Discover Challex, Ain, Rhône-Alpes: nature and heritage

Take a family walk through vineyards and undergrowth, and cross the border. It's an ideal getaway for young and old, combining nature, relaxation and enchanting landscapes. Discover a family hike that takes you from Challex to Dardagny, along charming paths lined with vineyards. Pass through vineyards bathed in light and enjoy the tranquillity of the scenery. The route offers views of the Rhône and the Monts Jura. At every stage, between undergrowth and open fields, nature reveals itself in all its splendour, and every season! A charming getaway that combines wine discoveries and wide open spaces.

This shared path, accessible to both pedestrians and cyclists, now links the villages of Farges and Péron, offering a pleasant route in the heart of nature. This greenway, built on a former railway line, now links Farges to Péron on a pleasant, safe route that is accessible to all. Ideal for walking and cycling. But the trail doesn't stop there: it forms a real link between several major routes in the region. From its route, you can easily join the Voie 10 de l'Ain, and even the famous Via Rhôna by taking a few stretches of shared road. It's a great way to broaden your horizons, whether you're a fan of leisurely strolls or long bike rides.

This beautiful forest trail leads to the “Pré Bouillet” chalet, from where you can admire a lovely view of the Salève. Discover the mysterious “pierre à Baptiste” along the way marked by cupules and carved holes. Departing from Farges, this hike alternates shady paths with open views. On the path winding through the forest, an imposing erratic rock known as the “Pierre à Baptiste”, a glacial rock with intriguing markings carved by “Sieur Baptiste”, who hoped to break it open to reveal its secrets and exploit it. The ascent continues to the Pré-Bouillet chalet, from where there is a superb panoramic view of the Salève and surrounding mountains. The descent then passes through clearings and undergrowth before reaching the first houses.

A footpath that straddles the Franco-Swiss border reveals the many hidden or forgotten faces of the architectural, historic, rural and natural heritage of the Geneva Basin. This cross-border loop between France and Switzerland is full of surprises. Crossing twice, many discoveries await you. Departing from the hamlet of Malagny, you will initially leave in the direction of the Swiss village of Sézegnin crossing the border for the first time. You will walk in the village for a while before walking along the vineyards until reaching Avusy and Champlong. After crossing the border and the river of the Laire you will reach the Teppes de la Repentance and its pine forest with Mediterranean ambiances, change of atmosphere guaranteed! Natural area protected by prefectural decree, stay well on the way to respect the fauna and flora. Before reaching Malagny and your starting point you cross the Domaine de la Tuilière, a site dedicated to high-level horseback riding.

This signposted itinerary invites you to discover the Grands Bois, a forest on the Geneva plain located in the communes of Valleiry and Viry, along the Franco-Swiss border.

This signposted itinerary invites you to discover the Grands Bois, a forest on the Genevan plain located in the communes of Valleiry and Viry, along the Franco-Swiss border. From the "La Joux - 440 m" parking lot, take the Grateloup road heading south-east. After 250 m, leave the road at the bend and turn left onto the farm track that leads to the edge of the wood. At "Bois de Vaise - 450 m", turn right towards Les Hutins. The path winds through the oak trees of Valleiry's communal forest, then reaches the boundary with the commune of Viry, which it follows for 250 m. As you approach the equestrian center, fork left to reach "Les Hutins - 450 m". Take the wide country lane on the left, towards La Tuilière. Alternatively, turn right to reach "Le Biollay". Pass under the high-voltage power line a second time and enter the meadow, which you cross for 500 m (out of respect for the farmer's work, please stay on the path). Then continue straight ahead along the "Vers les bois" road to reach the riding school. At "La Tuilière - 415 m", stay on the road and descend along private property towards La Repentance. As you approach the protected biotope, information panels remind you of the regulations in force on the site. Please follow the appropriate signposted itinerary (walker or horse rider). Discover the Teppes de la Repentance clay mullein wasteland. An exceptional environment in Haute-Savoie, this "sensitive natural area" is protected by Arrêté Préfectoral. A veritable refuge for a range of plants and animals that can scarcely be found elsewhere, the site is home to remarkable plant species (numerous orchids) as well as a rich and highly diversified fauna (butterflies in particular). The Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels 74 and the SIV are involved in site management. From the private villa "La Repentance - 390 m", take the carriage road to the left, heading south. After a kilometer, before leaving the wood, turn left onto the signposted route that leads into the private forest of the Swiss commune of Avusy. Go around the edge of the "Grand Champ" (south-east, then south-west) and join the Bois de Vaise. Return to your starting point in the direction of La Joux (or Le Biollay).

