Attractions and Places To See around Morteau - Top 20

The region around Morteau is rich in natural beauty. A must-see is the spectacular Saut du Doubs Waterfall, a 27-meter high waterfall on the Franco-Swiss border, flowing into the Doubs lakes. You can also visit Lançot Waterfall, known for its wild romantic basin, especially after recent rains. The Brenets Lake, nestled in the Jura massif, offers serene views and boat tours.

Morteau boasts a rich history, particularly in watchmaking. You can explore the Château Pertusier, a 1576 Renaissance mansion that houses the Musée de l'Horlogerie (Watchmaking Museum). The Hôtel de Ville, dating back to 1590, features impressive towers and a unique sundial. The 15th-century Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is also notable for its architecture and historical significance.

Morteau and its surroundings offer a wide range of outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking and cycling on numerous routes. For cycling enthusiasts, there are dedicated guides for gravel biking, road cycling, and general cycling routes. Other activities include canoeing on the Doubs River, archery, tree climbing, and cross-country skiing in winter.

Yes, several attractions are suitable for families. The Brenets Lake offers relaxing boat tours that families can enjoy. The La Brévine Weather Station, known as the "Siberia of Switzerland" for its cold temperatures, is an interesting educational stop. Additionally, the Nautical Center Du Val De Morteau provides swimming pools, play facilities, and a beach for recreational fun.

For breathtaking panoramic views, you can ascend Mont Châteleu, which stands at 1302 meters and features an orientation table. Mont Vouillot, at 1141 meters, also offers an orientation table and from its "Calvaire," you can see the entire Val de Morteau, and even the Alps on clear days.

The warmer months, from spring to autumn, are ideal for hiking, cycling, and canoeing on the Doubs River. During winter, Morteau transforms into a destination for cross-country skiing, with 80 km of tracks available. The Lançot Waterfall is particularly impressive after recent rains, which can occur throughout the year.

Yes, you can combine a boat trip on the Brenets Lake with a hike. From April to autumn, you can take an excursion boat and choose to hike along the lakeshore, then glide back by boat. Information on prices and departure times can be found on local tourism websites.

Morteau is renowned for its local specialty, the Morteau sausage (Saucisse de Morteau). This protected product is known for its unique smoky flavor, traditionally from spruce wood, and is a significant part of the local gastronomy. You can learn more about it through visits to local producers like the Tuyé du Papy Gaby.

Absolutely. The Défilé d'Entre-Roches is a stunning canyon carved by the Doubs River, offering steep cliffs and picturesque gorges between Ville-du-Pont and Morteau. A marked trail of approximately 13 km allows you to discover sights like the Grotte au Trésor and the Remonot gorges, which include the Notre-Dame de Remonot chapel and caves.

Visitors frequently praise the breathtaking scenery and the feeling of being immersed in nature. For instance, the Saut du Doubs Waterfall is often described as magnificent, evoking a sense of being in Canadian canyons. The shady gorge along the Doubs is also popular for rides during hot summer days, and the wild romantic basin of Lançot Waterfall is a community favorite.

Yes, the Ligne des Horlogers (Watchmakers' Line) is a railway line that connects Morteau with other significant clockmaking destinations, including Besançon (a UNESCO town), Le Locle, and La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland. This offers an eco-friendly and scenic way to explore the Pays Horloger region and its rich watchmaking heritage.