Attractions and Places To See around Bannans - Top 20

La Cluse-et-Mijoux is a pretty village nestled at the bottom of a valley in the Jura Mountains. Busy with cars heading to Switzerland, the town boasts a wide range of shops and services. History buffs can visit Fort de Joux or Fort Malher, which overlook La Cluse-et-Mijoux. Several chapels (Saint-Léger and Saint-Claude) also dot the outskirts of the town.

The complex is impressive even from the outside and, despite its 1,000-year-old and eventful history, is still in good condition. It has been continuously modernized to accommodate the latest military and artillery technologies.

Village located between the Joux fortified castle and Fort Malher

Very pretty little town.

This lake, known for its bright blue water, crosses the Doubs in a 'valley'. This lake once formed one large body of water together with Lake Remoray. The lake is 6.3 km long and 800m wide, making it the fourth largest natural lake in France. In winter it freezes. By constructing a dam on the north side, it helps regulate the water of the Doubs.

The Église Saint-Bénigne in Pontarlier is a church dating from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. This church combines Romanesque, Gothic and Franc-Comtoise style elements. The striking clocher porch is topped with an imperial domed roof, also known as a clocher comtois, a traditional feature of Franche-Comté. The roof is covered with glazed tiles. The Église Saint-Bénigne is located in the Haut-Doubs and is dedicated to Saint Bénigne. Since May 19, 1970, the building has been registered as a historical monument. Historically, the church was almost completely rebuilt between 1651 and 1666 on the same site as an original 11th century Romanesque church, of which almost nothing remains (except a 15th century portal). This happened after the passage of the troops of Duke Bernard de Saxe-Weimar during the Thirty Years' War. In 1666 the church was rededicated in honor of Saint Bénigne. The church has suffered serious damage over time from two fires, one in 1680 and one during the Pontarlier fire of 1736. The clocher porch was rebuilt in 1681, and the imperial dome was added in 1753 by architect Nicolas Nicole. In 1970 the church underwent a major restoration, and in 1974 new stained glass windows were created by artist Alfred Manessier and the Lorin de Chartres workshops. The organ, which dates from 1758 and is in Louis XV style, was restored in 1844 and again in 1982.

Pontarlier is a mountain town located 837 meters above sea level in the heart of the Jura Mountains. As the capital of Haut Doubs, it is located at the entrance to a vast area of protected natural areas, where forests, lakes and green meadows are essential for the production of Mont d'Or and Comté cheese. Pontarlier was once known worldwide for its production of absinthe at the beginning of the last century. Today, the city has revived this tradition, with two distilleries once again producing absinthe.

The view of the mountain fortress of Château de Joux and the Fort du Larmont Inférieur is impressive.