This route offers a superb diversity of landscapes: typical Jura forests, vast mountain pastures and panoramic ridges follow one another along the way. It's a complete and demanding loop, ideal for sporty hikers. From the Reculet and Crêt de la Neige peaks - the highest in the Jura mountains - you can enjoy a 360° view. On one side, a spectacular view of the Lake Geneva basin, Geneva, Mont Blanc and the entire Alpine chain; on the other, a panorama plunging down to the Valserine valley and the wild relief of the Haut-Jura, with the Crêt de Chalam in the background. The route takes you through the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, and part of the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: a protected, unspoilt area to be explored with respect. Good to know - Protected area Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to special regulations: Dogs are not allowed, even on a lead. Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.

This pedestrian and cycle path runs along the south side of Thoiry. From this greenway, a former railroad line redeveloped for soft mobility, cyclists can easily join two of the region's major itineraries: the Balcon du Léman circuit and the Voie 10 de l'Ain. Located to the south of Thoiry, this shared track offers a safe and pleasant setting, ideal for a cycling or walking getaway.

At the heart of the Vuache region, come and discover the signposted route among the churches and chapels of Viry. A walk which will lead you on the discovery of the heritage of Viry: Churches, castles, cemeteries, chapels, hamlets...

The Gralet refuge is located in the Haute Chaîne du Jura, along the GR Balcon du Léman - GTJ hiking trail, at an altitude of 1460 m. The refuge offers 10 places on reservation, with 4 places reserved for hikers passing through. Self-catering, the refuge has simple facilities: a communal kitchen with a wood-burning stove (no gas). Visitors are expected to respect the premises, clean up after themselves and bring back their garbage. Drinking water is available from the underground cistern using an outrigger pump, fed by rainwater and snowmelt. The use of purifying tablets is recommended.

TER line : - Bellegarde - VALLEIRY - Annemasse - Evian Station services : - Automatic ticket dispenser Connections TPG network : - Bus N : Saint-Julien-en-Genevois Nearby : - Restaurants and shops - Post office, banks and town hall - Via Rhona (cycling route)

A refuge set in an alpine farmhouse built in 1834 in Péron, offering an ideal getaway in the heart of nature. Located at an altitude of 1 446m in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, this picturesque refuge welcomes you in an authentic, rustic setting, ideal for mountain hikers. The refuge comprises 2 distinct sections : a refuge and a gîte. The refuge part offers comfortable and simple living conditions, with welcoming bedrooms, a cosy common room and a fully-equipped kitchen for preparing meals. Open all year round, it can accommodate up to 8 people, with 6 mattresses available for hikers. Equipped with a wood -burning stove for warming up in winter, a table for eating and a shelter in case of bad weather, the refuge allows visitors to rest and spend the night in peace. Renovated in 2022, with walls and roof insulated with burnt wood planks, it also features solar panels for room lighting and USB sockets for visitors' convenience. Wood is supplied by the association to fuel the stove. The gîte section is reserved exclusively for residents of the commune of Péron. To obtain the key, you need to reserve via the Mairie de Péron website and go to the Mairie to collect it, accessible via the “Availability and reservations” tab. Upstairs, under the roof, the gîte offers 14 beds, where you can be awakened by the gentle rays of sunshine filtering through the velux windows. On the first floor, a wood -burning stove warms the space and allows you to prepare your meals, accompanied by a gas stove and a complete assortment of utensils and pots and pans. Outside, a source of non-potable water allows you to recharge at the source. This will enable you to clean your cooking utensils. It's important to remember to bring drinking water with you. The fire pit is the perfect place to enjoy wood-fired dishes and keep warm on those balmy nights at the top of the Jura mountains.

