The Jura – A Taste of Traditional France

The Jura – A Taste of Traditional France

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7 Days From

$1617

The Jura – A Taste of Traditional France

7 Days Starting in Northern France and ending in Paris, France

Visiting: France, Besançon, Malbuisson, Jura Mountains, Fort de Saint-Antoine, Château de Joux, Ornans, Loue, Paris

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

fjtvj

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1617

NB: Prices correct on 28-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

The Jura region of France is synonymous with fine, distinctive cuisine and excellent wines. This new tour explores the natural beauty of lakes, waterfalls, mountains, meadows and forests, as we visit charming traditional villages in this undiscovered but beautiful corner of France. We base our stay in the quaint little town of Malbuisson, which is so typical of the Franche-Comté region. From here, enjoy visits to Besancon, the stunning Chateau de Joux, Ornans and more, as well as taking part in several tastings, including cheese, absinthe and wine!

Highlights

  • This new tour explores the natural beauty of lakes, waterfalls, mountains, meadows and forests, as we visit charming traditional villages in this undiscovered but beautiful corner of France

  • Enjoy visits to Besançon, the stunning Chateau de Joux, Ornans and more, as well as taking part in several tastings, including cheese, absinthe and wine

  • Head through the rolling foothills of the Jura Mountains to the picturesque wine town of Arbois – which is also the birthplace of Louis Pasteur

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Travel To Northern France

Location: France

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: City-style hotels

Meals Included: No Meals

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service then to northern France for an overnight stay.

Day 2 : Besançon

Location: Besançon, Malbuisson

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star Hotel le Lac

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Continue south and into the Jura, to Besançon, capital of Franche-Comté. Explore the delightful Old Town, which is built around a loop on the River Doubs. The city is dominated by the imposing medieval citadel which overlooks the town. See the Renaissance Palais Granvelle, Victor Hugo’s birthplace and the famous Astronomical Clock. We include a guided walk of the city before we continue to our hotel in Malbuisson four nights. Enjoy a welcome drink before our 4-course meal in the gastronomic Restaurant le Lac.

Day 3 : Wine, Salt & Jura Foothills

Location: Jura Mountains

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star Hotel le Lac

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, head through the rolling foothills of the Jura Mountains to the picturesque wine town of Arbois – which is also the birthplace of Louis Pasteur. Regarded as the Jura’s wine capital, Arbois is known for its rosé wine and distinctive Vin Jaune. Stroll around the pretty winding streets of this little town and then enjoy a local wine tasting. Lunch is included at a restaurant in Arbois or Salins les Bois.

This afternoon takes us on a guided visit of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans. Witness fascinating examples of 18th century industrial architecture. Our return journey back to the hotel takes us via a scenic drive via the gorges of the Lison River. Tonight, we enjoy our evening meal at the rustic A La Ferme restaurant.

Day 4 : Cheese & Absinthe

Location: Fort de Saint-Antoine

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star Hotel le Lac

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short drive this morning takes us to Fort St. Antoine, an old military fortress now used to store thousands of the famous local Comte cheeses. Enjoy a guided visit and tasting of the famous local produce in the fort's cellars. We head back to the hotel for lunch in the gastronomic Restaurant le Lac.

After lunch, we include a one-hour boat trip on Lac St Point, followed by a walk along the lake shores with a local guide pointing out the local wildlife and flora. We then head by coach to the town of Pontarlier, whose history is inextricably linked to absinthe. In the 19th century, it was the world capital of the infamous drink also called the 'green fairy'. For those brave enough, a tasting of absinthe and other local alcohols has been arranged!
Tonight, we enjoy more cheese, where we follow in the footsteps of Rick Stein during his recent Secret France series on Channel 4 and settle down for a meal in the typical Restaurant du Fromage. A Fondue Jurassien, made with local wine and comte cheese is always a fun experience.

Day 5 : A Day In The Haut Doubs

Location: Château de Joux

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: 3-star Hotel le Lac

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we include a guided tour to the stunning Chateau de Joux, perched on its rocky promontory dominating the access routes between France and Switzerland. Originally a fort, the building has a long history including time used as a prison, and is now a museum. We later head back to the hotel for lunch at the rustic A la Ferme restaurant.

After lunch we travel via the gorges of the Doubs River to Villers le Lac on the Franco-Swiss border. From here, we have arranged a 7km boat trip on the river up to the stunning Saut du Doubs waterfall, a French 'Grand Site National'. We disembark for a walk and appreciate the 27m waterfall. Finish our day at the Belvedere de la Roche du Pretre with its magnificent panoramic views of the rolling countryside and the stunning consolation rock formations which are home to caves, springs and waterfalls.

