I have visited the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region three times so far - the Franche Comté is a very underrated region. This area in the Jura and Doubs departments is fantastically beautiful and largely spared from mass tourism. The countless lakes are not overcrowded even in August and offer sandy beaches and crystal clear water. If you are looking for peace and pure nature, this is the right place for you! But see for yourself ...

I was once in Burgundy but unfortunately I lost the photos.

Arbois (Jura):

Birthplace of Louis Pasteur. Nice village on the river Cuisance. Old stone houses and bridges on the river. You can visit the house where Louis Pasteur was born. The "Cascades des Tufs" waterfalls south of Arbois in Les Planches sous Arbois and the Belvèdère du Fer au cheval viewing point are particularly beautiful.

Balms-les-Messieurs (Jura):

probably the most beautiful place in Franche Comté. You feel like you are in the south of France. Quaint stone houses and cobblestone streets surrounded by huge rocks. The Abbaye is located in the middle of the village and is very impressive. The Seille brook flows idyllically through the village and is lined with stone bridges. At the end of the valley the Cascades des Tufs, great tufa waterfalls. (but often do not have water in midsummer). An impressive grotto can also be visited here. In Granges-sur-Baume, a little higher up, there is the Belvèdére Granges sur Baume viewpoint near the Fromagerie de Poulet (there is incredibly good cheese and sausage at reasonable prices). From above you can see the entire valley and the place, really fantastic. Another vantage point up there is the Croix de Suchot (park at the parking lot where the D70 and D210 cross and take the small path opposite).

Chateau Chalon (Jura):

beautiful village on a hill in the vineyards. Pretty alleys, nice restaurants and bistrots with fantastic views. It is very reminiscent of Provence. Here you can try and buy the vin jaune, which is known for the region. Chateau Chalon is definitely not to be missed.

Mouthier Haute Pierre (Doubs):

quaint, picturesque village located directly on the Loue river. Very nice places on the river where you can linger. A hike to the Cascade de Syratus is particularly beautiful. You can eat very well in the Hotel Restaurant La Cascade in the middle of town. In the slightly higher located Hautepierre de Chatelet you can walk to the beautiful viewpoint "Belvédere de la Roche de Hautepierre". Fantastic views over the rocky mountains and into the Loue gorge. Especially beautiful at sunset. A village, what it really did to me.

Lods (Doubs):

one of the 100 most beautiful villages in France. Located directly on the Lou river, which is particularly wide here. Very nice streets, houses and hardly any tourism. A hike along the Loue to Mouthier Haute Pierre is particularly beautiful. Picnic areas by the river with an idyllic view of the village.

Besancon (Doubs):

the capital of Franche Comté, surrounded by the Doubs river, is a jewel. The old town with the beautiful streets is a little reminiscent of Brittany. The citadel of Besancon is particularly worth seeing. Impressive views and a beautiful zoo including a terrarium for spiders and other reptiles. The banks of the Doubs are great for walks. Overall a nice city

Lac Chalain:

the water of Lac Chalain shimmers turquoise. The color looks almost fake. There are several sandy beaches and you almost feel like you are in the Caribbean. In Le Fontenu there is a wonderful panoramic path (Belvèdére de Fontenu), from where you have spectacular views of the lake. The water is quite why in summer and very suitable for swimming.

Lake Vouglans:

The extension of the Ain river in the form of a reservoir that meanders through unspoilt nature. There are several sandy beaches such as Plage de Belecin or Plage de la Mercantine. A beautiful path starts from Plage de Mercantine to the Belvèdére sur la Fratte viewpoint (approx. 30 min., Low incline). The restaurant Le Regardoir has one of the most beautiful views of the lake.

Maclu Lakes:

There is the Lac de Grand Maclu and the Lac de Petit Maclu. At the parking lot of Lac de Petit Maclu you can always walk along the banks of both lakes or take a circular hike. The lakes are natural and idyllic, the water crystal clear.

Lac d'Ilay:

the water shines turquoise and invites you to swim (there are several places where this is possible). You can also walk up to the Lacs de Maclu. A beautiful lake in an idyllic landscape.

Cascades des Tufs in Les Planches near Arbois:

These incredibly beautiful waterfalls, which are almost reminiscent of the South Seas, are located near the lovely village of Arbois. A really great place that I have already listed under Arbois.

Hedgehog waterfalls:

the most famous waterfalls in Franche Comté. There are a large and several small waterfalls in the entire gorge that you can hike through (good footwear required). It is best to start from the parking lot on the D326 and walk up the gorge. Certainly overcrowded in the high season, preferably first thing in the morning or out of season.

Die Source de la Loue:

this impressive spring is located near Ornans. The Doubs shoots out of a huge rock face and then forms a wonderful river that you can follow for many kilometers on a hiking trail. There are some smaller waterfalls on this route.

Die Source du Lison:

at Nans sous Sainte Anne the Lison enters a huge grotto. From the parking lot you can walk along the beautiful source river to the grotto. The location is idyllic in the forest, just beautiful.

Hike to Pic de l'Aigle and Belvèdére de quatres lacs:

Probably the most beautiful hike in the Jura. At the Parking pic de l'aigle near Le Chaux de Dombrief, the route starts over the Pic de l'Aigle viewpoint and on to Belvèdere de quatre lacs. Approx. 2.5 hours, 8 km, slight inclines.