Concerts, festivals, events and exhibitions, enjoyed by thousands of visitors, make Fort l'Ecluse an unmissable place to discover and enjoy... Well beyond the borders of Pays de Gex. Perched high above the Rhône, Fort l'Ecluse dominates the horizon. Over 700 years old, it has many stories to tell. Come and discover them on guided or self-guided tours, through the fascinating scenography of the "Au cœur de la Cluse" exhibition and the spectacular sound and light show "Fort l'Ecluse: 20,000 years of history". Something for everyone! Thanks to its immersive exhibitions, plunge "Into the heart of the storm" and "Discover the little rhinolophes", the bats of the Fort. This year, 2 new temporary exhibitions: "Intimité sauvage", fantastic animal photos by Adrien Favre, and "Gendarmes résistants dans l'Ain, le choix de l'impossible" by the association Mémoires de l'Ain 1939 - 1945. Summer events are sure to get you moving: the 12th edition of the Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles, historical re-enactments... And for those who want to get moving, there's a range of sporting activities: an adventure course with a breathtaking view of the upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hiking trails. And let's not forget the challenge of obtaining the famous staircase diploma: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery linking the Lower Fort to the Upper Fort.

At La Valserine campsite, you're ideally placed to explore the Monts-Jura valley via its many signposted footpaths included GTJ, providing an ideal starting point for your outdoor adventures. This eco-friendly campsite, certified by the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, welcomes you to a green and shaded setting on the banks of the peaceful La Valserine river, certified as a wild river. Located at the entrance to the village of Chézery-Forens, in the commune of Monts-Jura, our establishment offers 44 high-quality pitches, as well as chalets, mobile homes and eco-lodges equipped for 2 to 6 people, canvas lodges for 4 people and bivouac cabins. Enjoy our new heated lagoon spa pool, open in summer, and the snack bar, and discover our eco-grazing animals such as Soay sheep, rabbits and chickens. Children can have fun in our play area equipped with swings and a slide. Our rentals are open from February, and we provide a charging station for electric vehicles (7 kW).

Discover this unique gîte d'étape in a former 16th-century abbey, in the heart of the village and adjacent to the owners' inn. The second floor offers a spacious living room with kitchenette and sitting area, ideal for relaxing after a day of adventures. On the second floor, you'll find four quality bedrooms, each with a full en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin). The bedrooms vary, with one double, three large rooms each offering two distinct spaces (one with four single beds, two others with a bunk bed and three single beds). Nestled in the Parc Naturel du Haut Jura and close to the Pays de Gex, this is the perfect place for an extended stay or a stopover. Take advantage of the local hiking trail (GR), fish in the Valserine and discover the local cheese factory. Winter sports enthusiasts will love the alpine skiing and snowshoeing trails in the village of Lélex, just 12 km away.

In the heart of the village of Chézery-Forens in the Parc Naturel du Haut-Jura, the gîte "Chez Dario" is just a stone's throw from the river La Valserine and 12 km from the Monts-Jura resort, ideal for skiers and snowshoe trekking. The gîte has been carefully arranged by Françoise so that you will find all the comfort and pleasure you need for a perfect stay in the mountains. At "Chez Dario" you will find : - a large living room - well equipped fitted kitchen, a balcony with direct access to the outside. - communicating living room that can be converted into an independent bedroom with a comfortable double bed - independent WC and washbasin - On the first floor, two independent bedrooms, each with 2 single beds side by side, with a small desk. One bedroom has a ground floor access to the village square. - Shower room, Italian shower - Separate WC. Bicycle and motorbike garage available. It was once the boys' school and is named after a much-loved Italian woodcutter. Since the 12th century Chézery has a long history with a busy abbey in the Middle Ages. In 2019 the house was completely refurbished.

