Nestling in a green environment, the Chalain lake is a magnificent water pond of glacial origin that is 2,9 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide. This lake is particularly well-suited for watersports activities. Its sandy beaches are perfect for those who love lounging around.

On-site excavations uncovered the remains of lake dwellings. These findings can be observed in the archaeology museum of Lons-le-Saunier.

Capital of the Jura and spa town, Lons-le-Saunier is also the native town of Rouget de Lisle. The picturesque Commerce street, lined with arches, and the Liberté square decorated with fountains and surrounded by beautiful buildings, such as the theatre and the clock tower, are among the town's key attractions.

The birth house of Rouget de Lisle, situated in the Commerce street, is today home to a museum that recounts the life of the composer of La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, through an exhibition of documents and personal objects.

Also to be discovered: the 18th-century Hôtel-Dieu and its magnificent apothecaries, the Cordeliers church, the Saint-Désiré church, the charming fountains, the Fine art museum home to paintings and sculptures and the Archaeology museum exhibiting collections of mineralogy, paleontology and archaeology.

The thermal baths (Thermes) offer courses of hydrotherapy in the salt- and trace element-rich water, as well as wellbeing breaks. In front of the establishment there's a beautiful park for walkers.

The Lakes region, situated on the east side of Lons-le-Saunier, offers magnificent series of lakes with wooded shores. You can admire them from a number of easily-accessible viewpoints.

The four-lake viewpoint of the municipality of Le Frasnois, provides a magnificent view of the lakes of Grand Maclu, Petit Maclu, Ilay and Narlay. Because of the beauty of this site, notably in autumn when colours are gorgeous, this place was nicknamed Little Scotland. But the discovery of the magic landscapes of the Lakes region does not stop there: the lakes of Chalain, Clairvaux, Vouglans, Vernois, Val, Chambly and Bonlieu will amaze fans of lakes and natural scenery.

Situated at an altitude of 429 metres near Moirans-en-Montagne, the Vouglans lake is, with its 35 kilometres in length, the third biggest artificial water reservoir in France. Benefiting from an unspoiled environment, this magnificent turquoise lake surrounded by forests can be admired off several viewpoints. Besides its beauty, the lake is perfect for numerous water sports activities. Its three harbours, its three sandy beaches that are the Bellecin beach, the Mercantine beach and the Surchauffant beach, along with the vast range of leisure activities will without a doubt delight holidaymakers and watersports fans. Sailing, pedal-boating, canoe kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing, fishing, swimming and boat trips are among the activities on offer. Hilking and mountain-biking is also possible, the shores of the lake offering 82 km of footpaths.

Not to be missed: the impressive Vouglans dam that was built in 1968 and measures 130 metres in height.

Nestling in the heart of a magnificent cirque, the village of Baume-les-Messieurs, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, takes advantage of an exceptional natural setting. The famous high cliffs can be contemplated off several viewpoints dominating the roofs of Baume-les-Messieurs. In the village itself, you mustn't miss the Benedictine abbey founded in the 6th century. Its Romanesque abbey church is unusual in that it is home to a magnificent Flemish altarpiece dating from the 16th century.

Between Doucier and Bonlieu, in the Lakes region, the Hérisson valley is marked by the presence of magnificent waterfalls. A 3.7 km long footpath lets visitors discover no less than 31 waterfalls! The best-known are the very impressive Éventail waterfall, and the 60-metre high Grand Saut waterfall!

The Maison des Cascades, situated near the Éventail waterfall is a museum dedicated to this natural site and especially to its history, its fauna, its geology and its legends.

Given its location deep in the Haut-Jura Nature Park and Lakes region, you know the Toy Museum in Moirans-en-Montagne is going to be something special. It houses one of the best collections of toys and games in Europe with up to 20,000 items, 2000 of which are on display and explore childhood in every era and country. It also celebrates Jura's toy making expertise, with Moirans the historical home of French toy making.

The permanent exhibition's themed experience is packed with fun-filled terminals, workshops, storytelling tours, performances and conferences for big kids. Nours, the museum's mascot, is part of the visitor experience and has little riddles to help children explore the collections. The museum's stars (original, rare or unique items) are displayed in glass cases. There are also temporary exhibitions with items that visitors can touch and handle.

If you love toys, then here are two events you don't want to miss: Idéklic, the international children's festival in July, and Noël au Pays du Jouet celebrating Christmas in the land of toys in December.

Situated in Arlay, in the heart of the Jura vineyards, the elegant 18th-century castle is dominated by the remains of the medieval fortress. It is home to furniture of the Bourbon Restoration period. Its romantic park, which extends over the hill, as well as its Jardin des Jeux garden featuring flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables, is a lovely place for a walk.

