Jura
Holiday paradise for active vacationers
In the east of France, right on the border with Switzerland, is the Jura mountain range. Away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and overcrowded tourist magnets, the Jura is a real paradise in every season. In addition to those looking for relaxation from all over the world, hikers, climbers and amateur athletes will also get their money’s worth here. During the spring and summer months, cyclists and hikers, among others, will find the best conditions. Young and old adventurers will also find plenty of variety in the gorges and caves as well as the various waterfalls or the grottoes of Poudrey. Paragliders will also find excellent conditions here, especially when the weather is good. In addition, numerous rare animal and plant species can be found in the Jura. In winter, the region is very popular with cross-country skiers. After all, there are more than 2 here. 500 kilometers of groomed trails in various degrees of difficulty, which annually attract countless winter sports enthusiasts from all over Europe. Every year on the second weekend in February, the community of Lamoura hosts the 76-kilometer Transjurassienne, the second longest cross-country skiing race in the world. Part of the route also leads through Switzerland. Around 4,000 amateur athletes from all over the world take part in the competition, which is known far beyond the French borders.
Sights and specialties
In addition, Pontarlier, one of the highest cities in France, is always worth a detour. Among other things, you shouldn’t miss the small town museum and the impressive Saint-Bénigne church from the 17th century. In Lons-le-Saunier, travelers can follow in the footsteps of the author of the Marseillaise. The house where Louis Pasteur was born awaits visitors in Dole. From a culinary point of view, you shouldn’t miss the Morteau sausage and cheese from the Jura.
Gardens of Marqueyssac
The Les Jardins de Marqueyssac are one of the most popular sights in France, especially for garden lovers. They are in Aquitaine.
Travel to the enchanting gardens of Marqueyssac
The Marqueyssac Gardens are part of Marqueyssac Castle. They are located in Vezac in the Aquitaine region of southwest France and are part of the Dordogne department.
The idyllic gardens are known for their boxwood culture, which enjoys a special status throughout Europe. Anyone taking a trip or study trip to the Dordogne should definitely plan a detour to Marqueyssac to admire the famous gardens, which are also known as the “hanging gardens of Marqueyssac”. The facility is located at a height of 130 meters on a rock spur that lies above the Dordogne. From a vantage point, the visitor can enjoy a magnificent view of the Dordogne River and neighboring towns such as La Roque-Gageac.
Sights and highlights
The Gardens of Marqueyssac is a beautiful, very well-kept, Italian-style park. The historic complex is subject to monument protection and has a size of 22 hectares. A total of six kilometers of walking paths await visitors there, most of which are in the shade. In addition, guests have the opportunity to admire up to 150,000 artistically handcrafted box trees.
Marqueyssac Castle dates back to the 18th century and is a sight in itself. The gardens were designed based on the models of Andre La Notre (1613-1700), who was also responsible for the famous gardens of the Palace of Versailles.
There are various round stone houses, viewpoints and curved avenues in the gardens for visitors to relax. The latter are a typical feature of the era of Emperor Napoleon III. Other attractions include the beautiful peacocks that strut freely in the gardens.
Activities for children
Children also get their money’s worth in the gardens of Marqueyssac. Playgrounds, climbing courses and workshops for handicrafts are offered there. There is also a one hundred meter long treetop path that rises five meters above the ground in the middle of the trees.
Flow Velo
The new “Flow Velo” cycle route in France
If you want to experience the idyllic side of the “Grand Nation” and also feel comfortable in the saddle of a bike, you should opt for a multi-day tour from the Dordogne to the Atlantic. The so-called “Flow Vélo” is a special kind of cycling experience, because the route in western France mostly winds along the picturesque Charente River. This was once the most important transport route for brandy from the Cognac region.
… and a delicious meal in the evening
The “Flow Vélo” is a tour for connoisseurs. So for cyclists who can’t get enough of the idyllic landscape and like to reward themselves in the evening with a delicious meal for the – albeit manageable – exertions of the day. The culinary offerings of the innkeepers in the small villages are astonishing and for this reason alone encourage so many cyclists to take this 290 km long long-distance cycle path from the medieval villages near Périgord to the shores of the Atlantic.
A green and hilly landscape
Since the “Flow Vélo” was only handed over to its destination in 2017, it is one of the youngest long-distance cycle routes in Europe. The starting point is the hilly and green landscape near Thiviers on the threshold of the Périgord-Limousin National Park. In the Charente Valley, the river sets the rhythm of life, and the tour leads past many vineyards and through villages, which you think time has stopped there at some point.
At the destination, the fragrant air of the sea
Those who opt for the “Flow Vélo” cannot actually get lost because the entire route is marked with blue signs. Half of the 290 kilometers leads past the Charente river or small streams and passes the Charente-Maritime, Charente and Dordogne departments. And when the cyclists feel the fragrant air of the sea on their lips, they have reached their final destination. If you feel like it, you can have a transfer to the Ile d’Aix.