Traditional, detached farmhouse (174 sq.m.) overlooking Valserine valley below the Haut Jura mountains. Wonderful mountain views, extensive outdoor area, Peaceful and attractive setting. Ground floor: entrance in old workshop leading to large living room: kitchen opening onto dining area and fireside. Half-level up: shower room, WC, lounge area (DVD). 1st floor: 4 spacious bedrooms (160cm wide bed, cot) (2 single beds) (2 single beds) (double bed), shower room (walk-in shower), separate WC. Heating: wood and wood pellets. BBQ. Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing on the doorstep. Fishing, cross-country et downhill skiing, climbing nearby. Only 1 dog, Snowshoe hire possible on-site.

Treat yourself to a relaxing interlude with family or friends, in the heart of the Menthières mountains, where the peace, scenery and fresh air will guarantee you a rejuvenating stay. This former dairy is part of the Menthières-Station Monts-Jura family estate, located at an altitude of 1,000 m. Enjoy four recently renovated gîtes combining modern comfort with mountain-style decor. The estate comprises two gîtes for two to six people and two gîtes for two to eight people, all with fully-equipped kitchens and shower rooms with WCs. Ideal for hikers, sports enthusiasts, families and friends, summer and winter alike. Maximum capacity: 28 beds. All 4 gîtes can be rented on a group basis. Gîte “Les Jonquilles” on the 1st floor with PRM access via the terrace: 1 bedroom with 4 beds (1 x 140cm bed and 2 x 90cm bunk beds), living room/kitchen with possibility of 2 beds, 1 shower room and 1 toilet adapted for people with reduced mobility.

Whether you're with family or friends, come and enjoy the peace and quiet, the mountain scenery and the fresh air of Menthières for a most pleasant stay. This former dairy is part of the Menthières-Station Monts-Jura family estate, located at an altitude of 1,000 m. Enjoy four recently renovated gîtes combining modern comfort and mountain-style decor. The estate comprises two gîtes for two to six people and two gîtes for two to eight people, all with fully-equipped kitchens and shower rooms with WCs. Ideal for hikers, sports enthusiasts, families and friends, summer and winter alike. Maximum capacity: 28 beds. All 4 gîtes can be rented on a group basis. Gîte “La Marjolaine”, located on the 2nd floor, has 1 bedroom with 4 beds (1 x 160cm and 2 x 90cm trundle beds), a living room/kitchen with the option of sleeping 2, 1 shower room and 1 toilet.

The ENS of the Etournel marsh (nearly 200 ha) is the refuge of a remarkable fauna and flora. An essential migratory stopover for birds, this protected site with a path accessible to all handicaps is ideal for their observation. Between the Jura massif and the Rhone river, the marsh of Etournel is embraced by the Rhone river and consists of old woods, reedbeds, ponds and meadows. The Etournel marsh, upstream from the Ecluse parade, concentrates migratory flows of birds, drained from the entire Swiss plateau and especially for raptors (Peregrine Falcon, Honey Buzzard, Circaète Jean-le-Blanc or Black Milan). Ponds of ancient gravel pits depending on the dynamics of the river, these vast expanses of water with dense reed beds offer a wintering area and exceptional stopping place in Rhône-Alpes: with 2/3 of the wintering ducks in the area, and 240 species reported including 80 breeding. This site is also recognized as having a Community interest under NATURA 2000 for its biodiversity. It is also an important slab site. Coming from the high chain of the Jura, the male Elaphe deer join the females gathered in herds in the alluvial forest of Etournel during the rut (called the slab). The hoarse and powerful cry of France's largest deer echoes for miles around from mid-September to mid-October. An Inter-Prefectural Biotope Protection Order regulates attendance during these periods. An ambitious work program was conducted from 2017 to 2019, in particular to channel attendance. An interpretation trail accessible to all and a part of all handicaps was inaugurated in 2019. This trail allows to discover the riches (accessibility for the ill and blind and people with reduced mobility). The entire site is protected by an Interprefectory Order for the Protection of Biotope (AIPB): signs recalling all the regulations are available on site. For example, swimming is strictly prohibited on all ponds, such as access to reed beds and banks of the Rhone. Dogs must be kept on a leash. No fire, camping or noise, etc.