Tonight, we enjoy a farewell evening meal at the gastronomic Restaurant du Lac.

Day 6 : Ornans & The Vallée De La Loue

Location: Ornans, Loue, Paris

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: City-style hotels

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave Malbuisson and our scenic drive takes us first to the Point de Vue du Moine, which offers lovely views over the whole of the valley. See the River Loue with its stunning waterfall before we head to tranquil Ornans, nicknamed 'the little Venice of Franche Comte'. The Vallée de la Loue has inspired many artists and is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Jura.

We call at Ornans in time for lunch, before we head to Paris area via a quick stop off at Cleron where you can admire the medieval fortress on the banks of the River Loue. Overnight in the Paris area.

Day 7 : Return Home

Location: Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the 3-star Hotel le Lac in Malbuisson. 

Overnight stays in northern France and Paris will be in city-style hotels.

Check out our Q&As

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Gary White (Google Reviewer)  

Just got back from a...

27-May-2024

Just got back from a holiday with leger holidays to callea spain which my wife done as a surprise for my 60th and wedding anniversary together my wife and i had a great time the coach journey there was excellent regular stops for toilet breaks and a stretch. Our two drivers Geoff and katrina were brilliant serving regular drinks and making the trip pleasant all the people on the coach were pleasant the hotel in spain was so nice the best we've stayed in lovely staff lovely bar the guy at the bar was great really friendly nice room. Overall our journey there and our return journey was brill the only thing that was not good at all was the ibis hotel on the return journey the room was horrible not a nice breakfast not polite French staff. Not really interested in trying to speak some english if i was leger should try and use a different hotel. Once again a big thank you to Geoff and katrina well done guys for making our holiday lovely. Hope to see you on another holiday soon

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Sue Sinfield (Google Reviewer)  

Due to covid it was...

21-Jul-2022

Due to covid it was 3rd time lucky for us to visit lake Garda, what a treat. One or two hiccups but no fault of Legers at all. Praise to Graham and Chris for their excellent driving and coffee service. Our visit to Verona, our guide was very informative but did walk at a pace sometimes had to hurry to keep up. A lovely holiday

Michael Stephen Shilleto   England

Four Countries New Year & the Swiss Glacier Express

07-Jan-2024

Firstly we must thank Alex and Dave our tour guide / drivers who entertained us through out . The tour was fantastic so was the hotel’s food and entertainment. The tour was through the new year holidays as expected lots of shops closed and hotels were understaffed which was lost on some travelers. We travelled back from stop 24 on a luxuria coach I would recommend paying the extra for the comfort alone

Hilary Jackson (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on a...

12-Jun-2024

I recently went on a 4 night tour to Scarborough. Driver was great hotel superb. My criticism is too many destinations crammed into day excursion. Example visit to Flamborough head stop for 1 hour it was teeming nobody got off coach but even if fine pointless. Then on to Bridlington coach Park 1.5 ml from centre. Most people are hard pressed to get to center & back in 1.5 hours pointless. Incidentally if Leger paid a permit they could alight us in the resort. Very bad logistics. On to Whitby with a decent stop should have taken us there & bypassed the other stops. I will not go with them again. I will source a better holiday with excursions to one place only.

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Mary Elmhirst (Google Reviewer)  

I was told by a...

19-May-2024

I was told by a customer service advisor (Michael) , our hotel overlooked the River Seine, which was totally untrue. It was nowhere in sight and a good walk to get to it. My view from the hotel room was a wall and a window, There was no porterage available and although our drivers offered, after a 15 hour journey to France, we all opted to take our own luggage. To get into the shower there was a step to it and the floor of the shower was like an ice rink when wet, with nothing to hold onto. ( I showered wearing my slippers to avoid slipping). The plunger to the sink was unusable; (the lever to retrieve it was broken). The staff were pleasant and helpful, the bed was comfortable and clean abd the breakfast was worthy of the 3 stars given. Otherwise, I have stayed in a better 2* hotel in France. The driver and travel rep, Paul were both very friendly and pleasant but it was the first time Paul had been on this trip and therefore had little knowledge of the places we visited! There was no commentary and the history of Monet and Versailles was read out from a book! All in all, nothing would persuade me to take part in another Leger tour.

TU  

Many thanks to Molly.

03-Jan-2023

I have recently booked a trip to Le Mans and had the good fortune to speak to Molly. She was very helpful and a pleasure to talk to. She was able to answer all but one of my queries with clarity and promised to ring me with the answer to the un-answered question as it required further investigation. This she duly did. An unusually pleasant experience when making a booking over the phone, if only it could be this easy every the time.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.