Explore, Experience and Enjoy
"La Petite Maisonnette" is situated in the heart of the "region of the lakes", in the Jura department of France. A land rich in history and natural beauty. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy glacial lakes, river systems, waterfalls and forests or visiting charming villages classified among "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" certification (meaning "The Most Beautiful Villages in France") and among the "Cités de Caractère" (meaning "Villages of Charm") of the Bourgogne-Franche Comté region
Activities
Whatever your passion for the outdoors, we have you covered! With an abundance of lakes and rivers in the region, there are many places to Canoe or Kayak. In the summer months, the beaches of the lakes will surely be on your itinerary. You can swim in the nearest Lake Chalain, the largest natural Lake in the Jura region, among others. If fishing is your hobby, no doubt you can profit from the lake and river systems during the fishing season Regardless of the season, it's always possible to enjoy the nature with a hike, a walk or a bike ride in the rich forestry surrounds. Climbing and via ferrata are also possible in several locations. Subterranean caves await your exploration a short drive away During the winter months, you can enjoy the ski fields and snow racket trails of Saint-Laurent, Chaux du Dombief, Bellefontaine, Les Marais, Les Rousses and Métabief
Attractions
Being located in the "Pays des Lacs" (Lake Region) and in the "Parc du Haut-Jura" (Haut-Jura National Park), you will have all the major lakes - Chalain, Ilay, Narlay, Clairvaux, Vouglans - and the famous Cascades du Hérisson at your doorstep Explore the medieval monastery at Baume-les-Messieurs or Château-Chalon, perched high on the hill and surrounded by the vineyards below which are the cradle of the typical "Vin Jaune" ("Yellow Wine") You can visit the neo-classical city of Dole where the physician and chemist Louis Pasteur was born in 1822, the pipe museum of Saint-Claude, the Middle-Age village of Nozeroy or the beautiful hamlet of Ornans, that was the inspiration of the renowned French painter Gustave Courbet. The spa and salt town of Salins-les-Bains are also worth discovering
Food & Drink
Situated in the Franche-Comté region, our most obvious export is the Comté cheese (and other dairy products of course!), that you can purchase from the several “Fruitières” (Cheese Shops) scattered along the way – the closest Fruitière is located in Doucier, where the cheese is produced from milk produced from a local farmer in Saffloz Follow the “Route du Comté” and the “Route des Vins” (meaning the “Trails of the Comté Cheese and of the Local Wine”) and be sure to sample other local cheeses like the Tome du Jura, Morbier, Cancoillotte and the famous Mont d’Or. Make sure to stop at Poligny, the 'capital of Comté' On the way, our abundant varieties of wine from the Arbois region, the center of the Jura’s wine industry, and all the other Jura's famous Vin Jaune, Poulsard, Crémant du Jura, Macvin de Jura await your tasting! Don’t forget to try some local specialties such as the fondue with Comté, the Morbiflette or the saucisse de Morteau (local sausage dish). You can also taste farmed trouts freshly fished by yourselves from some local restaurants around us and have them cooked on the spot for you! And as a dessert, stop at the "Glace de la Ferme" (ice cream from the Farm), in Fontenu, where ice cream is produced in small batches from local cows milk