The National Natural Reserve of the High Jura mountain range is the fourth largest natural reserve in mainland France. A place of condensed nature, this reserve aims to preserve landscapes such as mountain pastures, dry grasslands, mountain pine and the dizzying cliffs looking over the Alps mountain range. Home to the western capercaillie, the golden eagle, the shirt-toed snake eagle, the chamois and the lynx, as well as other species with evocative names, you can roam through this reserve while respecting certain rules intended to protect the fauna, flora and the livestock farmers striving to maintain the quality of its environments and landscapes.

In 1815, Geneva was a member of the Swiss Confederation and was surrounded by the kingdoms of Piedmont-Sardinia and France. In 1860, Savoie was annexed to France. Along the border, we can still discover the border marker no. 1 which marks the western-most point of Switzerland . Lavishly carved and dating from 1816, it faces the eagle with outspread wings of the kingdom of Sardinia, on the Genevois coat of arms. It is a milestone on the old path leading from Chancy to Vuache, highly frequented in the 17th and 18th centuries and now fallen into disuse. A bit further on, 3 wooden staircases allow the coastal path to cross the 3 successive levels of submerging into the Rhône (terraces) carved in the fluvio-glacial alluviums.

Dedicated to St-Eusèbe, a small building from the 13th century (stone pointed arch door) whose facade is topped with a tower. It is equipped with imposing cut-stone buttresses. The chancel, according to Edmont Ganter, is in a Cistercian style, with a broken-bow barrel vault and a lancet arch window in the rear wall. On this wall we find a piscina to the right of the altar and a tabernacle for the Blessed Sacrament.

The Gralet mountain pasture is marked by a rugged and rocky topography, made up of small inclines and forest areas. Here, the dry grasslands grow on thin soils. Sedum grows on the bare rocky inclines and attracts the Apollo caterpillar. During the height of summer, this large white butterfly with red eyespots is easy to spot amongst the multitude of smaller orange species such as the heath fritillary or darker species like the woodland ringlet.

Renovated in 1989, the typical Gralet chalet, located at an altitude of 1450 metres, has a kitchen, attached to the sheep-pen, and a 19-bed dormitory. These two rooms are freely-accessible (although on “reservation” with the Péron town hall for hiking groups). The rest of the building is reserved for the alpine farmer.

Magnificent views of the entire Lake Geneva basin and Mont Blanc. The view is breathtaking: in the foreground, Lake Geneva, and in the background, the Alps with the majestic Mont Blanc.

According to the archives, the name of this place refers to a hollow passage in the mountains (creux means hollow), and the word"Arderans", from "Ardé", refers to a very high and uneven land, full of stones and rocks. It is located within the Haute Chaine du Jura National Nature Reserve. Its regulations must be respected.

The project and the execution of the works were carried out by Sadi Carnot, then engineer of the Bridges and Roads of Haute-Savoie before meeting a political destiny which would lead him on to the Presidency of the French Republic, which is where the name originates from. The construction of this spot - made with cut stone at the heights of Le Vuache, at the place known as "la Forge", began in 1868 to be completed in 1873 due to the war of 1870. It has two particularities: a large arch to resist the violence of the floods of the Rhône and two divisions, imposed by the Ministry of War, in order to allow a limited destruction of the bridge in the event of hostilities.

