What to do in Baume-les-Messieurs, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France?

Perched at an altitude of 330 metres in the Jura, lies Baume-les-Messieurs, a small village of barely 200 inhabitants. Small, but highly regarded, as it is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, has been awarded the distinction of"favourite village of the French", and is one of the "Great European Cultural Routes".

Baume-les-Messieurs: a village halfway between simplicity and spirituality

If you are visiting Baume-les-Messieurs, you should of course take the time to discover its sumptuous green landscapes and the beautiful walking routes that the village offers, but you should also admire its famous Imperial Abbey. It is this abbey, "the inspiration for the foundation of the Cluny order, which spread throughout the medieval West", which makes Baume-les-Messieurs a village that combines "simplicity with spirituality", as stated in the book Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.

Throughout the Middle Ages, in the heart of a typical Jurassic landscape formed by the Seille, the monastery of Balma enjoyed its hours of glory. So much so that Frederick Barbarossa (emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1155 to 1190) made it an imperial abbey. The abbey is architecturally rich (early Romanesque, 16th-century alterations) and consists of several conventual buildings, a 16th-century Flemish altarpiece, a chapel of tombs and Burgundian statuary.

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What to do in Baume-les-Messieurs?

Visit the Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Baume-les-Messieurs: as mentioned above, the Benedictine abbey of Baume-les-Messieurs could be considered the main tourist attraction of the village. What should you discover during your visit to this place steeped in history? Its Flemish altarpiece from the 16th century and statuary from the 15th century, its Chapel of the Tombs, its nave built according to the Benedictine rule with a pavement of some forty tombstones, and its pretty sculpted portal from the 15th century.
The Grottes de Baume: nestling at a depth of 120 metres, the Grottes de Baume are awe-inspiring for many tourists. The caves open onto a 70-metre entrance and then offer numerous galleries over a distance of almost one kilometre, some of which are up to 80 metres high. The bonus? An underground river and lake that are home to bats and blind shrimp!
The Tufs waterfall: at the bottom of the Reculée is the Tufs waterfall, one of the most famous in the Jura, and especially one of the most beautiful in France. Its water comes from the Dard, an underground river which emerges from the earth after having passed through the caves. This magnificent waterfall, which can be visited throughout the year, is the starting point for many walks.
Horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking in the Reculée: located in the middle of nature, the village of Baume-les-Messieurs is ideal for hiking enthusiasts. The famous Tufs waterfall is the starting point for a walk along the "Échappée Jurassienne", an emblematic route that crosses the Jura mountains. It is also possible to access the belvederes at the top of the cirque to contemplate the panoramic landscapes and the view over the village.

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What to discover around Baume-les-Messieurs?

Château-Chalon (12 km): perched on the edge of a cliff, Château-Chalon is a village that has a lot to offer tourists: it is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, it has the "Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté" label, and it and its surroundings are classified as a "wine-growing landscape". It must be said that Château-Chalon is a high point in the history of winegrowing in the department. It is, in fact, the place that gave its name to a famous wine... the Vin jaune de Château-Chalon, of course!
The Château du Pin d'Arlay (16 km): right in the heart of the vineyards, the Château du Pin d'Arlay, also known as the Château de Proby, is located at the foot of the ruins of an ancient 11th century fortified castle. Since 1996, the Château du Pin has been classified as a historical monument and remains open to tourists during the summer. Formerly called "Château de la Garde-Chemin", it was used in the past - after the construction of its famous keep in 1252 - to control the convoys of salt coming from the saltworks of Lons. Between the 18th century and the 20th century, many owners followed one another. Until a certain Trouillot transformed the property into a winery.
Lake Chalain (25 km): Nestled in the heart of a forest surrounded by mountains, Lake Chalain is a 232-hectare glacial lake located in the commune of Fontenu, near Marigny and Doucier, in the Jura. It is the largest lake in the Jura. With three beaches, it offers tourists the possibility to enjoy its turquoise waters while doing a multitude of activities!
The Hérisson waterfalls (30 km): located in the Terre d'Émeraude community -a community of French communes located in the Jura and the district of Lons-le-Saunier- the Hérisson waterfalls are very popular with tourists. Located in the Reculée, in the middle of which flows the Hérisson torrent, the Cascades du Hérissons are however difficult to access and reserved for experienced hikers, which helps preserve the fauna and flora of this exceptional site.

The most beautiful villages in France can also be discovered in the GEO special edition currently on sale at newsstands.

Find out more about Veules-les-Roses in the official guide Les Plus Beaux Villages de France!

The Most Beautiful Villages in France PBVF