This is the highest peak (1 545m) in this range that dominates the Valserine valley to the west. It is a little arduous to get here, but the panoramic views are spectacularly beautiful and take in the length of the Valserine valley. To the east, the ..

Place de la Halle is one of France's most characteristic squares. Its name comes from the covered market that stood in the centre of the village until 1839. The houses lining the square relate the history of the village. The hostelry (Ostellerie) has..

Two summits make up the Grand Colombier. To the North, one of the summits has a cross whilst the Southern summit has a triangulation point. From the top of these two settings, hikers may admire the magnificent panorama over the Jura, the Rhone Valley..

Mont Colomby de Gex is one of the highest peaks (1 689m) of the Jura range, overlooking the Swiss plain below. It commands a stunning view of the Alps, similar to the one from Mont-Rond.

A fine example of an autarkic Cistercian monastery, the well-restored abbey in its green isolated valley was consecrated in 1147 by Pope Eugene III in the presence of St Bernard, founder of the Order. The land, called Fontanetum , as it “floats on f..

The Source de la Loue is one of the Jura's most beautiful natural sites. It is spectacular to see water spring from a vast grotto located at the foot of a 100 m-high cliff. Various experiments have shown that river Doubs water comes into contact with..

From the raised platform of the Lac de Chaillexon, the River Doubs tumbles to its natural level in a magnificent cascade. There is a boat service from Villers-le-Lac to the waterfall, which follows the river's meanders and passes through gorges. On a..

Leave your car near the chalet of the Baume caves. To contemplate the high rocky cliffs which form this cirque will fill you with an overwhelming sensation.

The cliffs of Baume, also known as the Crançot Belvedere, constitutes a magnificent viewpoint over the valley. The Crançot Ladders, which is nothing more than a staircase which replaced several 17C ladders, provide access to the bottom of the pass an..

The source of the Hérisson is at an altitude of 805m, and the river tumbles down the slopes in spectacular waterfalls. It rapidly reaches the Doucier plateau, dropping 280m in 3km. In the gorges, it forms numerous waterfalls, such as the famous Casca..

A path (leaving from Doucier, further west) leads to the foot of the Cascade de l'Eventail, from where there is the best view. The water tumbles from a height of 65m in leaps and bounds, forming a monumental pyramid of foaming water. The path then le..

This admirable church is set on a hill at the top of the village of Vézelay. The present basilica, one of the most beautiful in France, is partly Romanesque and has a vast, luminous nave with splendid statues. It was built in homage to St Magdalen wh..

The beautiful architecture, elegant decoration - ironwork, gabled windows and weather vane - its famous varnished tiles and old well are more suited to a Gothic palace than a hospice. In the Grand'salle or «poor room» stands a 15th C statue of the ..

For wine lovers, this landscape is the stuff of legend. For 65km between Dijon and Santenay lies one of the world’s greatest wine growing regions. Every step of the way seems to have its own famous name: each village, each slope: a proud viticultural..

These 15C Flemish triptychs in carved painted and gilded wood were given to the church, one by Baron Philippe de Ternant, chamberlain to the Duke of Burgundy Philippe the Good, the other by his son Charles. The larger triptych of the Passion includes..

Close to the source of the River Yonne, Mont Beuvray has a flat summit detached from the Haut Morvan massif. Inhabited since Neolithic times, Mont Beuvray (821m) was selected in the 2C BC by the powerful Aedui tribe as their capital: Bibracte. Contex..

This attractive cattle-farming region is dotted with fine Romaneque churches like those at Anzy le Duc and Semur en Brionnais , both of which feature on the Chemins du Roman (Romanesque route). The local abundance of first-rate raw materials in th..

Château de Drée’s reception rooms and bedrooms have fine Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture, Savonnerie carpets and wall hangings (the owners were part of a textile dynasty from the north of the country). Note the Directoire dining room and ..

Between Tournus and Mâcon, the Mâconnais mountains are striking for their red-hued soil, verdant vineyards and picturesque high villages, a joy to discover on foot or by bike along the Voie Verte path, or by car following the Lamartine trail. Its var..

At the heart of Burgundy, the mysterious Morvan massif spreads over four départements. Its geography and geology make it a distinct region, contrasting with its neighbours. Far from the major roads, the Morvan is the ideal place for those in search o..