Built in 1844, in the Neo-Classical style with a Basilica layout. The square bell tower has a clock on three sides, each clock facing a hamlet. The interior of the church is lavish. Two benches of the lords of Viry remain in place with the carved coat of arms "Virtute Viry" (strength is born of virtue). The family vault can be found below. The chapel of the lords was previously locked. The old church, demolished in 1843, was deemed shapeless and without structure by Claude Louis Naz, the vicar of Viry. The interior pillars and pilasters are made from sandstone and molasse coming from the tower and buttresses of the old church. The cut limestone was extracted from Mont Salève (quarry above the Grand Châble)

A former cheese farm has been divided into two sections: one is a shop to discover and buy the cheeses and meats on offer, and the other is a restaurant to taste the regional specialities. The Fromagerie is open for breakfast, lunch or dinner, offering hearty meals with a traditional added touch of the Savoyarde region. Come and visit the shop and buy some local products to make a picnic or to taste and share with friends and family when you go back home. (Cheese, deli meats, bread, pastries, groceries, local newspapers)

The Bouchon Lyonnais on the outskirts of Geneva. The staff at the Café du Rhône will welcome you every weekday lunchtime. Gégé and Guillaume work hand-in-hand with Jean-Marc who is the inspiration and chef of this well-established local restaurant. After 20 years of service in the city of Lyon, Jean-Marc has gone back to the Rhône to concoct his local specialities for you: Lyon salad bowl Warm lamb tongue with an invigorating sauce Andouillette Homemade pike quenelles with crayfish sauce Tête de veau (Head of veal) Liver gâteau and many other local specialities to discover such as The tablier de sapeur Tripe stew Gourmet cuisine with a touch of the brasserie atmosphere. The Café de Rhône has a summer terrace area in the sunny courtyard. There is another room upstairs for up to 60 people.

Offers a regional and creative cuisine including: fondues, perch fillets, tartiflette, frog legs... Dinners or parties can also be organised. Regional and creative cuisine: Filets de perches, fondues, frogs' legs, malakoffs. Organization of parties and banquets.

Want to spend a simple and friendly time? It is in Georennes that you must go. His Bistrot will welcome you around a homemade pizza or a board of local products to share; all in a mountain setting. Sale of pizzas to take away every day depending on the menu. Reservation by phone.

The M, a gourmet restaurant, offers quality cuisine, simple and refined, a personalized welcome, a breathtaking panorama and many other secrets of which Domaine des Avenières is full. After a long and very rewarding experience in haute gastronomy at the Château des Avenières restaurant, the Odin family decided to turn the page in 2017 to create a new restaurant, the M, a gourmet restaurant whose chic and elegant brasserie concept perfectly illustrates their state of mind and their conception of the business: to be as close as possible to customers, offering them a sensory experience in harmony with nature via quality, simple and refined terroir cuisine, a personalized welcome, a breathtaking panorama, and many other secrets in which the Domaine des Avenières abounds.

Passionate about whisky, Jean-Pierre has spent a lot of time behind his bar creating cocktails. In the evening, the bar has a great atmosphere with its plush décor and combines mixology with bistro- and restaurant-style dishes.

At the summit of Mount Salève, the Observatoire offers you a traditional, simple but generous cuisine. Relax over a cup of real hot chocolate, just like you can at grandma's At the summit of Mount Salève and twenty minutes' walk from the cable car station, you will find what you need to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. In the sunshine or curled up on a sofa, you are guaranteed a relaxing time. And especially look out over the 360-degree view of our beautiful region.... Not to be missed!

The Gralet refuge is located in the Haute Chaîne du Jura, along the GR Balcon du Léman - GTJ hiking trail, at an altitude of 1460 m. The refuge offers 10 places on reservation, with 4 places reserved for hikers passing through. Self-catering, the refuge has simple facilities: a communal kitchen with a wood-burning stove (no gas). Visitors are expected to respect the premises, clean up after themselves and bring back their garbage. Drinking water is available from the underground cistern using an outrigger pump, fed by rainwater and snowmelt. The use of purifying tablets is recommended.

