Nature is awakening: the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining on us more and more… We just love this time of year!
It’s also the perfect time to get out and about in the great outdoors: hiking, walking and markets are all part of the programme. And much more besides… So get out and enjoy what spring has to offer in Pays de Gex and its Monts Jura resort.
Go green with walks and hikes
If there’s one season that makes you want to get out and about, it’s spring. And in Pays de Gex – Monts Jura you’re in for a treat. Here, hiking isn’t just a sport, it’s also a philosophy. And with 500 kilometres of signposted footpaths, you have the opportunity to indulge in this activity to the full.
You might say that, with so many possibilities, it’s sometimes difficult to make a choice. So we’ve put together a selection of our favourite walks. We trust you to keep this to ourselves!
Before you set off on your adventure in your best walking boots, we’d like to give you a few tips and tricks to help you prepare for your hike.
Caution!
Some of the trails are located in the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, so please respect the regulations specific to this area.
Are you more of a leisurely stroller? Is a 3-hour walk not for you? No problem, we can adapt to your needs in Pays de Gex – Monts Jura. We also have other suggestions.
Trying new things
Spring is also the season of possibilities. We’ve got some great activities for you to discover. From the quietest to the most rhythmic, which one will appeal to you most?
Fishing
Did you know that you can go fishing in the Pays de Gex? In fact, we have many rivers and streams, over 400 kilometres of them, where you can enjoy this activity.
You can fish in the Valserine, France’s first wild river, which is home to trout and grayling.
The Etang de Cessy is also an ideal place to start with your little ones. With a bit of luck, one of the members of the Amicale des Pêcheurs de l’Étang de Cessy association will be on hand to give you a few tips. What’s more, you’ll be able to meet mallards, coots and dragonflies… A great time ahead.
A new fishing school has opened in Thoiry. Jonathan Neuville, instructor-guide, offers introductory and advanced courses, with a wide range of techniques (spinning, lures, fly fishing).
Now you have no excuse to get started!
Tobogganing on rails and zip-lining
This year, you’re in luck! You won’t have to wait until summer to experience this unique moment. Both facilities will be open for the Ascension and Whitsun weekends. Then every Saturday and Sunday from June onwards. Isn’t it great to be able to take advantage of them in spring?
The giant zip line on the Col de la Faucille will have you flying like a bird over the Valserine valley. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled – it would be a shame to miss such a spectacle!
Rail sledging, meanwhile, is the perfect way to share a moment of fun together. With its twists and turns and descents, all you’ll want to do is repeat the experience. And just as well, you can buy several descents and save money. Ain’t life grand?
We’re eating locally, of course!
What would it be to discover a place without sampling its culinary specialities and local produce?
Where I come from, we enjoy our food all year round, but even more so in spring. We won’t tell you otherwise in Pays de Gex – Monts Jura. But how? That’s what we’ll explain below.
The markets
If you’re looking to stock up on good, tasty produce, we recommend you visit one of the Pays de Gex markets. The must-sees are Ferney-Voltaire on Saturday mornings and Divonne-les-Bains on Sunday mornings. More than 200 traders are waiting to welcome you: honey, cheeses, meat and fish… All the ingredients you need to make great recipes.
Not available on market days? You can visit goat farms and buy cheese directly on the spot.
The producers
We recommend the Noirecombe goat farm. You can buy fresh, semi-dried or mature goat’s cheeses, as well as yoghurts. You can go there with your eyes shut!
Do you have a sweet tooth (and so do we) and want to try even more cheeses? There’s just one address where you can fill up on them: the fromagerie de l’Abbaye in Chézery-Forens. For the record, this is the very last cheese dairy in the Pays de Gex still to produce Bleu de Gex. So you’re bound to leave with a piece. Of course, we also recommend Comté! But there are so many varieties to try!
Why not accompany this delicious cheese with a drink?
On the beer front, Bière Yourself and Brasserie Gessienne are sure to delight fans of yellow gold. For those who like spirits, the Gessienne distillery will be delighted to show you its creations and the Domaine de Mucelle will be delighted to let you taste some fine Gessian wines.
In addition, many restaurants in the Pays de Gex invite you to savour their dishes based on the local products mentioned above. These include the Restaurant de la Gare in Gex, Le Bois Joly in Crozet, Le Refuge de Florimont…
Bonus: you save money with your accommodation
Going on holiday at this time of year also means saving money on your accommodation! Yes, when the winter season is over, so are the prices! What’s more, there are fewer people in the spring, so there are plenty of bargains to be had. Don’t hesitate to consult our booking site to see what accommodation is still available.
All that's left to do is pack your bags. Don't forget your walking shoes and rucksack.
Thematics
