Discover Lons-Le-Saunier

Lons-le-Saunier combines a thermal history with historic urban spaces, collections and green paths. First consider whether salt-rich water, the city’s history, museum themes or a route through a valley should shape your stay.

Thermal tradition and tree diversity

The Valvital thermal baths have been making use of the benefits of salt-rich water since 1892. This gives the thermal theme a tangible connection to Lons-le-Saunier: the water and its use are at the heart of it. If you are considering wellness as a travel motivation, you can understand this place through its water tradition.

Parc des Bains offers a different emphasis. It is home to rare tree species from all five continents. By contrast, salt-rich water is the focus at the thermal baths, while the park foregrounds the diversity and origins of its trees. This lets you distinguish two very different aspects of the city rather than planning them as one and the same experience.

Salt history and historic urban spaces

Puits-Salé marks the original site of the town of Lons-le-Saunier. In the past, naturally emerging brine was evaporated there to produce salt. The site connects the history of salt with a specific historic process: salt was obtained from brine through evaporation. This differs from the use of salt-rich water at the thermal baths.

Rue des Arcades also tells the story of the town’s development. It preserves more than 140 arcades and a commercial tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Architectural heritage and the history of trade come together here. The number of arcades gives a concrete idea of this feature of the street; the commercial tradition dates back to the Middle Ages.

Maison Rouget de Lisle is located in the apartment where Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle was born in 1760. Since 2011, it has carried the “Maison des Illustres” label. Maison de La Vache qui rit is also tied to a specific place: it stands where the brand was founded in 1921. Together, the two houses illustrate different historical connections—the birth of a person and the origins of a brand.

Collections and digital tours

The Musée des Beaux-Arts presents archaeological and natural history collections in temporary exhibitions. This brings together two distinct fields: archaeological finds and the past on the one hand, and natural history on the other. Since the exhibitions change, the specific displays may vary. If you have a particular exhibition theme in mind, check what is currently on show before your visit.

The Archistoire smartphone app offers immersive, geolocated tours of Lons-le-Saunier that are accessible at any time. It allows you to explore the city in a digital format, with tours connected to specific locations. This is another way to experience the city, alongside its historic houses, street and museum collections.

On the move and at the market

Voie PLM runs as a greenway through the Vallière Valley, following the former Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée railway line between Lons-le-Saunier and the Lakes region. The route thus combines the history of a former railway line with a path through the valley. The surface and access conditions may change; check them before your outing.

Another way to include a specific date in your plans is the Grand marché du jeudi. The food market takes place on Thursday mornings at Place de Verdun. Check the date before your trip to make sure your plans fit the market schedule.

Discover more destinations: Thoirette, La Favière, Grange-De-Vaivre, Lac Des Rouges Truites, Baume-Les-Messieurs, Voiteur, Uxelles, Chambéria.

For the broader travel overview: Jura.