A refuge set in an alpine farmhouse built in 1834 in Péron, offering an ideal getaway in the heart of nature. Located at an altitude of 1 446m in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, this picturesque refuge welcomes you in an authentic, rustic setting, ideal for mountain hikers. The refuge comprises 2 distinct sections : a refuge and a gîte. The refuge part offers comfortable and simple living conditions, with welcoming bedrooms, a cosy common room and a fully-equipped kitchen for preparing meals. Open all year round, it can accommodate up to 8 people, with 6 mattresses available for hikers. Equipped with a wood -burning stove for warming up in winter, a table for eating and a shelter in case of bad weather, the refuge allows visitors to rest and spend the night in peace. Renovated in 2022, with walls and roof insulated with burnt wood planks, it also features solar panels for room lighting and USB sockets for visitors' convenience. Wood is supplied by the association to fuel the stove. The gîte section is reserved exclusively for residents of the commune of Péron. To obtain the key, you need to reserve via the Mairie de Péron website and go to the Mairie to collect it, accessible via the “Availability and reservations” tab. Upstairs, under the roof, the gîte offers 14 beds, where you can be awakened by the gentle rays of sunshine filtering through the velux windows. On the first floor, a wood -burning stove warms the space and allows you to prepare your meals, accompanied by a gas stove and a complete assortment of utensils and pots and pans. Outside, a source of non-potable water allows you to recharge at the source. This will enable you to clean your cooking utensils. It's important to remember to bring drinking water with you. The fire pit is the perfect place to enjoy wood-fired dishes and keep warm on those balmy nights at the top of the Jura mountains.

Welcome to Chalet du Sac, a basic refuge nestled in the heart of the mountains, offering an authentic and relaxing experience. Located at an altitude of 1381 meters, this rustic chalet is only accessible on foot, offering a secluded retreat in the middle of the wilderness. The Col du Sac shelter is on the GR "Balcon du Léman" trail. It can also be reached from Menthières or the Charnaz parking lot. Conditions at Chalet du Sac are simple: 6 bunks with mattresses and blankets, a wood-burning stove and a communal area for eating and relaxing. It's the ideal place for hikers and nature lovers looking for a mountain getaway away from the hustle and bustle of the city. To book your stay, please contact the refuge manager in advance, especially in high season. Enjoy a unique experience at Chalet du Sac, where the calm and beauty of the Alpine landscape invite you to recharge your batteries away from everyday life. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. Please pay close attention to the boundary markers and to the regulations in force before going there. It is your responsibility to respect the site, clean up after yourself and take your garbage with you.

At La Valserine campsite, you're ideally placed to explore the Monts-Jura valley via its many signposted footpaths included GTJ, providing an ideal starting point for your outdoor adventures. This eco-friendly campsite, certified by the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, welcomes you to a green and shaded setting on the banks of the peaceful La Valserine river, certified as a wild river. Located at the entrance to the village of Chézery-Forens, in the commune of Monts-Jura, our establishment offers 44 high-quality pitches, as well as chalets, mobile homes and eco-lodges equipped for 2 to 6 people, canvas lodges for 4 people and bivouac cabins. Enjoy our new heated lagoon spa pool, open in summer, and the snack bar, and discover our eco-grazing animals such as Soay sheep, rabbits and chickens. Children can have fun in our play area equipped with swings and a slide. Our rentals are open from February, and we provide a charging station for electric vehicles (7 kW).

Discover this unique gîte d'étape in a former 16th-century abbey, in the heart of the village and adjacent to the owners' inn. The second floor offers a spacious living room with kitchenette and sitting area, ideal for relaxing after a day of adventures. On the second floor, you'll find four quality bedrooms, each with a full en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, washbasin). The bedrooms vary, with one double, three large rooms each offering two distinct spaces (one with four single beds, two others with a bunk bed and three single beds). Nestled in the Parc Naturel du Haut Jura and close to the Pays de Gex, this is the perfect place for an extended stay or a stopover. Take advantage of the local hiking trail (GR), fish in the Valserine and discover the local cheese factory. Winter sports enthusiasts will love the alpine skiing and snowshoeing trails in the village of Lélex, just 12 km away.