Overlooking the famous Jura vineyards from its rocky mountain spur, the picturesque village of Château-Chalon is the perfect place for a stroll: Romanesque church dating from the 10th century, beautiful wine-growers' houses and tremendous viewpoints offering an exceptional view of the vineyards, can be observed along the walk.

The vineyards of Château-Chalon, carrying the AOC quality label Château-Chalon, is renowned for its yellow wine.

The viewpoints along the route of the Langouette gorges and waterfalls allow to fully appreciate the beauty of the place. Wild narrow gorges, as well as waterfalls, particularly impressive during the rainy period, can be observed there.

The village of Saint-Hymetière boasts a jewel of Romanesque art: a listed church dating from the 11th century. The floor of its porch is unusual in that it is paved with old gravestones.

A beautiful footpath situated on the municipality of Bourg-de-Sirod, leads the walkers to a particularly wild site in which the River Ain crosses a very narrow gorge. This place is especially impressive during the rainy period when the water flow increases.

The town of Morez, situated right in the heart of the Upper Jura Regional Nature Park, has been an important glasses manufacturing centre since the end of the 18th century. The Glasses museum, dedicated to the history of the eyewear trade, is home to a remarkable collection of glasses.

Situated in the Upper Jura Regional Nature Park, at the confluence of the Bienne and Tacon rivers and in a beautiful mountainous environment, the town of Saint-Claude is famous for its craft, and especially for the manufacture of briar pipes. The Pipe and Diamond museum houses collections of pipes, diamonds and precious stones.

Remains of a former abbey, the Saint-Pierre cathedral of Gothic style boasts a classical facade. Inside, a magnificent 16th-century altarpiece, as well as magnificent wooden stalls, can be observed.

The city constitutes an excellent departure point for visiting the Flumen gorges.

Nestling in the heart of Burgundian Bresse, the city of Louhans is renowned for its famous poultry market, which takes place every Monday morning. An event not to be missed under any circumstances! Besides its authentic traditional market, Louhans can also be proud of having the longest arcaded street in France. Extremely picturesque, the Grande-Rue street is lined with 157 arches! A visit of the historic centre also takes in the Saint-Pierre church, covered with a roof of glazed tiles; the Bailli house, building dating from the end of the 16th century; and the apothecary shop of the Hôtel Dieu hospital with its splendid old Italian-Spanish Moorish vases.

Famous for its poultry that carries the AOC quality label, the Burgundian Bresse, situated on the east side of the département, boasts water mills and typical brick-built and timber-framed farms. The peaceful Bresse countryside, with its landscapes of hedged farmlands, rivers and ponds, is a perfect place for the freshwater fishing. Not to be missed: the renowned and picturesque poultry market, which takes place every Monday morning in Louhans. Also unmissable, the visit of the Burgundian Bresse heritage museum in Pierre-de-Bresse.

Near Nozeroy, a pleasant footpath takes you to the source of the River Ain. This stream originates at a 700-metre altitude in a beautiful wooded setting. The flow of this re-emergence varies greatly according to the season.

Capital of the Jura wines, the town of Arbois boasts a beautiful architectural heritage. Its houses sitting along the picturesque Cuisance river are very charming. The Saint-Just church dating from the 12th and 13th centuries boasts a 60-metre high bell tower. The latter is accessible in July and August, offering then a magnificent view of the vineyards and the roofs of the city.

Open to visitors, the Pasteur House, in which Louis Pasteur used to stay regularly, is home to personal souvenirs, objects, devices and instruments of the famous scientist.

Also not to be missed, the Vineyards and Wine museum situated in a part of the Pécauld castle, introduces visitors to the history and traditions related to wine-growing, as well as presenting the region's grape varieties and wine-making methods.

The charming hilltop village of Nozeroy has preserved lovely remains of its past, such as the Horloge gateway, the Saint-Antoine collegiate church, and the ruins of the castle.

Situated in the Upper Jura Regional Nature Park, not far from the Swiss border, Les Rousse ski resort consists of four villages that are Bois-d'Amont, Lamoura, Les Rousses and Prémanon. In winter, different activities, such as the Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoes hiking, are possible here.

In summer, the Rousse lake is perfect for water activities in a beautiful setting. Hiking and mountain biking in the magnificent landscapes of the Upper Jura massif also are among the summer activities offered.

Situated in the northeast of Champagnole, the Joux forest extends over 2,660 hectares. It is one of the most beautiful fir plantations in France. Some of its firs reach a height of more than 40 metres. According to the tradition, the most remarkable firs are elected president. The current president fir, is more than two centuries old and measures 45 metres high for a 1.20 metre diameter!

