Nozeroy: History of the fortified town and trails in the Jura

Nozeroy sits on a hill on the second Jura plateau, overlooking the Val de Mièges and the course of the Serpentine. The fortified town and its architectural history give the place a cultural focus; at the same time, routes pass through Nozeroy or start there.

The architectural history of the fortified town

Nozeroy was founded in 1264 on the second plateau of the Jura. Construction of the Château des Comtes de Chalon had already begun in 1261 as a fortress at the southwestern end of the rocky promontory. Jean de Chalon made Nozeroy his capital and had a first castle built there. Around 1440, Louis Ier de Chalon-Arlay transformed the Château des Comtes de Chalon into a luxurious residence. The yellow local stone used in its construction earned it the nickname “la perle du Jura” (“the pearl of the Jura”). Volunteers are consolidating the surviving ruins to preserve them.

The Tour de l’Horloge was the main entrance to the fortified town and is listed as a historic monument. It is also one of the few surviving examples of military architecture in Franche-Comté. The Collégiale Saint-Antoine also illustrates the connection between religious architecture and defence: built in the 15th century in place of a 13th-century chapel, it stood on the town walls as part of the defensive system.

Another chapter in the town’s history is the former Saint-Barbe hospital. Founded in 1481, it was rebuilt after the 1639 fire during the French conquest and became a royal hospital. The Église Saint-Antoine was listed as a historic monument by decree on 26 October 1927. Together, these buildings tell of the town’s different functions and its development over several centuries.

Walking tour or mountain biking route

Around twelve QR codes in the historic centre make it possible to take a self-guided historical tour. This lets you combine a walk with learning about the town’s history, without needing a guided tour. For tourist information, the Maison du Tourisme Champagnole Nozeroy Jura has an office in Nozeroy.

For a walk, the “Nozeroy: Sur le sentier de Yoline” circular trail starts at Place des Annonciades. It is rated easy and is 8.3 kilometres long. The “Le val de Mièges - 28R” mountain biking circuit is a different proposition: it passes through Nozeroy, is marked in red and covers 43.2 kilometres. The distance and designated route type clearly distinguish the two options. Check the latest route details and trail conditions before setting out.

A local product

A local product is “beurre de Nozeroy”: the Coopérative beurrière du Val de Mièges in Nozeroy makes it from cream sourced in the Jura and ages it traditionally. The cooperative does not offer direct sales. This product adds another dimension to the town’s architectural history, without requiring you to plan a visit to the producer.

If you are looking for a hotel in Nozeroy, these differences can help you plan your stay: would you like to focus on the historic buildings or choose one of the routes? The route length and designated type provide a concrete basis for comparison; the town’s architectural history offers a focus of its own during your time here.

Discover more destinations: Le Vernois, Menotey, Molamboz, Mouchard, Uxelles, Cuvier (Jura), Le Deschaux, Saint-Julien

For the overview of the wider region: Jura.