Mournans-Charbonny: Discover Geology and Culture

Mournans-Charbonny can be explored through several distinct themes: the tectonically shaped Baume des Novalets, the “Mon Rêve” museum in the village, and activities in the surrounding area. To help you plan your trip, it is useful to distinguish between the geological features and the cultural and seasonal offerings. This will help you decide whether you want to focus primarily on natural formations, a guided tour or activities in the Jura.

Geology at the Baume des Novalets

The Baume des Novalets is a geological site, particularly notable for its tectonic features. Rare slickenside surfaces and pronounced erosion features can be observed there. The site also includes a collapse area caused by tectonic fault movements. It is almost 200 metres long, about 5 metres wide and, in places, more than 15 metres deep.

These measurements describe different aspects of the formation: its considerable length, relatively narrow width and significant depth in certain places. They give you a concrete idea of what defines the geological character of the Baume. The slickenside surfaces and erosion features add visible clues to the dimensions, revealing the nature of the site.

Planning access to the cave

The Baume des Novalets can be reached by road from the entrance to Mournans. Parking is 1.6 kilometres from the village; from there, a 100-metre forest path leads to the cave entrance. The road journey, the location of the car park and the final stretch on foot are separate parts of finding your way there. Check the condition of the cave and the safety requirements before your visit.

Museum and guided tour

The “Mon Rêve” museum in Mournans-Charbonny covers an area of 1,000 square metres. Guided tours are offered there in 2026. Alongside the geological site, the museum and its guided tour provide a separate focus for your visit. If you would like to include both in your travel plans, ask in advance about the tour date.

Route des Sapins and activities in the area

The nearby Route des Sapins runs between Mournans-Charbonny and Équevillon. This 42-kilometre tourist road runs from Champagnole to Levier through the Jura forest, passing 21 tourist sites along the way. This road route offers a different kind of wayfinding from the 100-metre forest path to the Baume: one describes a tourist route through the forest, while the other is the final access path to the cave entrance.

The nearby Haute Joux Nordic area offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and walking trails. Additional offerings at the access points are seasonal; these also include sled rides, equipment rental and ski school services. The nearby Centre Équestre de la Cavalerie de la Source offers riding lessons for all ages and levels, as well as rides to explore the surrounding area. Booking before arrival is recommended.

In Champagnole, Copains du Bike is listed as a bicycle shop and repair service. If you plan to visit, check the current opening hours beforehand. Together with the Route des Sapins and nearby activities, this service broadens the range of options for your stay; by contrast, the geological formation and museum are the main attractions in Mournans-Charbonny.

Discover more destinations: Entre-Deux-Monts, Écleux, Foncine-Le-Haut, Lac Des Rouges Truites, Lons-Le-Saunier, Rahon, Prenovel, Arbois

For the regional travel overview: Jura.