the French side and a cliff on the Swiss side. On the one side, herds of chamois, on the other Montbéliard heifers grazing peacefully. There could be no better environment for a cow! The Alpine pastures, abounding in large yellow gentians, set the setting for around sixty mountain chalets.

Dairy farming has won over the forest here, and has even taken the name of the mountain to give to one of its most famous cheeses, vacherin Mont d'Or.

The pastures in which these cattle are raised are surrounded by the forests which stretch over the chain of mountains known as the Risol and the Risoux, over thirty kilometres, extending out from the Mont d'Or. Here it is that you will find one of the largest natural mountain forests in Western Europe, a sanctuary for species such as the capercaillie or the hazel grouse, which are on the wane elsewhere. An exceptional natural heritage which offers visitors varied pleasures, from Nordic and downhill skiing to walking and mountain biking.