A signposted tourist trail and numerous footpaths let you discover the wonders of this forest massif.

Dominated by the silhouette of the Belin fort, Salins-les-Bains is a charming and pleasant spa town benefiting from a beautiful natural environment.

Open to visitors, the former saltworks, a listed building, are home to underground galleries dating from the 13th century and a hydraulic pumping system, still in service today, which enables salt water to be extracted.

In the heart of the town, the thermal baths offer medical cures and a wellbeing space.

From the surrounding hills, there's a wonderful view over the roofs of the town and the unspoiled setting.

Nestling at the heart of the Jura Massive in a clearing surrounded by pine trees and spruces, Lake Genin, a listed natural site, is known as the little Canada of Upper Bugey. At an altitude of 831 metres, in the communes of Charix, Échallon and Oyonnax, this lake has a surface area of 8 hectares and looks superb amid unspoilt countryside which is ideal for walking.

Its fish-filled water will delight fans of carp, trout and pike fishing. As well as this peaceful activity, you can swim there in the summer and take advantage of the many surrounding paths to enjoy a hike.

In the winter, you're sure to be thrilled by activities such as ice skating on the frozen lake, diving under ice and snowshoe walking!

With a surface area of around 165 000 hectares, Upper Jura Regional Nature Park covers the three departments of Ain, Jura and Doubs. Its highest point is the Crêt de la Neige peak, at an altitude of 1 720 metres, in the department of Ain.

A series of wonderful landscapes full of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, mountain pastures, forests and villages lies in store for the delight of nature-lovers and hiking fans.

In the Jura, the Flumen gorges between Saint-Claude and Septmoncel; the Chapeau de Gendarme, a natural curiosity made of limestone layers shaped like an old policeman's hat; the wonderful Lamoura lake and the Les Rousses ski resort, are among the places to be discovered.

In the Doubs département, do not miss a walk in the Mouthe valley, covered with forests and prairies, which is notably where the Doubs River has its source. In Chapelle-des-Bois, the Michaud House heritage museum, housed in a 17th-century farm, recounts the life of the farmers over the last centuries.

Ain offers magnificent natural sites which are well worth a trip: the Faucille Pass, Mount Rond, Colomby de Gex, the site of Fort l'Écluse, the Crêt de la Neige and Crêt de Chalam peaks and the Valserine Valley are just some of the places you can discover on foot. At the Monts Jura winter and summer sports resort you can practise a number of outdoor activities, such as cross-country and Alpine skiing, hiking and mountain biking, golf and downhill luge.

Travelling through the Upper Jura Massive is also a chance to enjoy the local specialities, like famous Jura cheeses such as Comté, Bleu de Gex and Morbier, and visit one of the many fruit farms in this area.

Nestling at the heart of Upper Jura Regional Nature Park, the family resort of Monts Jura is formed of four skiing sites and two villages, Mijoux and Lélex. Its territory, consisting of 60 kilometres of Alpine ski slopes and 140 kilometres of cross-country ski slopes, offers the biggest change in altitude and the largest ski area of the Jura Massive!

Come winter or summer, many sports activities are on offer to outdoor leisure fans: cross-country and alpine skiing, snowshoeing and dog sled rides in the winter; hiking and mountain biking, golf, fishing, adventure courses dog sled trips and paragliding in the summer.

Luge fans take note! One special feature of the resort can be found at the Faucille Pass: one of the longest rail-type luge runs in Europe! The 4 Seasons luge run is, as its name indicates, accessible for a large part of the year.

Built from 1774 to 1779 by the architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux, the former royal saltworks of Arc-et-Senans constitutes a remarkable example of the French industrial heritage. Of Neoclassical style, this group of 11 buildings is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can look around the Guards' building, Director's building, blacksmith's workshop and cooperage. There is also a salt museum and the Claude Nicolas Ledoux museum.

Nestling at the heart of Pays de Gex at the foot of the Jura Massive, at the edge of Switzerland and Upper Jura Regional Nature Park, the spa resort of Divonne-les-Bains has been famous for its pure water with beneficial properties since the middle of the 19th century.

Its Spas, which specialise in treating psychosomatic disorders such as anxiety, fatigue, overwork, insomnia, spasmophilia and depression, also offer fitness breaks with a swimming pool, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, solarium, weights room and aquagym, fitness and yoga sessions, and well-being treatments.

The resort also offers many options for sports and leisure activities, with its 45-hectare artificial lake, water sports centre, 18-hole golf, Casino, Cinema-Theatre, shows, exhibitions and horse races.

Boasting a sandy beach and water sports club where you can practise rowing, windsurfing, optimist sailing and kayaking, Divonne beach will delight lovers of relaxation as well as sports fans!