In the heart of the village of Chézery-Forens in the Parc Naturel du Haut-Jura, the gîte "Chez Dario" is just a stone's throw from the river La Valserine and 12 km from the Monts-Jura resort, ideal for skiers and snowshoe trekking. The gîte has been carefully arranged by Françoise so that you will find all the comfort and pleasure you need for a perfect stay in the mountains. At "Chez Dario" you will find : - a large living room - well equipped fitted kitchen, a balcony with direct access to the outside. - communicating living room that can be converted into an independent bedroom with a comfortable double bed - independent WC and washbasin - On the first floor, two independent bedrooms, each with 2 single beds side by side, with a small desk. One bedroom has a ground floor access to the village square. - Shower room, Italian shower - Separate WC. Bicycle and motorbike garage available. It was once the boys' school and is named after a much-loved Italian woodcutter. Since the 12th century Chézery has a long history with a busy abbey in the Middle Ages. In 2019 the house was completely refurbished.

Traditional, detached farmhouse (174 sq.m.) overlooking Valserine valley below the Haut Jura mountains. Wonderful mountain views, extensive outdoor area, Peaceful and attractive setting. Ground floor: entrance in old workshop leading to large living room: kitchen opening onto dining area and fireside. Half-level up: shower room, WC, lounge area (DVD). 1st floor: 4 spacious bedrooms (160cm wide bed, cot) (2 single beds) (2 single beds) (double bed), shower room (walk-in shower), separate WC. Heating: wood and wood pellets. BBQ. Hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing on the doorstep. Fishing, cross-country et downhill skiing, climbing nearby. Only 1 dog, Snowshoe hire possible on-site.

Newly built and beautifully decorated gîte in a small mountain hamlet Peace and nature await you in this apartment on the first floor of the owner's house. It comprises a large living room with sofa bed, fully equipped kitchen, large bedroom, bathroom with toilet, laundry room and south-facing terrace. Ideally located at the start of hiking trails and 1 km from the village of Chézery.

Treat yourself to a relaxing interlude with family or friends, in the heart of the Menthières mountains, where the peace, scenery and fresh air will guarantee you a rejuvenating stay. This former dairy is part of the Menthières-Station Monts-Jura family estate, located at an altitude of 1,000 m. Enjoy four recently renovated gîtes combining modern comfort with mountain-style decor. The estate comprises two gîtes for two to six people and two gîtes for two to eight people, all with fully-equipped kitchens and shower rooms with WCs. Ideal for hikers, sports enthusiasts, families and friends, summer and winter alike. Maximum capacity: 28 beds. All 4 gîtes can be rented on a group basis. Gîte “Les Jonquilles” on the 1st floor with PRM access via the terrace: 1 bedroom with 4 beds (1 x 140cm bed and 2 x 90cm bunk beds), living room/kitchen with possibility of 2 beds, 1 shower room and 1 toilet adapted for people with reduced mobility.

Whether you're with family or friends, come and enjoy the peace and quiet, the mountain scenery and the fresh air of Menthières for a most pleasant stay. This former dairy is part of the Menthières-Station Monts-Jura family estate, located at an altitude of 1,000 m. Enjoy four recently renovated gîtes combining modern comfort and mountain-style decor. The estate comprises two gîtes for two to six people and two gîtes for two to eight people, all with fully-equipped kitchens and shower rooms with WCs. Ideal for hikers, sports enthusiasts, families and friends, summer and winter alike. Maximum capacity: 28 beds. All 4 gîtes can be rented on a group basis. Gîte “La Marjolaine”, located on the 2nd floor, has 1 bedroom with 4 beds (1 x 160cm and 2 x 90cm trundle beds), a living room/kitchen with the option of sleeping 2, 1 shower room and 1 toilet.